duf

the last place i worked, 2 or so nurses were pregnant as well as myself. it was policy there that pregnant women were not allowed to lift. apart from that we all carried out the same duties as we did before the pregnancies. In my case however, I am a student nurse, and the other nurses, both pregnant and otherwise, would tell me to sit down and rest alot. I didn't always feel comfortable with this as I didn't want the other staff on the ward to feel i was taking advantage. Also, the way I saw it, if the other pregnant women could carry on with their duties I didn't see why I couldn't. Whats good for the goose is good for the gander!!!!

i believe that nursing, regardless of whatever speciality of nursing a person is in, means to care holistically for an individual. when i first started nursing, i didn't like the butt wiping, feeding, etc every much and thought my time would maybe be more beneficial used elsewhere. my belief now has changed. Imagine if the patient was your mother, father, sister, etc, someone you really cared for... do you think that helping them with their ADL'S would be such a chore. put yourself in the patient's shoes...?! if you need assistance wouldn't you like someone there to you help you when you possibly can't help yourself, instead of that person thinking that these tasks are beneath them ????? think about it!!!

hi tookie, here in ireland, the practice of correct manual handling and patient lifting is great in theory, but here there is a great theory/practice gap. Many do not want to change their practice - but i guess that'll be to their own expense - of back injury. all the best duf