Which nursing specialty or position is the most physically demanding?

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About to start nursing school and just exploring different specialties and wondering which of them is the hardest and most challenging physically.

Thanks

Josh

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About to start nursing school and just exploring different specialties and wondering which of them is the hardest and most challenging physically.

Thanks

Josh

HMM. ltach or even ICUs where most of the patients are total care? That can even be some LTCs or med surg floors. If you meant challenging physically as leaving sore some or most days. I wouldn't say any field is like construction work on a daily basis. But maybe I still have youth on my side or only a clue as to what construction work is like.

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Specializes in LTC, medsurg.

I have to say med surg. There are days that are so physically exhausting that I wonder why I continue. For one, I like the people I work with, we are a team and help each other on hard days. And even though the job is hard, it can be very fullfilling to be a great nurse to people in need.

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Being a wound/treatment nurse in LTC! Holding peoples legs up and bending at weird angles to apply dressings *kills* your back. Ever have to apply a dressing to the bottom of a heel on a 400lb pt? Imagine doing stuff like that for eight hours....

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Ortho!

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Specializes in LTC, medsurg.
Ortho!
I guess I need to clarify my post. I work ortho/neuro/medsurg. We get a little bit of everything including traumas, TKA/THAs, CVAs, diabetic foot ulcers, GI stuff. I mean everything!! Lol It's hard. I always wake up sore the next day.
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Psych :)

I say that because you sometimes spend entire shifts running from floor to floor, "wrestling" with clients (holds) and dodging punches, kicks, spit, etc.

Beyond that, you are doing medical cares on clients that don't always want them performed. Add to that doing ADLs (again on client's that don't always want them).

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

OP: be prepared for as many different answers as there are specialties, and they're all going to be correct.

My answer is that any unit regardless of specialty that is not adequately staffed is the most physically demanding...which is a lot of them a lot of the time. Because it means that you have fewer staff doing more work and having more patients per staff member.

And guess who it falls on if the techs/CNAs can't do something? Yes, the nurses. If you have no one for whatever reason (lack of body, they're occupied, poor working environment) to delegate to or help you with the back-breaking or grunt work tasks, saddle up: you're going to be doing it all yourself.

Having even just one more coworker to help/share the work can make a considerable difference. So can a great working environment where everyone helps each other regardless of job title or licensure.

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Psych :)

I say that because you sometimes spend entire shifts running from floor to floor, "wrestling" with clients (holds) and dodging punches, kicks, spit, etc.

Beyond that, you are doing medical cares on clients that don't always want them performed. Add to that doing ADLs (again on client's that don't always want them).

My mum (just about to finish Bsc adult nursing) told me the same thing and that since you can't hit patients back of course all you can do is dodge and take it haha

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Thanks for the responses guys! All seems very diverse atm keep them coming!

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@RockinChick66

I've read that a lot too every where not just this site that med/surg is VERY tough mentally and physically. No one seems to like it but to me it sounds quite challenging and rewarding because of it.

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Ortho!

Why ortho beeker?

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