Has this happened to any of you? I'm shocked..

Nurses New Nurse

Published

So I had been offered a position at a large, regional hospital as an RN. During the physical I was required to divulge all of my medical history. I explained that four years ago I had had brain surgery, which required a laminectomy of my C1 and C2 vertebrae, and I was not supposed to lift any extremely heavy objects. The nurse at employee health told me that I must get a note from my doctor explaining how much I can and cannot lift. I told the nurse I could lift up to 70 pounds (i am 5'5 and weigh 105 pounds so that is a lot for me) she said that's fine and to get the note. I told my doctor what to write on the form and handed it in yesterday to employee health. After I did, another nurse from employee health sat me down and told me that Maryland State Law says Nurses must be able to lift 80 (!) pounds and over and since I couldn't, I couldn't do my job. I was shocked and became very upset! I spoke to her supervisor and the HR rep who'd hired me and I begged them to let me pretend I hadn't come in today and that I could get a note saying I had no restrictions, but they refused and retracted my job offer. I tearfully explained I had turned down many other job offers and had been told this was "no big deal". The HR rep told me, "I didn't know it would be this big of a deal." I feel like I was punished for being honest and am completely shocked. Does anyone have a similar experience? Am I really supposed to believe that all nurses can lift over 80 pounds? Thats almost my whole body weight. I am so scared they are going to call my board of nursing and tell them I have weight restrictions and they will put restrictions on my license. Can they do this? I talked to my doctor and he said he'd give me another note saying I had no weight restrictions, but this hospital told me "It doesn't matter, there's nothing you can do to change our mind." I cannot believe I lost my job over this. Any feedback you guys can give me would really help me. I guess I learned to just keep my mouth shut. But I was trying to build a relationship built on honesty...I guess that was naive.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Today I went back to the hospital (which was humiliating enough!) and asked to see the "Maryland lifting requirements for nurses" and what I received was a generic paper that stated nurses must be able to lift 50 pounds and over. Nothing specific and the paper was a computer print out..certainly not the Maryland Board of Nursing or anything.

Now I'm confused. I thought you said they insisted you be able to lift over 75 pounds.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

On at least two occasions a form listing the physical requirements of the position for which I was applying was provided along with the job application. I had a chance to look at this before I answered the question about my ability to do the job. It wouldn't be a bad idea to ask for this info when applying for jobs. Better yet, to be proactive without drawing attention to yourself, just get the letter from your doctor stating no restrictions, and carry a copy of it whenever you apply for jobs. Answer the question truthfully and provide a copy of the letter. But don't be deceived into thinking that just because you do this, the employer won't find another "reason" for not hiring you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Now I'm confused. I thought you said they insisted you be able to lift over 75 pounds.

Yeah I am too! They told me I had to lift over 80 pounds actually but on the paper they gave me it just said "must be able to lift over 50 pounds". So theres a bit of a discrepancy there...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, SDU, OR, RR, Ortho, Hospice RN.

Good grief I could not lift 80lbs I can 50lbs but not anything heavier.

Seems ridiculoulsy heavy to me!!

I wish you all the very best in finding some work my dear :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I just went on an interview at a hospital in Baltimore this past Thursday and I was asked if I could lift at least 50 lbs because she said it was a state mandated thing that nurses must be able to lift at least 50 pounds - but not 75 !!!!!!!

Sounds like they are misinformed- intentionally - who knows?????

Are you planning on pointing this out to them?

All the literature I've read says nurses must be able to lift 50 pounds. But from what I'm reading on this thread, it sounds like the hospital can have it's own policies on weight requirements. And that's fine but they shouldn't have told me it was "Maryland state law that nurses be able to lift over 80 pounds" because that was not accurate. And I believe they should not have told me that my weight restrictions were "not a big deal" when it actually was. I believe they certainly acted unethically, but I'm not sure they did anything illegal. They thought I could be a liability. But the ironic part is that the reason I disclosed all this information is so that I WOULDN'T be a liability. Isn't it better to know your limitations and get help so that you don't hurt your back so many other nurses out there? I guess not in HR's eyes. Another lesson learned.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
On at least two occasions a form listing the physical requirements of the position for which I was applying was provided along with the job application. I had a chance to look at this before I answered the question about my ability to do the job. It wouldn't be a bad idea to ask for this info when applying for jobs. Better yet, to be proactive without drawing attention to yourself, just get the letter from your doctor stating no restrictions, and carry a copy of it whenever you apply for jobs. Answer the question truthfully and provide a copy of the letter. But don't be deceived into thinking that just because you do this, the employer won't find another "reason" for not hiring you.

That's really great advice. Thank you! I will definitely ask for this information next time. And I am going to get that letter from my doctor and keep it with me so this will not be an issue next time! I'm just very demotivated right now..I was genuinely excited to start and I really thought I could help a lot of people on this unit. And now..I've graduated 6 months ago..and I am back to applying for jobs online and dropping resumes off. >

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

I would be really, really careful about disclosing any physical limitations. I believe hospitals can have their own requirements for each job. I think it probably scared them that you had that type of medical history and they are scared of an on the job injury. True, not many people can probably lift 80 lb. I am smaller framed and not very strong and know that my limitations are probably lower than most but I would not tell them that. I know you were trying to be honest but I think it just gave them reason to take back their offer after they got nervous about your medical history. THey probably didn't break any law. Just be careful and good luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment