What are the physical demands of the home health care nurse

[peacetou]

Hi all,

Would you please tell me what some of the physical demands might be for a home health care nurse? Are they different for RN's and LPN's? Is there ever a need for back support? :nurse:Thank you! :redbeathe

[annaedRN, RN]

Bending, lifting, twisting? Sure! Maybe not as often as in the hospital though. You need to be able to get on/off floor easily (for wound care). Be able to use hoyer lifts independently. Be able to lift, reposition a bed bound patient..usually by yourself. Be able to adapt to the patient's environment - meaning bending over for 30 min to provide complex dressing change because no hospital bed or available chairs, or kneeling in a corner in an awkward angle to be able to get to patient's "good veins". So, while not as often, you will come across occasions that you will need to protect your back. Hope that helps!! Oh - and if you plan on doing shift work...you usually provide the personal care as well....so even more bending, lifting and twisting!!

[KateRN1]

Don't forget the hours spent in the car which can have consequences as well. Most cars are not made for long-haul driving. Carrying a heavy visit bag, with or without laptop for documentation, is also a strain on the back. Consider also the elements. Depending where you are and your physical condition, weather can be a big impact.

[peacetou]

So, what are some suggestions for longevity in Home healthcare? It sounds like maintaining a strong back, core and arms are important.

[KateRN1]

A thick skin, a huge amount of common sense, the personality to meet patients where they are and not where you want them to be, the ability to see beyond what someone says into what they mean, the ability to gerry-rig something out of what you have when you don't have what you need, keen assessment skills and the knowledge of what to do with your findings, the ability to withstand the daily lure of drive-thru windows, superior organizational and communication skills, and a comfortable car that gets great mileage.

[peacetou]

well, I have a great car that gets good mileage...guess I'll have to work on the rest:jester: Thanks!

[Luv2care0907]

the ability to gerry-rig something out of what you have .

You can say that again. If there is one quality you need in HH, it is resourcefulness.

I work with babies. So I typically don't do a lot of heavy lifting etc. But I did take care of a client for a day who was in a totally incapacitated state. To break the monotony of the day, they put this person on an air mattress before changing the diaper and doing CPT. I had a really hard time with that because I had to be on my knees for a long time doing some strenuous work. I found that position very difficult to work in.

I think HH requires more sitting than the hospital setting too.

Hope that helps.

[peacetou]

ecommerce, i don't see any article....just a nursing school ad...I think that we could all live by katern's suggestions. as an intermittent nurse, I didn't think I would have as many physical demands...also, i don't plan on carrying my laptop or doing lots of documentation while in each home. It sounds like flexibility is the name of the game...

[caliotter3]

Sometimes the drive can be a problem. I suffered from the hot sun beating down on me during a sweltering two hour drive home and ended up in the hospital ER. I talked to my employer and was able to move to night shift.

[septvirgo03]

...i'm recouping from a strained right shoulder now...i would normally keep my laptop and/or heavy nursing bag in my back seat (as well as my purse, food, etc). and was constantly reaching behind me (twisting and turning the shoulder constantly; lifting my heavy nsg bag while twisting my arm/shoulder), and now, my shoulder joint is sore and pops regularly, as well as neck muscle spasms...so now, i keep all of my stuff up front, in the front seat and on the front floor of the car....also, the constant sitting/driving could possibly have a toll on your lower back...i have lower back aches as well (i sound in terrible shape, lol, but just keepin' it real:)

lastly, i find that the long days and constant driving takes its toll on your energy...but i'm sure that could be relieved by making some "me" time (some meditation, yoga/stretching, exercise, hot bath, etc..), something to unwind yourself mentally and physically.

[peacetou]

I'm sorry about your shoulder. I can see how that could happen. You have to be conscious ALL the time! I have been in that situation so I can relate there. I think that everything should be in easy reaching distance. I try not to distract myself while driving. It's worth it to pull over when I need to get something. I got into a terrible accident once by trying to grab something that fell from the front seat once...you can imagine. I understand about lower back pain too...my anxiety stems from trying to move a patient independently. I have paid for that mistake for years. I know that hh is all all about working by yourself but for the past 10 years, I have made it a point to not put myself into a situation where I need to lift someone who is more than I can handle. So, although I know that driving is stressful stuff, I think I am more concerned about the actual work in the house. As a visiting nurse with 30mins-1hour with each patient, isn't it less physical than say, hospital or private duty work? Thanks and feel better soon!

[Carrie_MTC]

Lots and lots of squating. Many houses don't have available seats, that you can move to where you need them. Some houses can be pretty cluttered making sterile dressing changes, tube feeds, and what not difficult.