Hi everyone. I have been nursing since 1981. How do other older nurses cope with the physical demands? I have arthritis and diabetes (diet controlled but a problem when we get no breaks). I work on a surgical ward, and love the patients/staff/work but sometimes feel as if I am 100 years old instead of 45. Any tips to make life easier?
I have just applied for an outpatients job. I know it is still standing on your feet all day, but maybe less lifting/handling which is what really kills me.
If you work in the NHS (or even if you dont), you really need to involve to your nurse manager about lifting and your occupational health nurse about your diabetes.
Your nurse manager needs to stop you and your colleagues lifting manually. I'm sure there are at least guidelines (maybe even laws) out about this, so check it out. There are plenty of various devices out now to aid you with lifting... not cheap, but cheaper than a lawsuit.
As far as your breaks go (or lack of them), again, your nurse manager should be making sure that you and your colleagues are taking them. As far as you are concerned, lack of breaks must be having a detrimental effect on your health, so involve both your occupational health nurse and nurse manager on this issue.
It is unbelievable that nurses are treated in this way in this day and age.
I left med-surg several months ago. People are getting more obese and when everyone is busy it's hard to find someone to help. We have a no lifting policy, which sounds good on paper, but no one wants to use the lifters since "it takes too much time" and the fact that ours are kept on another unit! The lift team can take 20-30 minutes to come from the main hospital. The movement is afoot in the US but in reality in some places it not being carried out. Each pt was provided with a slider/slip pad--whatever they're called, but it still requires a bit of manipulation.
I think us of advanced age are trying to move on to a different aspect of nursing. I feel for all of us that have injuries affecting our lives.
There are many avenues open to more experienced nurses - as well as the ones mentioned here, there's education, research, telephone triage (like NHS Direct and BUPA or GP practices or charity helplines) plus so much more
Specializes in renal,peritoneal dialysis, medicine.
I left med-surg several months ago. People are getting more obese and when everyone is busy it's hard to find someone to help. We have a no lifting policy, which sounds good on paper, but no one wants to use the lifters since "it takes too much time" and the fact that ours are kept on another unit! The lift team can take 20-30 minutes to come from the main hospital. The movement is afoot in the US but in reality in some places it not being carried out. Each pt was provided with a slider/slip pad--whatever they're called, but it still requires a bit of manipulation.
I think us of advanced age are trying to move on to a different aspect of nursing. I feel for all of us that have injuries affecting our lives.
i agree it can be a pain waiting for the right equipment to arrive to do a patient move, however, when im tempted i remember being off work for 6 weeks last year with a damaged disc in my back, not able to sit/stand/walk etc and how painful it is, and how scared i felt that i wouldnt be able to work again, and if that doesnt work, the pain i still get in my leg and foot from that injury usually deterrs me.......
dont do it, its not worth it and no one will thank you for it, they will just be irritated when you are off sick
There is so much you can do. Nursing teachers are needed everywhere. You are such an asset being in the nursing field for sooo long. You should give it a try and people attending nursing school want to be taught by someone who is a NURSE..and will understand what they are going through and can encourage them when things get tough. Dont leave the field of nursing..just make some comfortable changes!!
community nursing is fab! You get to plan your workload, deal with people in their own environment and learn so much! You also get the chance to speak to your patient and wait for the reply. Plus the working hours are good, you feel you have a life and can actually plan things. Unless, of course, you like working shifts.
I worked on the nurse bank for 9 months on wards before landing this job and I have never looked back since getting it!
Whatever you go onto i wish you the best of luck, but do look after yourself. Pilates is a great thing to get into by the way for back problems. It really strengthens your body.
This is an interesting thread. I'm 52 and have been a nurse here in the US for 22 years. I'm certainly feeling the aches and pains of this physically demanding career. So far, luckily, no on the job injuries. As many of you have noted, we still do alot of lifting here. Changes are happening quickly, however. I feel fortunate to be in a newly constructed building that was built with lifting devices in mind and each room has a lift mounted to the ceiling that are wonderful. These have only come into broad use in the last 5 years or so, I would say. The reason I'm on this forum is because I'm hoping to do some work in Britain and will be very interested to learn about lifting techniques and issues there. So, to cheshirecat I say, "I feel your pain." I think much of the advice the others have offered is good. Like here in the US, I presume there are many different settings for nurses and it may be time to find something less demanding physically and it sounds like you are already doing that with your move to an outpatient area. Good luck with that and, as the others have advised put your personal safety and care at the top of your list and use it as your guide in what type of nursing you choose to do. Best..
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Akdennis the hospitals in the UK operates a no lifting policy, if the patient requires lifting and they can't do it themselves then hoist has to used. We also have moving aides like slide sheets to assist moving patient.
I like the no lifting policy. I will be very interested in learning the policies and techniques used there (I hope to be working in the UK in about a year). We have lifts and "sliders" and other devices as well, and some hospitals here CLAIM to have a no lifting policy but in practice it's not 100%. Things are moving that way very quickly though, for which I'm thankful. Many hospitals here now have "lift teams," a crew with special training that roams the hospital to assist in difficult moves. My hospital does bariatric surgeries so, from time to time, I can have patients that weigh 300 to 400 lbs (~ 140 to 180 kg) or more, which can be very challenging.
PamUK
149 Posts
If you work in the NHS (or even if you dont), you really need to involve to your nurse manager about lifting and your occupational health nurse about your diabetes.
Your nurse manager needs to stop you and your colleagues lifting manually. I'm sure there are at least guidelines (maybe even laws) out about this, so check it out. There are plenty of various devices out now to aid you with lifting... not cheap, but cheaper than a lawsuit.
As far as your breaks go (or lack of them), again, your nurse manager should be making sure that you and your colleagues are taking them. As far as you are concerned, lack of breaks must be having a detrimental effect on your health, so involve both your occupational health nurse and nurse manager on this issue.
It is unbelievable that nurses are treated in this way in this day and age.