New Grad Failed Lift Test

[KerriaBoo22]

Hi everyone

I'm a little discouraged today. I had an offer at a magnet hospital on the condition that I passed the physical. I lifted the box which had two handles and weights inside off of the floor fine when lifting from the bottom handle, but for some reason when he asked me to lift from the top handle, (mind you he did not want me squatting all the way to the floor, just squatting until I could reach the top handle) he said I wasn't doing that part properly and I lost my job offer. I came home and told my dad about it (he's a bodybuilder) and he said the way that he was asking me to lift the box was not safe anyway. Anybody have any tips to do better and actually pass the test if I have to do it again????

[blackvans1234]

That's weird that they are making that a test....

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I have NEVER, and I mean NEVER, heard of such a thing as a part of a job offer. Sure I have been tested to see if I could lift the weight physically...but I have never been tested and failed if I didn't do it properly....that is crazy.

What the heck is going on????

I fear for my daughter just beginning her life when she graduates from high school....God help me she wants to be a nurse.

[emptyboxcars]

Anyone have any further tips? I'm going to be testing for this soon myself.....little nervous about it. I need all the tips I can get! Thanks!

[morte, LPN, LVN]

perhaps we need to consult a PT before job physical?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH

I cannot believe that anyone (let alone a Federal employer that should know better) is using the lift-a-box assessment. There is a plethora of evidence available - human beings are not immovable boxes with convenient handles (duh) so static lifting measures have absolutely no relevance to clinical practice. In fact, the only measures which have been shown to reduce back injuries are "Zero lift" policies. The AHA is a very powerful lobby, so OSHA has shied away from them, but they have repeatedly published guidelines to this effect for the LTC industry. Here is one Guidelines for Nursing Homes: Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders . After reviewing the evidence, my organization has lowered our 'lifting' requirements on our job description physical & functional requirements -- to 35 lbs.