Nurses Exercising (advice)

[havehope]

Even though nurses are always on there feet, and moving around, should nurses still exercise when they are not at work (and if they have time)?

Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[littlemammanurse, BSN, RN]

Yes they should definitely exercise!

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

yes! exercise helps provide you with more energy to get through your shifts even if you work the floors. if you work er, it helps you to be able to physically participate in a procedure that requires physical strength. i am one of few female nurses the docs call on to help hold a limb in a reduction. the others are fat and/or out of shape. the guys, even if they are fat, and/or out of shape, are always called to help for some odd reason. gl!

[Amelia O]

YES!! If you can find the time, then do it. Although, you could do something fun, like hiking. Part of exercise is stress relief (which doesn't necessarily occur at work) so take it and enjoy it!

[havehope]

Thanks for your response! I was reading your occupation, etc. I would love to talk with you about working in the emergency department. I haven't seen anyone on here yet that works in the ER. Anyway, I have always wondered how a day in the ER was because I would like to work there when I get out of school (if I could handle it). Do you have any advice on that? And what is a day like in the ER?

Thanks so much!

[havehope]

thanks amelia o! yes, i love hiking :) i may sound like a nerd, but i take my dog out and we go hiking all the time. i have a yellow lab which loves it also. so, it's always fun with him.

[GreyGull]

Even though nurses are always on there feet, and moving around, should nurses still exercise when they are not at work (and if they have time)?

Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Absolutely exercise! If you do not have time to do a workout before or after work, at least try to do some stretching movements. Many hospitals require their PT/OT and lift team members to get in at least 30 minutes of stretching before they start in the patient care areas. Personally I believe all departments should find a way to incorporate this into the work day. Other non health care companies are already way ahead in this area.

Regardless of whether you are standing or sitting for long periods of times, some muscles are not used and some are used too much. Exercising and stretching restores balance to these muscles as well as being a great stress reducer. Failure to strength the muscles that are not used as much or stretch the muscles that are in demand will eventually lead to injury which may then take months or years to regain even a fraction of what could have been achieved by just doing some preventative movement a few minutes each day.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

Thanks for your response! I was reading your occupation, etc. I would love to talk with you about working in the emergency department. I haven't seen anyone on here yet that works in the ER. Anyway, I have always wondered how a day in the ER was because I would like to work there when I get out of school (if I could handle it). Do you have any advice on that? And what is a day like in the ER?

Thanks so much!

That is funny. When I first came here several years ago I got the impression that everyone was an ICU or ER nurse in the hospital setting. Not many posters talked about life or work on other floors. At least that was my impression as a lay person... Here is a forum that might do a better job answering your questions:

Emergency Nursing located under the specialty tab:

https://allnurses.com/emergency-nursing/

[wishiwereanurse, BSN, RN]

for some reason when i get really stressed out, I just get the urge to go out and run... i get into a better mood and sleep better... but sometimes when I am lazy I just go for 2-mile walks...