What are the physical demands of the home health care nurse

sweetsugar · Oct 8, 2010

You need a very "thick" skin . . . :uhoh3:

juzme · Oct 23, 2010

hmmmm to me, the particular private duty case I have, it is the physical demands of the case, but the psychological ones! ARGH, really I try to understand that the mother of this grown client in his late 20s is overprotective of him and needs to watch everything..fine, but it is the constant explosions of her temper at times, that may make me leave this pretty overall nice case:crying2: I try to tell myself, just let it all go, I do the mental eye rolls in my head, vent to friends, but sometimes it still puts me on edge. It is not like you can even talk to her about how she is, she does apologize at times, but then it is too late. It is like working for a child that can't control their temper. Every job has it's good and bad I tell myself:eek: :uhoh3:

Luv2care0907 · Oct 23, 2010

hmmmm to me, the particular private duty case I have, it is the physical demands of the case, but the psychological ones!

That is a shame. It is so hard when you are in the home of somebody like that and you can't leave or get away from it. I have had two cases that were like that. One was the longest 8 hours I have ever had in my entire life. The only reason I didn't leave was because the agency told me in orientation that if we left a case, it was an automatic firing. I couldn't afford that. So I stayed that day but I never went back to that home.

Sometimes I believe the PCG needs as much medical care, in terms of psychology, as the client does. I can't imagine what some of these folks go through once they realize that this is never going to change. I have said this before on this board, but PCGs of chronically ill children go through a grieving process that never ends and get stuck in the anger phase of it. It is hard to come to a resolution.

RNcsemgr · Oct 23, 2010

Well having been a home care nurse X 20 yrs., here's a few: climbing up 25 or more stairs to the walk up apt. of your client with your bag and all your equipment, or diggin yourself out of your snowed in parking spot or the ditch into which your car slid, or beding down to your bedbound client lying only a few inches off the floor (no hosp. bed) to change his/her dressing, or walking 50 ft. down a long driveway to visit a client who requires you to use the back door only. This is just a few. If you're small and slight of build, you'll be fine.

peacetou · Oct 23, 2010

ugggh!!! doesn't sound like a day in the park! I'm not a spring chicken (do they use that term anymore??) anyway, it's worth a try, right? If you were in it for 20 years, you must have found some enjoyment?? Thanks for sharing:heartbeat

Tell me more if you feel like it!! I want to know more!!! :yeah:

NissaNurse · Mar 12, 2012

Well this is an old thread but really useful. Should be able to change a tire. run away from dog, climb a fence, step over chickens , all while carrying your visit bag, and laptop. Ok I admit I am in the country our requirements are different than those of the city.

caliotter3 · Mar 12, 2012

Well this is an old thread but really useful. Should be able to change a tire. run away from dog, climb a fence, step over chickens , all while carrying your visit bag, and laptop. Ok I admit I am in the country our requirements are different than those of the city.

These can also apply to urban or suburban areas. Yes, I had a client who had chickens running around the backyard. When I went out there for some reason I can't remember, I had to be careful how I stepped around. And she told me that the chickens would become dinner at some point. That was what really got me. How anyone can do that to a pet, is beyond me.

NissaNurse · Mar 12, 2012

Well if they told you they would become dinner. They were never thought as pets. I grew up and had chickens. We did have our pet chickens that never became dinner though, and then we had our" dinner chickens"

caliotter3 · Mar 13, 2012

I just prefer to get my dinner chickens from the grocery store. There is something about that naked, headless chicken body that does not lend itself to my vision of a pet that I've grown fond of.

MauraRN · Mar 16, 2012

Chickens, mean little dogs, even a pet pig. Did not eat pork chops for 6 months, the pet pig's name was Pork Chop. And I work inner-city. I have the shoulder, back, knee aches as descibed above, in addition, I climb many sets of narrow stairs in tenements lugging the bag and computer. Keep your legs strong!