Can't Lift 50 lbs - Will I be discriminated against?

[Nurse Beth]

Hi Nurse Beth,

I am currently in nursing classes for my LPN. We have not yet started clinicals. My question is can medical restrictions such as not able to lift more than 50 poundsds ban me from continuing on in nursing? I don't want to work in a nursing home, I was wanting to be a nurse case manager and can't see why I should be discriminated against.

Thanks

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Dear Can't Lift 50 lbs,

Many jobs have Able to lift 50 lbs” as a job requirement for bedside nurses and even some non-bedside nurses (as you may have to help lift in an emergency). It's not job discrimination, it's liability for the organization.

Your goal is to be a nurse case manager, but in my experience, case managers require some nursing experience before going into case management.

Since most LPN roles are at the bedside, and you will be faced with this requirement, have you thought about getting your RN? This may be the best route to a job with no lifting requirements.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Even in pediatrics the lift requirement is 50lbs. Granted we have 40# kids already ordering hoyer & ceiling lifts for

[dec2007]

I'm troubled that you are entering the field of nursing with no experience, and already have two very "entitled" attitudes:

1) You don't want to work as a nurse at all, only start at the management or case manager level, and

2) You believe if the world doesn't bend over backwards to put you ahead of more experienced nurses, you are being "discriminated" against.

What nursing does not need is another entitled individual who really doesn't want to do the work!

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

You won't be discriminated against, but you will not be given jobs for which you fail to meet physical requirements.

Unfortunately, case management jobs are not available to new grads or LPNs (to my knowledge.)

I couldn't even get out of a 50lb restriction while pregnant! I was offered my job in my 2nd trimester and was told by EOHW that they needed a note from my OB provider stating any restrictions. I forgot about the 50lb requirement (it had been several months since submitting the application which gave the requirements.) My OB office RN said "we usually say a 25lbs lifting limit." So later I get a call from work saying that that is NOT an accommodation they are able to make. They only followed through on the job offer after I got my clinic to revise the lifting restriction to allow 50lbs.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

I think it would depend on what disability you have that makes you unable to lift 50 pounds? If you have something like CP or really short arms like a T-rex I could see where lifting 50 pounds would be a problem but I have worked with some very tiny petite nurses who shift, lift and move residents and patients with very little difficulty. I myself have a bad arm from an non-work related accident and can still help in lifting and moving residents with only minor difficulty. A lot of lifting is about technique not physical strength. You are going to have to wrap your mind around the fact that you will need at least two years bedside experience to get that highly coveted Case Manager position and most of the one's I have seen lately require a BSN as well. You might also have to deal with Poo and assorted body fluids too. I am not sure how you think you can case manage without knowing how to care for patients? Since you have not been back since you initial post we may never know.

Hppy

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

I also might at that most healthcare facilities are adding a Physical Abilities test to their pre-employment physical. This allows them to get a marginal decrease in Workman's Comp Insurance costs. It is simply not practical to have a nurse on the unit who cannot safely lift 50 pounds. Even if they hired you and excused you from lifting it would quickly cause resentment from those staff who have to stop what they are doing to accommodate your "Disability".

Hppy

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

I had the same question! I do not work out at allll lol.

Are they gonna toss a 50lb weight at you or something? They can't kick you out I don't think.

I haven't started yet but it was mentioned during an information session at my school.

Yes, during the physical, they may very well have two 25 lb Dumbbells on the floor and ask you to use proper body mechanics to lift them. Get yourself to a gym and start respecting your core. This isn't a joke.

[mindofmidwifery, ADN]

I had the same question! I do not work out at allll lol.

Are they gonna toss a 50lb weight at you or something? They can't kick you out I don't think.

I haven't started yet but it was mentioned during an information session at my school.

Before I got a CNA position at a nursing home I had to do a physical exam where I had to pick up weights repeatedly, push a large weight, hold weights above my head, etc. I wouldn't put it past an LPN program to want the same.