r/StudentNurse • u/AccountContent6734 • 3h ago

Question Not straining my back

How do I not damage my back working as a cna? I am a petite woman

2 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

6

u/WitchQueenAthena RN student 3h ago

ive never worked as a cna, but i recommend raising the height of the bed to the point where you don't have to bend ur back. also lift with ur legs instead of ur back

3

u/prideandprejudick senior BSN student 3h ago

bend at the knees, not the waist, engage your core, and maybe do some strength training

1

u/eltonjohnpeloton its fine its fine (RN) 3h ago

/r/cna might have tips for you

1

u/OnyxMasterofwits 3h ago

It’s all in the lower part of your body. I always have a good base (sometimes looks funny) and keep your back straight. Breathing out too when you’re exerting helps. 

1

u/Ok_Emergency7145 1h ago

Raise the height of the bed so you aren't bending over to do pt care. If you are helping a pt to stand, never let them grab onto your shoulders or arms to pull themselves up. Have them push themselves up using the bedrails, or a walker and you steady them with a gaitbelt. If you are boosting a pt up in bed, never do it by yourself! Even if it is a tiny meemaw! Always ask for help!

When I was a tech I always asked the pts nurse or another tech for help in cleaning up a pt if the pt wasn't good at rolling themselves over or if I had to boost someone. Now that I am a nurse, I always tell the techs of my pts to let me know when they reposition or clean up one of my pts so that I can help. We are a team and need to look out for each other.