Hi everyone, I have just been accepted into a nursing program and I actually am feeling terrified. I knew what I was going into but I feel the fear settling in. Should I be concerned about back problems simply because I am entering the nursing field? I've interviewed quite a bit of people in the health care field (nurses, volunteer coordinators, and nursing students).
What do I do about the back problems? My friend told me not to worry about it (he's a nurse with at least 5 years experience) but I'm still worried. He also told me that there will be days where I will absolutely feel like quitting the job. Which, I guess that's kind of normal in every profession. I'm also told that many lifting is done via machines. (same goes for physical therapists too).
I'm going to be a new student and I am actually quite scared of getting chronic back problems. It's happening to quickly. When I applied, I was very well aware of all the potential challenges that would come about, as with anything in life. But being accepted, it just seems way too real.
PS. I am a worry wart in general. Any help would be great. I live in Canada. I also thank you in advance.
Yes back injuries are very high in the nursing field particulary the lower back, similar to how shoulder/neck injuries are high in the administration/receptionist field.
Just speaking out of experience in the hospital system I had my first major injury to my back when a client used me as hand hold. This individual was a surgical client who was highly obese, grabbed my wrists and pulled themselves up stretching me over the bottom of the bed and tearing the structures of my discs in my lower back. It happened against my will and now it still causes me significant pain.
The thing people can forget is the unpredictability in nursing, you may follow all the 'no lift' policies, have the right amount of people, use the machines, but clients can fall, and in a people orientated profession they have a will of their own so if they grab onto you causing you to bend or twist with excessive force damage can be done.
So yes back injury is something to be considered. Just remember all occupations have their own risks to them, whether it's losing fingers, burnout, cancer or joint damage its a part of the parcel and although I now have a lifetime injury I don't regret my choice to go into nursing one iota.
Like others have said, work on your core strength, pelvic floors, wear good shoes, do your best to be healthy and not gain weight and put more pressure on your back and do your best to watch out for potentially dangerous situations.
Eg. For me, I keep two steps away from individuals who are less/non compliant so I can't be grabbed onto, I get another to assist me with anyone I think could fall or put weight on my body unintentially. I have a supportive chair for when I sit that supports the lower structures.
Don't let any of us scare you off, as I personally love my job, I work fulltime in a children's ward and remember to never take shortcuts when it comes to my back. I have no regrets other then myself being somewhat naive and trusting when nineteen. You go in and are less observant and never think people would do anything without your permission, now I know better and guard myself from it.
^.~ I guess just expect the unexpected, look after yourself and I'm sure you'll have a very rewarding career in the nursing profession.
Specializes in Spinal Cord injuries, Emergency+EMS.
You need to do what everyone else needs to do: take care of yourself.
Eat right, exercise, maintain a healthy weight.
and work in an environment that takes moving and handling seriously ...
it needs to got across to management that refuse to provide adequate training and handling equipment that the costs of paying even one lawsuit will greatly exceed what it costs to purchase and maintain proper handling equipment...
if the 'evil, socialist' NHS can provide sufficient moving and handling equipment there is no excuse ...
Gold_SJ
159 Posts
Yes back injuries are very high in the nursing field particulary the lower back, similar to how shoulder/neck injuries are high in the administration/receptionist field.
Just speaking out of experience in the hospital system I had my first major injury to my back when a client used me as hand hold. This individual was a surgical client who was highly obese, grabbed my wrists and pulled themselves up stretching me over the bottom of the bed and tearing the structures of my discs in my lower back. It happened against my will and now it still causes me significant pain.
The thing people can forget is the unpredictability in nursing, you may follow all the 'no lift' policies, have the right amount of people, use the machines, but clients can fall, and in a people orientated profession they have a will of their own so if they grab onto you causing you to bend or twist with excessive force damage can be done.
So yes back injury is something to be considered. Just remember all occupations have their own risks to them, whether it's losing fingers, burnout, cancer or joint damage its a part of the parcel and although I now have a lifetime injury I don't regret my choice to go into nursing one iota.
Like others have said, work on your core strength, pelvic floors, wear good shoes, do your best to be healthy and not gain weight and put more pressure on your back and do your best to watch out for potentially dangerous situations.
Eg. For me, I keep two steps away from individuals who are less/non compliant so I can't be grabbed onto, I get another to assist me with anyone I think could fall or put weight on my body unintentially. I have a supportive chair for when I sit that supports the lower structures.
Don't let any of us scare you off, as I personally love my job, I work fulltime in a children's ward and remember to never take shortcuts when it comes to my back. I have no regrets other then myself being somewhat naive and trusting when nineteen. You go in and are less observant and never think people would do anything without your permission, now I know better and guard myself from it.
^.~ I guess just expect the unexpected, look after yourself and I'm sure you'll have a very rewarding career in the nursing profession.