Lifting patients

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I am starting Nursing School in the fall. I am so excited and a bit nervous. I am concerned about lifting a patient. I am only 108 lbs. and less than 5"5'. I am not that strong. I know in school I will most likely have a partner, but what about when I have my own patients when I am out on my own. Can any of you give me any tips/advice on this subject?

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Having your own patients does not mean being on your own, sole person on the unit! You will learn in school how to move patients safely, so neither you nor the patient ends up injured.

You can be tiny and be a nurse :)

What you CANNOT do is decide to go ahead and "do it yourself" because you don't want to bother someone to help you....or think you are imposing, or whatever. Safe patient handling means teamwork!

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Specializes in ICU/ Surgery/ Nursing Education.

I wouldn't be that worried, if you have to lift patients there are lifts made to help with this. We were instructed early on and many times during nursing school that at no time should we ever lift anything more than 35 pounds. Not during school and not when we are in the field. To be honest you do little lifting, it is more a precision guiding of the patient. If you have to do any lifting then there will be help or a assistive lift. I had patients that were 4 person assist because there wasn't room for the Hoyer lift. Wasn't fun, but wasn't hard when you have a better idea of how to do it properly.

don't let this prevent or scare you away from nursing.

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Thanks so much. This really eased my nerves.

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