who hard is L&D

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I'm currently a medsurg nurse with a herniated disk about to have surg for it. I am applying for an L&D job and was wondering how physically hard is the job on your back. I spend my days lifting and turning pts for 12hrs, looking to ease up on that type of work. All input welcome. Thanks.

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Specializes in L&D, mother/baby.

If you're looking to ease up in the lifting and moving patients, then L&D doesn't sound like the best move. There is lots of bending, lifting, and twisting...and yes, you still end up lifting of patients in L&D. It most definitely isn't an easier job....but when you're talking about nursing most jobs aren't easy. If you're looking to ease your back, perhaps you would be interested in case management. I have a friend who did that for an insurance company for years.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Forget OB.

I had patients who weighed in excess of 400 pounds, dead weight due to epidural anesthesia, who we had to move from bed to OR table, STAT. Even with FOUR people doing the lifting, that is 100lb per person. Sure you have slides etc, but there is a LOT of lifting, being on your feet for extended times etc in OB. So many feel that it's (OB) the place to go for less lifting, only to realize the moms are getting bigger and heavier all the time and it's plain exhausting much of the time. Even if you never have to go the OR---You are moving people all the time, turning them, repositioning them, holding heavy legs for sometimes in excess of 2 or 3 hours while they push.... etc ....and they can be absolute dead weight due to the epidurals. There is a LOT of lifting to be done in OB, no doubt about it. I would find another specialty.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.
Forget OB.

I had patients who weighed in excess of 400 pounds, dead weight due to epidural anesthesia, who we had to move from bed to OR table, STAT. Even with FOUR people doing the lifting, that is 100lb per person. Sure you have slides etc, but there is a LOT of lifting, being on your feet for extended times etc in OB. So many feel that it's (OB) the place to go for less lifting, only to realize the moms are getting bigger and heavier all the time and it's plain exhausting much of the time. Even if you never have to go the OR---You are moving people all the time, turning them, repositioning them, holding heavy legs for sometimes in excess of 2 or 3 hours while they push.... etc ....and they can be absolute dead weight due to the epidurals. There is a LOT of lifting to be done in OB, no doubt about it. I would find another specialty.

Exactly what she said! I see a chiropractor regular because I would like to continue doing this for 20 more years. After the last two days with an average pt weight of 300 pounds, I feel like I have been hit by a truck! Best wishes!

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Try the NICU. Patients are 10 lbs or less!

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