Failed Physical Test For CNA Today!!Now What??

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I had a job offer from a hospital for a CNA position, provided I passed the health assesment test which included physical strength testing. I failed the test!! I told the nurses who gave the test I had been accepted into the LPN program for the fall and probably would bridge over to RN and she told me I needed to rethink nursing. Now what? I have wanted to do nursing all my life. Yes, I am older (54) and not in the greatest health - but am working on things (have weight loss surgery scheduled for 7/16) and am more active than before. I could not do the lunges without getting off balance, could barely lift 35 pounds and hold it at waist level (no way I would lift 100 lbs at waist level) and in lifting weights over my head in repetitions of 5, had pain in my right shoulder ( I have thoracic outlet, yep I was born with an extra cervical rib). I know nursing is hard work, I just can't stand giving up completely - would it help if I just went on to work on getting into the RN program at my community college? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

This might sound too simple, but how about getting your surgery done, getting completely recovered, and then following the recommended plan for exercise (for maintaining a healthy weight as well as strength-training)?

It seems to me you are definitely NOT in a position to be seeking a job where lifting, bending, pulling, tugging, carrying are all part of the expected routine. Obviously it IS part of what's expected, as there was a minimal test involved--and you weren't up to it at that time. You should expect the same (if not more) from nursing school: it's physically demanding.

Just seems to me that right now you aren't in a position to be deciding your future options, such as whether to do nursing school or not, either. How do you know how your surgery will go? How do you know what your abilities and limitations will be, once you've healed AND have religously stuck to your doctor's recommended exercise routines?

Get yourself fixed up first, get as healthy as you can be, get as FIT as you can be, and then you'll know where you should go next. Just my two cents!

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This might sound too simple, but how about getting your surgery done, getting completely recovered, and then following the recommended plan for exercise (for maintaining a healthy weight as well as strength-training)?

It seems to me you are definitely NOT in a position to be seeking a job where lifting, bending, pulling, tugging, carrying are all part of the expected routine. Obviously it IS part of what's expected, as there was a minimal test involved--and you weren't up to it at that time. You should expect the same (if not more) from nursing school: it's physically demanding.

Just seems to me that right now you aren't in a position to be deciding your future options, such as whether to do nursing school or not, either. How do you know how your surgery will go? How do you know what your abilities and limitations will be, once you've healed AND have religously stuck to your doctor's recommended exercise routines?

Get yourself fixed up first, get as healthy as you can be, get as FIT as you can be, and then you'll know where you should go next. Just my two cents!

Very well said! :D

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

I encourage you to keep to your dreams. It may not be possible now but it sounds like you can get your health under control and have a good future that can include nursing. What about MA training until then? or Phlebotomy training? those don't require much lifting from what I have seen myself in clinicals. And as a phlebotomist you would be that much more valuable as a LVN. :)

I suggested MA and phlebotomist because in my area they are only one semester of training so it's something people do while they are trying to get into the nursing programs.

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nobysarnw,tss,ntgthaesad.

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I don't know what this poster's exact situation is, so I don't know what she should do, but I just wanted to say that I am obese and a nurse and I walked for "miles" up and down halls tonight and have the burning feet to prove it. I also lifted, transferred, tugged, pulled, bent over and everything else that goes with being a floor nurse in a LTC facility. So there's one obese person who walked for "miles and miles" just like every other nurse and will do the same tomorrow and the day after.

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wmrnwwjduag2h.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

I would like to address something that I find offensive in some of the "supportive" posts.

Nothing whatsoever was posted about the OP being treated poorly. And certainly, nothing I see indicated that her (assumed by others) obesity being referred to.

The physical test had nothing to do with obesity....it had to do with being able to lift a relative small amount of weight. And the OP failed this. Not a weigh in, or a health assessment, but a safe lifting test.

Ability to lift an appropriate amount of weight safely has little to do with obesity or lack of - looking at many UPS men and construction workers should demonstrate that. And obesity and or prejudice thereof did not enter in, only the ability to lift safely 35 lbs. And that does have relevance in how and where one can safely work in nursing, especially as a CNA.

There were no prejudicial comments regarding weight made by those urging the OP to improve her skills - because beyond a comment by the OP that she may have WLS, there is no reference to weight at all.

In addition, if the OP had failed a calculation test, and came here asking if the RN program required less calculation - we would answer that yes, though some departments more than others and encourage him/her (as we have) to take training to improve those skills.

We would not automatically assume that the nurse that assessed her was anti-poor math nurse and evilly biased. And then make snitty comments about people that are good at math lording it over others and making them feel bad.

Could we please stop making assumptions about bias when there is no evidence to indicate that?

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PS. I have actually experienced the opposite. When I was in nursing school, I was less than 100lbs (until 7 years ago), and had people discuss that I was too fragile to work as a nurse. I had nasty comments thrown at me for being underweight, and dealt with unfair and false allegations of anorexia. I also found it impossible to buy adult shoes and age appropriate clothing.

I get much less nastiness and have an easier time getting clothes since becoming a size 12/14.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
I had WLS in Aug 05, and I have lost 150lbs. I am 41 next week and I start LVN school on the 25th. Don't let this old bat discourage you. Just take the test again, or go somewhere else. I would still go to school, and who made her God over you and gave her the right to criticize you??

And again, where was the criticism - there was none. And what about the "old bat" comment - is that not incredibly ageist and displaying the same bias that you are arguing against? There was no indication that the testing nurse was old.

The OP failed a test. Pure and simple. The testing nurse was not "playing G-d" ...she was doing the job required of the employer. Using the standards that are applied to all new employees. One does not have to like them, but it still does not indicate in inappropriate intent, rating her an "old bat" and accusing him/her acting like G-d.

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iewbn2eotwwntsamotsmpcitmotn.

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I want to thank everyone for your replies. The health nurse at the hospital was obese herself, so I don't think she had any feelings towards me about me being obese. In fact, she was very helpful - she stated I had great work qualities for more sedentary type work and even showed me where to look to see what other type of jobs the hospital had that I could do. She even went and got me more applications. I did lift the 35 lbs, however, it hurt my lower back to do so. I have let myself get in terrible shape and only have myself to blame. Someone mentioned unit secretary and she looked up the job description and requirements and at this hospital the unit secretary had the same lifting requirements as a CNA (100 lbs). I only wanted to gain some experience in the hospital and they were willing to hire me with no experience, however, I am not able to do CNA work. I love helping people, that is what I am really good at. After the WL surgery and when I am cleared by my doctor, I plan on doing weight training and whatever else I need to do to get in good shape. I didn't have to go on disability in 2001 for no reason, I had to give up a $42,000 a year job. I am just determined not to stay on disability. I do much better when I am up walking around than when I am sitting. I can't sit in a stationary position all day at a computer working (which is what I did for over 21 years). The walking part of nursing would actually be better for me. I am assuming that RN's have more job areas one can go into than LPN's. Is that true? I'm not going to give up my dream, I just have to make sure I get as fit as possible in order to help everyone. Blessings to all.

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nyb, oyb, tss, wtmwgth.

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Family Practice.

Well I'm glad that alot of the nurses that I work with were able to pass their physical at one time or another, because they are larger women and men, but are excellent nurses. I know nurses and CNA's who are so obese that they can barely lift but still have jobs and do it well somehow, thank goodness. So I find it hard to believe they would do that to you. Don't give up, just do what you need to do to increase your strength and keep going for nursing. We need people who truly want to be nurses in this wonderful , yet crazy profession of nursing. And also when they eventually discriminate against my size, I couldn't lift 50 lbs. if my life depended on it, I'm to small and my back is shot. I'd probably do alot of damage to myself, but if the circumstance came up of lifting in a crisis, I'd rise to the occasion. Good Luck in pursuing(sp) nursing.

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