I'd appreciate any advice you can give me. You will see from my profile I am 36. I have just applied to nursing school here in UK. I have enough quals to get a place, I reckon, but I have no experience. I have been thinking for years about getting into this field and have finally decided to go for it. Mid-life crisis?? My years of admin work have literally bored me to tears. I get NO satisfaction from it at all.
I am currently trying to get into my local nursing home as a care assistant as it'll give me much needed experience and a feel for the work. Also, if I am too late for this year's nursing intake I'll gain SVQ quals while I wait.
My question is - is 5 ft 10" too tall for this sort of work? My mum always thought I was too tall for this work. I don't know. I realise lifting is involved and I am not a weakling or anything. I've had the odd muscle spasm from being hunched at a desk for 15 years tho :chuckle
I have heard that back trouble gets a lot of nurses and I'm a tall girl. My husband's aunt was a midwife at 6ft 1" and is very hunched now (late 60s) with osteoporosis but this may have happened regardless?!
As a shorty myself, I do seem to be less inclined to back injuries. But the taller girls seem to have an advantage with leverage. Use good body mechanics, raise the bed to a good height for you.
Good nurses come in all shapes and sizes. Only size requirements i can think of in occupation might be sumo wrestler or model.
I agree,, good body mechanics is the key to preventing back problems. Learn to lift correctly and make it good habit and you shouldnt have any problems.
Good luck,, late life learners make good nurses. Maturity factor says a lot in your dedication to school work and on the job.
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Just like to say No you are not too tall and here in the UK we have a no lifting policy, all beds in the hospital should be pump up beds so raise the bed to height required to safetly help you move the patient. This will all be covered in your training. Best of luck
Well, I'm 6' 2", the only time this ever presented a problem was when scrubbing with a surgeon who must have been all of 4' 10" and trying to do things like retract or go to the head. No fun. Of course, he would be on a really big footstool, but it didn't even make up the difference. He was always asking the circulator to bring me a hole to stand in. :rotfl:
Least that scare you off, let me tell you, it was far from a big deal and probably the worst thing that could happen b/c of height. But seriously. Height is pretty much a non-issue. Welcome to the world of nursing, and good luck on your studies!
Electric beds are my best friend as they go up really fast, and no need to crank that rusty old crank. I'm mindful of always bending my legs and using these thighs and hips to boost instead of my back. Wal-mart sells scrub bottoms and I've found them to be quite long. Can't beat 12 dollars!
I'd appreciate any advice you can give me. You will see from my profile I am 36. I have just applied to nursing school here in UK. I have enough quals to get a place, I reckon, but I have no experience. I have been thinking for years about getting into this field and have finally decided to go for it. Mid-life crisis?? My years of admin work have literally bored me to tears. I get NO satisfaction from it at all.
I am currently trying to get into my local nursing home as a care assistant as it'll give me much needed experience and a feel for the work. Also, if I am too late for this year's nursing intake I'll gain SVQ quals while I wait.
My question is - is 5 ft 10" too tall for this sort of work? My mum always thought I was too tall for this work. I don't know. I realise lifting is involved and I am not a weakling or anything. I've had the odd muscle spasm from being hunched at a desk for 15 years tho :chuckle
I have heard that back trouble gets a lot of nurses and I'm a tall girl. My husband's aunt was a midwife at 6ft 1" and is very hunched now (late 60s) with osteoporosis but this may have happened regardless?!
Help!
Height has NOTHING to do with your effectiveness as a nurse! You can always wear a back support if you feel the need! You'll be able to reach things off high shelves and you will be the envy of your short colleagues (who will ask you to get things off those high shelves.
I am 5'3 and have to use a step stool a lot! Best of luck!!
My question is - is 5 ft 10" too tall for this sort of work? My mum always thought I was too tall for this work. I don't know. I realise lifting is involved and I am not a weakling or anything. I've had the odd muscle spasm from being hunched at a desk for 15 years tho :chuckle
I have heard that back trouble gets a lot of nurses and I'm a tall girl. My husband's aunt was a midwife at 6ft 1" and is very hunched now (late 60s) with osteoporosis but this may have happened regardless?!
Help!
The things that came out of adults' mouths that stuck with us...
I always thought my 5'9" was "normal" and everyone else was short :) .
But after hearing how my ears stuck out (from mom) I still must keep them covered w/ my hair. (No one else seems to think they are a problem - hmmm.)
Stop hunching and sign up for those nursing courses! Your mind and back will thank you!!
I'm 5'10" also. In addition to raising the bed for procedures, having a wide stance for when you transfer patients is important. Best wishes for your future educational and career path! :)
I'm 5'10" also. In addition to raising the bed for procedures, having a wide stance for when you transfer patients is important. Best wishes for your future educational and career path! :)
Stop hunching and sign up for those nursing courses! Your mind and back will thank you!!
LOL! This made me laugh. Thank you all so much for making me feel so welcome and giving me the benefit of your expertise. This is going to be a fantastic place to come for support all through this massive career change.
I am going to my local nurisng home tonight to see if they can get me started with a few shifts.
LOL! This made me laugh. Thank you all so much for making me feel so welcome and giving me the benefit of your expertise. This is going to be a fantastic place to come for support all through this massive career change.
I am going to my local nurisng home tonight to see if they can get me started with a few shifts.
I'm 5'7" (and I might still grow more! :chuckle ) and I'm determined to be a nurse. Yeah, it can be a little interesting when you're doing a two-person lift with a co-worker who's only 4'10" , but it has usually worked out for me! Don't let height get in the way of your dreams, toadflax, you deserve better. Good luck to you!
, but it has usually worked out for me! Don't let height get in the way of your dreams, toadflax, you deserve better. Good luck to you!
chadash
1,429 Posts
As a shorty myself, I do seem to be less inclined to back injuries. But the taller girls seem to have an advantage with leverage. Use good body mechanics, raise the bed to a good height for you.