I have been a nurse since 1978. I have for the last 15 years suffered from chronic low back pain due to trying to move patients when there is no help available. I am afraid that my career is ending because of this chronic pain. I am using the anonymous zone because I have kept this pain hidden and never sought medical help. I did not want this to ever cause the end of my nursing career. We are taught the idealistic methods of lifting and moving patients, but not how to deal with the realistic methods. I would like to hear from other nurses having this specific type of pain and how they deal with it in their own nursing careers.

Yes, I have tried everything. I brought this topic up because I wish the new nurses to be aware of this type of injury. When I was a volunteer on our local EMS, we always used the count of "1, 2, 3". When 3 was said, we all knew to lift. When working with patients, especially in home health, many cannot understand the use of this count. My patients are usually too impared to understand. I do try the count, but when I reach "3", I am moving dead weight.  The wife of one of my patients, could not move her husband with me or without me. It is my on last day that I recommended a "high/low" hospital bed in their home. This would help with transfer from WC to bed.

In my whole career, I have met only one person who understood the 1, 2, 3 count. He was on hospice and was employed by the local EMS as an EMT. We worked great together. Using the count, I taught him how to back up, feel on his calves whatever he was intending to sit, then we counted to 3 for him to sit. He was a great guy, and I lost him 2 weeks later.

The reason why I have never told any employer about this chronic condition is because it actually crept up on me and became chronic. Currently, without notice, my lower back pain returns...even doing something very simple in my own home.

So, all new nurses or nurses-to-be, talk to those of us who can teach you the best methods of lifting, turning, etc. so that your back is protected. Also, regarding the Hoyer Lift, you still have to roll your patient so that the seat is under the patient. If you can, always turn your patients with help or padding siderails so your patient will not be injured. In home health, one has to improvise. I could never have enough pillows!!! I would always buy new pillows and take them with me. This I would do because the patient is usually in their own bed...no siderails and no way of protecting your patient from rolling off the bed on the other side. I would place pillows on the floor, where ever there was a sharp object (side of a table), and then mounds of pillows on the bed.

With geriatrics, their fragile skin must be constantly addressed. This is where when pillows come in handy. However, always check and change positions q2h because decubs can suddenly appear.

I could write a book about my adventures in nursing. I will never regret my being called to become a nurse. The only problem in working as a nurse, is that whenever a person asks what I do for a living...the word "nurse" causes them to change the subject. I laugh inside about this...when we reach the Pearly Gates, God will welcome us with open arms...there is a special place in Heaven for nurses!!!