I'm too weak to be a Cna

[Aniavela]

Hello I am just out of high school and I have entered a Cna program which I am almost done with. Next week we are visiting a nursing home to help there but I am so scared because I am physically weak. I only weigh about 100 pounds and I have no upper body strength. People told me not to continue with this career because it is hard and requires maximum strength. I feel so out of place because everyone else is so much stronger than me in the class. Also we have the certification test soon and I still can't seem to get the skills down one of the skills I really can't seem to understand is blood pressure. Any advice is very appreciated thank you.

[CanadianRN16]

If you are doing your job properly (e.g. using proper body mechanics), then there should be no problem. Most job-related injuries occur when you're lifting more than you can handle, in an innapropriate position and/ or when you should be using a mechanical lift. Don't be afraid to ask for help if/ when you need it! However, it would not hurt to engage in strength conditioning for CNA work.

Being physically weak is not the sole indicator of being able to handle CNA work...a large part of the job is patience, organizational skills, and clinical judgment.

Find some one to teach you how to take a manual blood pressure and won't mind you practising until you feel comfortable. Like any technical skill, you can pick it up with enough practice.

[rleah, BSN, RN]

I have been a CNA for the last 6 1/2 years. Strength helps, but learning how to do things properly will help you the most. I have worked with very petite CNA's and nurses. Good luck you will be fine, just study the correct techniques for moving and lifting patients.

[Vtachy1]

You might as well try it, since you have gone this far. You can always try something else if you don't get the strength. If you work in a facilty that uses a lot of mechanical lifts, its nice. Do you have an illness that makes you weak? Maybe you can build up the strength after working for a while.

[historylovinglpn]

Being 100 lbs doesn't make you weak. I did a powerlifting comp where a 97 lb woman deadlifted 275. I am 140...and deadlifted the same. Strength to weight ratio means she is much stronger than me. 100 lbs doesn't mean you are weak.

[PowerliftingLady]

I think watching the khan academy series on heart physiology might help with the understanding behind diastolic and systolic blood pressure if theory is what you are having issues with. Perhaps being able to visualize what is occurring internally will help you with the actual skill of knowing what your listening for. Otherwise just practice more, on yourself, your roommates, your pets, hmm maybe not your pets but you get the idea.

As for strength I wholeheartedly agree with the above poster! Join your schools gym and start lifting, as a new lifter you should find gains that will make your work as a CNA a lot less worrisome. It might be intimidating at first, but most gyms have tours where staff will show you the basic safety precautions and what not.

[Missingyou, CNA]

.....I agree with what everyone else said above.

Plus, do push ups and leg squats to build arm strength and

strong legs... a bonus in protecting your back since you

should lift with your legs and not your back.

You can do this!