LPN? How much lifting is required in LTC

[oceantides]

Hello,

I am considering an lpn school instead of pursuing my RN due to the limited access to programs. I am apprehensive because I have a back injury and repetative lifting might be a huge problem for me. I have been doing nursing pre-requisites for a year and a half and I do not want to wait four more years to have a professional career. I would like advice regarding the amount of lifting required for lpn's. I am scared of spending the $ and time to find out I am not physically able to do the job effectively. I appreciate any information regarding my situation.

Thank you:)

[kstec, LPN]

It really depends on how much you want to do or have time to do. I hurt my back years ago and am very, very careful when assisting residents to the restroom or to transfer from w/c to regular chairs. I do alot more than alot of LPN's that I work with only because I have a hard time walking by someone and not helping or going and getting an aide to do it. If I'm totally swamped then I will get an aide, otherwise I do it myself. If you asked some other nurses that I work with they would tell you they haven't lifted in months. Always ask for help when in doubt, and use the best of best body mechanics and I think you'll be fine. Good Luck to you!!!! If you really want to be a nurse, don't let this stop you. We need good people to become good nurses.

[oceantides]

Thank you I really appreciate it, I have the heart to do it. I am just concerned long term for my health.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I'm an LVN in a nursing/rehab center, and can avoid the lifting if I choose to do so. I suffered from sciatica and chronic pain for 2 years, and the issue recently resolved within the past four or five months. Therefore, I do not want to exacerbate the condition.

The majority of the heavy lifting is done by the facility CNAs. I help with toileting and transferring if I am feeling good that day.

[KrisRNwannabe]

Nursing can be a very physically demanding job. I lift alot on my floor and when I was in the LTC facility we did a ton. I would never expect an aide to do all the lifting. Nursing is a team effort.

[eligrace]

Nursing is an extremely physical job! Staffing, especially in LTC, can be iffy so you can't always depend on someone else to be there. And, as you can delegate the lifting and such, at the end of the day it is YOUR responsibility that it all be done. And remember, there is no delegating in clinicals. Most often you are the total caregiver.

I would strongly recommend that you speak with your dr. first. You might be able to build your back up with physical therapy, they are really doing amazing things these days.

I once had a CNA as a resident at a LTC facility. He hurt his back while working there and now is wc bound for life.

We definitely need all the nurses that we can get however you do need to be sure that is a job that is safe for you.