Is nursing exercise?

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This may seem to be a silly question, especially to all you you pros! But, my girlfriends and I were discussing this... You are on your feet all day long, and it can be very physical.

I vote that local Y's everywhere should give cardio-nursing classes so I can get my office butt in shape!

What do you all think?

:) Michelle

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lol . excercise...well i lost thirty pounds in the first three months of new job .... aint seen it since...

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I think it probably could be. Unfortunately, the only things we get to eat are out of vending machines, and we run around half of the time dehydrated, therefore ruining any of the health benefits of running around all day.

Heather

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

Howdy yall

from deep in the heat of texas

Yes its exercise, but not a healthy exercise. You have bursts of movement not a sustained effort. For healthy exercise you need to get and keep that heart rate up. either that or play golf.But carrying your clubs in a hospital looking for the fairway, might be disturbing to pts, guests, admin etc.

doo wah ditty

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I think it can be resistance training type exercise. Pushing beds, lifting pts,and some bursts of aerobic (have broken many a sweat ). It is not sustained exercise, but I think that physically it can be a mini-workout at least.

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Specializes in ICU, PICU, Orthopaedics, Spinal.

Yup...

There definately is exercise in nursing, particularly ward nursing. I transfered from Orthopaedics to PICU in April and have put on almost 4kg - and I SWEAR it is because I'm now sitting on my butt for the most of the day looking at monitors, not constantly moving around!!!:o

Mind you, I don't think those 4kg are enougth to get me back to Ortho though!!

Mandy

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I AGREE THAT FLOOR NURSING IS A GOOD WAY TO LOSE A FEW POUNDS....I GRADUATED IN JUNE, STARTED WORK IN JULY, AND HAVE LOST 20 # SO FAR.....ONLY A TRILLION MORE TO GO LOLOLOLOLOLOL :):):):):).........WELL IT FEELS LIKE A TRILLION ANYWAY :p

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Yes, exercise, attendant with exhaustion and soreness.

Builds up stamina and "character."

Strong calf muscles from all the squatting, lifting, etc.

Be careful not to get injured. Some pts buckle n drop at the worst times ...

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I would say that a full time bedside nurse on a 46 bed medsurg probably walks about 50 miles a week.

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Don't forget we also get a "sauna" .......well while showering it gets realy hot in ours, they forgot to turn off the heating last summer.

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Yes and no. Bedside RN/CNA in the classic sense is not physical training. However, there are a phew times I have broken a ittybitty sweat holding up a PT, or walking quickly from room to room, or (blah-blah-blah).

I'd liken it more to an OBSTICLE COURSE because of the events and physical movements you must undertake while thinking quickly. Correct body mechanics goes way beyond just not hurting your back at bedside. Moving steadily through 4-6 hours of bedside requires you to devote almost all your "brain power" to short term memory, or working memory (PT's needs). It's important to keep your cerebellum going too, and prevent slouching and other contra-indicated movements. (or else) I might sound like an idiot, but take in account i've only been in this for 5 months.

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It is an exercise in PATIENCE.

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