This may sound like a dumb title, but I am asking for advice on the proper positioning/transporting method of transporting a 17yr female pt from tub to walker.
The last time I practiced transporting/positioning patients was in nursing school 2 years ago in my first semester. I became a school nurse right out of BSN school and do not pick up/move/position or transport patients. This is my first job as PDN. My only concern is that this patient has CP and she is my height and size. I am a petite 23 yr old female, and hardly strong enough to pick up someone my same size out of a tub to a walker. My fear is of hurting the patient or possibly dropping her during the transport! :/ I know I sound stupid, but I would just like some positioning advice on how to safely move this patient without causing harm. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I have been told on more than one occasion that a male nurse was preferred for young male patients, so I can see that people, patients, parents, and even nurses, might be weirded out by nurse gender.
it just doesn't seem right to me (maybe my upbringing)
but i've worked on several adolescent et young adult male
cases with other female nurses and never thought about it twice
as uthscsa2011 said, it is a personal preference and i'm not
changing mine, but i struggle with being inconsistant
I had no idea you were a male nurse, Systoly! I don't know why since your avatar is clearly a male symbol, I just never pay attention to them. I have mental images of the nurses that write on here a lot and I will have to change my image of you now!
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Just some thoughts . .first insist on a thorough orientation to every aspect of the client/patient's care. I've noted that many times the orienting nurse will gloss over details just to get through the process. Go through the plan of care and make sure you can answer "yes" to all the "hows" in her care. I agree with those who suggest that current caregivers demonstrate how they currently move the patient. Ask them to observe you as you try it yourself if at all possible.
Because a good number of home patients and caregivers balk at the Hoyer Lift and other devices, I have seen some creative work-arounds that are very individualized to the patient's level of motor function and ability to control the movements of their own extremities, which can vary quite a bit with CP and can result in injury to both of you.
As a general rule, we want to help, and we want to get the job done. Sometimes this leads us to try things that can result in permanent damage to our health and ability to continue to work, or to inadvertently harm the patient. I have to remind myself of this truth even now. Best wishes as you start in this unique area in nursing!
Each and every one is extremely professional and I would trust my daughters with them in a clinical situation if need be, no prob!
uthscsa2011
106 Posts
From what I was told, this patient has CP and cannot do any bathing herself.