I was just wondering how many of you out there in the "older" age groups are still working a med/surg floor, and how you cope with the ever-increasing physical demands. Sometimes when I get off my shift, I feel 85 rather than almost 45.....my back aches ferociously, my feet are burning, and I limp so badly that I've been asked more than once if I've sprained something. Of course, things would go better if I were about 100# lighter, and I'm working on that, but I was 40# heavier than I am now when I first worked med/surg six years ago, and didn't have as many problems then.
Now, I've already done the sit-down jobs in nursing, and didn't like it......I'm absolutely delighted with my 8-hour, part-time position on the floor, and have NO intention of leaving it. But I'm having so much trouble handling the physical part of it---I can perform the actual work, it's after my shift that I hurt so much, I'm wondering how much longer I'm going to be able to do this.
I'm hoping my new orthotics will help, along with the Ultram I'm taking for pain. But other than these things---along with losing some weight---how do I keep doing this for another 15 or 20 years? Or can I even reasonably expect to?
I'l be 48 in December and work 8 hour shifts, 3-11, part-time Med-Surg, 5 days in a 2-week period (I think full-time would do me in for sure!). I've worked Med-Surg for almost 10 years.
My body's holding up so far (*knock*wood*). The only time I might have physical problems is when I have a very heavy patient assignment one or two nights in a row. (Complete care patients, having to help PCT's change diapers and boost heavy patients up in bed frequently, for example.) I'll feel it in my lower back the next few days. Whenever I help a patient out of bed who I know is a max assist, I pray (seriously!) to be safe (my back especially) and to keep the patient safe.
I've got good walking shoes (New Balance) and have worn orthotics for a long time to help my arches, and rarely have had foot problems (thank God!).
I also have been exercising regularly for years, including cardio, weight-lifting, stomach crunches, and stretching. In nursing school, I started the exercise habit because I either cry out stress or sweat it out. (I still do both!) I don't go to the gym as often as I know I should, but have recently taken up spinning classes to boost my metabolism (for weight loss) and to increase my aerobic capacity. I'm now getting to the gym more often, and the intensity of the spinning has made me feel better emotionally and physically, as well as added some variety to my workout. I think it helps my stamina on the job, too.
Is there a fitness club near you, mjl? They could come up with a program to help strengthen your back, and exercise and weight lifting will speed up your metabolism by building muscle, and you don't have to starve yourself when you exercise regularly. Also, I'm a Weight Watcher program life member. I lost 15 lbs. on it a few years ago and believe it's the most sensible diet for life. I've gained some back, but know I can lose it if I'll try.
My biggest concern is whether I can continue to handle the stress. The hospital is going totally on-line (all orders and documentation computerized) by early December and training starts later this month. And just all that makes Med-Surg-- well-- Med-Surg: higher acuity, nurse to patient ratios, turnover in staff, doctor abuse, etc. etc. My goal is to keep doing this as long as possible, but read my bottom signature line.... :)
I'm actually thinking of going to critical care at some point. I float to the ICU on occasion, and I like the 1:1 or 1:2 ratios, as well as the opportunity to give the excellent care I know I'm capable of providing (just not to 4-6 pts.!!). I also enjoy OB-GYN, and the pt. load there is also do-able (usually no more than 2 couplets or 3 GYN surgical pts.), but I'm afraid I'd get bored if I were to work there all the time, and I really don't think I want to do L & D.
I haven't made up my mind yet, I just know I want to stay with the organization I'm with now (benie's are terrific compared with other companies I've worked for) and the hospital that's like a second home to me (it's where I always end up when I'm sick of working elsewhere).
I would opt for the ICU, as my most fav assignments have always been in the Critical care units or OB. In the units I have worked in, we would get everyone to help when it came to pulling people up or turning them. Made it alot easier. And the admissions we would quadruple team, and have them admitted in no time:)
I just turned 40 and am still in med-surg. I only work 2 evenings a week so the wear on the body as a whole isn't too bad. However there are nights when my legs/feet ache. I hope I won't still be working the floor when I am 50.
I have started making some changes in that direction, started working per diem at a surgery center. Definetly easier physically. So maybe down the rode when my kids are older I will do the surgery center as my primary job.
Tonight the LPN said to me, "you know it is a good thing you're part time, you would kill yourself if you worked like that 40 hours a week." That is on rehab, compared to med/surg the night I had on rehab was a breeze. I am 55 by the way. A bad night on rehab is better than a good night on med/surg anytime.
I'm 46 and work three eight hour shifts per week in the float pool. I never thought I would say this but I could not do this full time if my life depended on it!!!! I love med-surg and will continue to do it as long as I can, but it has taken its toll on these old bones. All the body mechanics in the world can't help with getting the 400 pound pt out of bed!!!
I'm getting scared now...just how much lifting are you all really talking about? I'm 5'2", 125 lbs. How am I going to lift patients who weigh much more than me? My husband is 6'1", 200 lbs, and I already told him if anything happened to him, I'd just have to leave him laying there. We start clinicals this month...should I run to the gym and try to build some muscle?
I have had four major back injuries in my nursing career and am in pain 24/7.
I good muscle tone and strength, more than most people my age and size (according to my old physical therapist). However, once the back (and feet/ankles) are shot, they're shot and mine are.
This happened from working short-staffed year after year, in LTC, inpt hospice, rehab and med-surg.
Doing continous bladder irrigations of TURPs in surgical is particularly bad on the back.
Watch yourselves out there, ladies! Watch your backs!
BTW, I am 38 and working two 12 hr shifts a week. I'm in dialysis now, but the physical work of dialysis is comperable to that of med/surg, IMO.
We start clinicals this month...should I run to the gym and try to build some muscle?
I would. (only half-kidding) Even if you don't get to a gym, you could maybe at least do good, controlled stomach crunches to strengthen your back at home. Here's one site that describes how to do them properly-- slow, controlled, sucking your back flat to the floor-- you should only come up a little ways.
I wouldn't do the side moves or leg lifts they mention. Just focus on lifting straight up, looking at the ceiling, hands lightly touching/supporting (but NOT pulling) on your head, elbows out to the side. Exhale as you come up, inhale as you come down.
But, as Isyorke said, "All the body mechanics in the world can't help with getting the 400 pound pt out of bed!!!" :stone
.................All the body mechanics in the world can't help
with getting the 400 pound pt out of bed!!!
AMEN, BROTHER! :chuckle
Nor should we as human beings in any occupation try to lift someone we can't safely lift without injuring ourselves.
Nurses....if you are injuring yourself trying to do something that you are humanly incapable of doing alone, then shame on you for not being your FIRST patient.
If I haven't worked for awhile, a few months, and then go in and work, I get so sore I can hardly move. It's mainly around my butt, hips and pelvic area. It's from all the walking, rather running, that we do, I'm sure, and it seems like just muscle aches.
I don't plan to do any kind of lifting, moving, etc. in the future without adequate help.
What about the places I've read about here that have no lift policies?, they should be everywhere.
It burns me up when the previous shift gets the patient up just before the end of their shift, no lift sheet, nothing in the chair, and then we have to put this humongous dead weight back into the bed. It also burns me up when physical therapy does the same thing, gets the patient up, and then physical therapy leaves and goes home. I have decided that if necessary, security can come and put the patient to bed.
I'm not going to kill myself any longer. I only have one body and it has to last me the rest of my life, and it's already messed up.
If I haven't worked for awhile, a few months, and then go in and work, I get so sore I can hardly move. It's mainly around my butt, hips and pelvic area. It's from all the walking, rather running, that we do, I'm sure, and it seems like just muscle aches.
I don't plan to do any kind of lifting, moving, etc. in the future without adequate help.
What about the places I've read about here that have no lift policies?, they should be everywhere.
It burns me up when the previous shift gets the patient up just before the end of their shift, no lift sheet, nothing in the chair, and then we have to put this humongous dead weight back into the bed. It also burns me up when physical therapy does the same thing, gets the patient up, and then physical therapy leaves and goes home. I have decided that if necessary, security can come and put the patient to bed.
I'm not going to kill myself any longer. I only have one body and it has to last me the rest of my life, and it's already messed up.
What you have said has become MY lift policy. This is the only back I have and I will not put it at risk if I can help it. I also hate what you describe about patients OOB from previous shift/PT.
RN-PA, RN
626 Posts
I'l be 48 in December and work 8 hour shifts, 3-11, part-time Med-Surg, 5 days in a 2-week period (I think full-time would do me in for sure!). I've worked Med-Surg for almost 10 years.
My body's holding up so far (*knock*wood*). The only time I might have physical problems is when I have a very heavy patient assignment one or two nights in a row. (Complete care patients, having to help PCT's change diapers and boost heavy patients up in bed frequently, for example.) I'll feel it in my lower back the next few days. Whenever I help a patient out of bed who I know is a max assist, I pray (seriously!) to be safe (my back especially) and to keep the patient safe.
I've got good walking shoes (New Balance) and have worn orthotics for a long time to help my arches, and rarely have had foot problems (thank God!).
I also have been exercising regularly for years, including cardio, weight-lifting, stomach crunches, and stretching. In nursing school, I started the exercise habit because I either cry out stress or sweat it out. (I still do both!) I don't go to the gym as often as I know I should, but have recently taken up spinning classes to boost my metabolism (for weight loss) and to increase my aerobic capacity. I'm now getting to the gym more often, and the intensity of the spinning has made me feel better emotionally and physically, as well as added some variety to my workout. I think it helps my stamina on the job, too.
Is there a fitness club near you, mjl? They could come up with a program to help strengthen your back, and exercise and weight lifting will speed up your metabolism by building muscle, and you don't have to starve yourself when you exercise regularly. Also, I'm a Weight Watcher program life member. I lost 15 lbs. on it a few years ago and believe it's the most sensible diet for life. I've gained some back, but know I can lose it if I'll try.
My biggest concern is whether I can continue to handle the stress. The hospital is going totally on-line (all orders and documentation computerized) by early December and training starts later this month.
And just all that makes Med-Surg-- well-- Med-Surg: higher acuity, nurse to patient ratios, turnover in staff, doctor abuse, etc. etc. My goal is to keep doing this as long as possible, but read my bottom signature line.... :)