physical demands?

FransBevy · Mar 18, 2012

I left in-patient med/surg unit to take a job with a hemodialysis unit.

I've had extensive upper spine surgery and the physical demands (picking up patients etc...) were just too much.

This job is far less physically taxing except that the chairs require a bit of bending at the waist and I can sometimes feel it at the end of the day.

The pace is often excruciating though so bear that in mind, especially if you work at a for-profit company.

I just love the patient contact though, I have some wonderful people in my care.

MJB2010 · Mar 23, 2012

You will be on your feet ALL day running in circles. You will bend a lot, but you will not be doing a lot of lifting. Occassionally you need to boost a patient in the chair, but most of the patients can self reposition. You really do not sit down at all for the majority of your shift. I am back in hospital nursing now, and I appreciate charting just to get off my feet for a few minutes. In dialysis, you do that on your feet,too.

Tish88 · Mar 24, 2012

I would not consider out pt dialysis less physical demanding than the OR. Plan to be on your feet from about 10-14+ hours a day and constantly moving.

There is a lot of bending too. I do a lot of lifting patients out of reclining chairs to put them back into their wheelchairs.

awheat · Mar 25, 2012

Keep in mind the chairs are positioned for patient safety, so any sticking/adjustment/hands on the access is done by YOU bending over - my back is killing me today due to 3 catheter patients all needing cath care/dressing/on & off/etc in the same shift. Calgon, take me away! And before you mention the "stool", we have 2 for 5 pods, so it is "not fair" for 2 of 5 people to get to use one, so no one gets to.