not physically strong enough to be a CNA...

Ytellu · Jul 8, 2011

What about trying to switch to a unit clerk position in the hospital. You'd still be an important part of the team, called upon to help/assist with patients while not being the primary CNA.

I'm in my 50's and while not a slender woman I have seen many women who are very thin roll patients heavier than them. Have you thought about some upper body exercises to build strength?

blackandyellow · Jul 8, 2011

You build up upper body strength as you go on. I have seen girls that are right out of highschool under 100 pounds and under 5 feet start not being able to lift many people and are fine now. I think a lot of it is proper body mechanics as an aide and positioning the patient better. Some people roll better on one side verses the other.

yousoldtheworld · Jul 8, 2011

Have you considered something like working in a group home or assisted living? In those settings, the residents can normally stand, walk, roll, but just need help with their ADLS. I wouldn't give up yet if I were you, you really seem to have the heart for the job and would probably do a really great job in the right setting. It might not be the hospital setting, but at least you'd get some good resident care experience.

CNA/glorified maid · Jul 8, 2011

My cna class instructor, told us that now there is a "no lift policy" in effect for all nursing care facilities. That every facility is equiped with a "hoy lift"(not sure of the spelling). Later I found that not to be true, while doing my clinicals. At our local nursing home, there was only 2 lifts, one for each wing. and there are alot of rooms per wing. I think it's wrong that they told you, you were too weak. Because, I am sure you can get help from anotheer co-worker, to help lift someone.

K_girl · Jul 8, 2011

i just finished my CNA program and there were some girls who were thin just like you! However they made it through just fine & you will too. You just need to be aware of your limitations and find another person to help you. You will get stronger as you go.

You could also do some light weight exercises at home. It sounds like you have the passion & drive to do this. You will succeed if you keep trying :)

good luck!

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Jul 9, 2011

I am 5'5 and 130 lbs(wink wink) and I can lift most of my residents when it comes to turning them. Proper body mechanics...google that for some pointers

yousoldtheworld · Jul 9, 2011

My cna class instructor, told us that now there is a "no lift policy" in effect for all nursing care facilities. That every facility is equiped with a "hoy lift"(not sure of the spelling). Later I found that not to be true, while doing my clinicals. At our local nursing home, there was only 2 lifts, one for each wing. and there are alot of rooms per wing. I think it's wrong that they told you, you were too weak. Because, I am sure you can get help from anotheer co-worker, to help lift someone.

I will tell you that in my experience, a "no lift" policy is more something they say they have to appease the state than something that is realistic, and it's also there to cover their butts. They know you can't realistically use the lift on everyone, but if they have a no lift policy in place, they don't have to pay if you hurt yourself lifting.

Most facilities might have some lifts, sure...but enough to get all of your residents in bed in a timely manner, while all the other aides do as well? No way. Our facility is supposed to be no lift, with the exception of our kids who weigh less than 50 pounds. But we have 88 residents, and only 3 or 4 lifts. If I went looking for a lift every time I had to move someone, I'd never get done with my 12-14 residents.

mar12011 · Jul 9, 2011

MANY thanks all for the advice!! I would prefer the Unit Clerk job over going back to IT any day, but I so love the physical part of being a CNA too (the part I can do: running around from room to room) AND the patient interaction.

As for upper body, I do bicep curls w/10 lb. dumbbells, and push-ups... I avidly cycle & hike, so my legs are strong in comparison to my core. Last year I started using a personal trainer at the gym to get me to be able to lift 50 lbs. (what most CNA job specs say you need to be able to do) -- I was doing lunges, squats & medicine ball workouts, but ended up badly straining my back, so I am gun-shy to try that again.

I am about 5'3" and about 100 lbs, small boned, etc. I am sooooooooooooooooooooooo hoping gelgel is right, that maybe if they cut me some slack and keep me on, that in time the muscles will come? Last year I was doing a Surgical Tech program, but when it came to being able to transfer a pt from the gurney to the OR I couldn't do it, the pt remained on the gurney, although I tried w/all my might. A classmate suggested I buy a 20 lb. bag of dog food and practice lifting it at home. I didn't do it then, but maybe I need to try it now.

As for getting help from other workers, there are 3 of us CNA's between the 3 halls (32 patients), and last night the guy CNA told me that there will be times when there will be no one to help me, so that I have to get strong enough to it on my own. I understand his angle, I was hoping that if I helped him finish up what he was doing, that then we could get mine moved. He seemed pretty agitated w/me asking me for help last night.

Thanks again all!! :)

radicalsenseofhope · Jul 9, 2011

I just wanted to share that I am in the same boat as you are. I'm 35 but have had some health issues over the years that took their toll. I'm in relatively good health now, but I only weigh about 115 lbs (I'm 5' 6") and my arms are like weak noodles. I worked as an aid back in my twenties as a prenursing student but stopped working and going to school when my first child was born. Now that my kids are older, I'm back to pursuing my dream of becoming a nurse. I'm taking the CNA class this fall and I'm worried that my arms won't be strong enough to do this job anymore. I have trouble lifting my heavy cast iron skillet, LOL! I like the 20 lb dog food bag suggestion. Maybe I should try that.

Well, anyway, enough of my rambling. Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. Good luck to you! :)

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Jul 9, 2011

Before I started at the nursing home I had a 100 lb person to take care of every day and I could barely roll her. Now I pick people up who weigh more than that, and I roll a 200 lb woman every day. Part of it is building up some strength (all you need is a short burst of energy for these things), and getting used to it... knowing how to hold someone close to you, put some leg into it, etc. You know how when you put someone to bed you sit them on the edge, then put your arms behind their legs and back and lay them down? I used to be so slow about it- then one lady said, "don't be so scared; whip me in bed real fast." It was so much easier that way.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jul 9, 2011

I was 35 when I first tried a CNA job, and it almost ended my dream of becoming a nurse because I physically could not keep up with the younger, fitter, thinner girls, who were hossing around 12 residents by themselves. Now at age 52, I still can't, although I'm in much better condition now than I was then, just from assisting with so many lifts over the years. But I got past the pure physical labor part of being a CNA by taking a job in acute care, where there were fewer patients to be responsible for and everyone helped with lifts.

Eventually, I did get stronger, and even today am as capable as anyone of helping move patients up in bed, turn them, clean them etc. You will too, it just might take a little while longer because you are older. But whatever you do, NEVER attempt a lift or a transfer unless you've got adequate means to do so safely, whether it's a second pair of hands or just a gait belt to steady the patient and give you something to hang onto. Back injuries are waaaay too common in this profession, especially among us older folks, and nothing is worth hurting yourself.

Just don't give up your ambition. We need every nurse we can get!