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STUDENT NURSE PLACEMENT

WORK DESCRIPTION

1.DRIVING

  • Getting in and out of vehicle.
  • Sitting in car reading road maps and client notes.
  • Accessing boot for stock and client notes - most stock items are light, eg. dressings.
  • Lifting boot - reaching in for stock.
  • Carrying items into home, including stock and client notes.
  • Using mobile phones.

Type of action

  • Neck movement - turning left and right.
  • Getting in and out of vehicle.
  • Pulling boot door down.
  • Reaching into boot.

2.DOCUMENTATION/RECORD MAINTENANCE

(a)Client’s Home

Documentation at kitchen table or bedside

(b)Office

Documentation, reading, telephone. (All chairs are office chairs)

Type of Movement

  • Sitting.
  • Writing at table.
  • Reaching to answer telephone.

3.ROUND MANAGEMENT

(a)Office

Collecting stock for visits and carrying to car.

4.WOUND CARE

  • Mostly lower limbs
  • Wound location a major factor.
  • Frequently involves application of bandages.

Body Wounds

  • Often more difficult/complex for manual handling and positioning
  • Bed height an important factor.

Type of Movement

  • Getting up and down.
  • Kneeling on one knee (knight’s position).
  • Sitting.
  • In some situations, some bending resulting in forward flexion of the spine may be required.
  • Limbs may need lifting and holding by nurse if client unable to position or support.
  • Task: 20-40 minutes per task and may be repeated across the day.

5.ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING

5.1HYGIENE

5.1.1Stand-by Showers

Minimal assistance needed:

  • holding shower hose
  • passing soap, assisting with care of back, lower legs, hair washing
  • encouraging client to be independent
  • assisting with dressing
  • monitoring skin integrity and general condition

Type of Movement

  • Assistance with transferring.
  • Standing.
  • Reaching for soap and taps resulting in forward flexion of lumbar spine.
  • Picking items up from the floor.
  • Mopping floor (twisting to be minimised).
  • There is always the possibility of a client having a slip or requiring some steadying - taps for hand held shower rose often over the bath.

5.1.2Full assistance with hygiene

  • Varies considerably may include sponging in bed or showering
  • Requires knowledge of manual handling techniques and use of lifting machine.
  • Standing transfer to shower chair
  • Removal of clothing.
  • Washing client which may require supporting of client and washing.
  • Drying and dressing client.

Types of Movement

  • Transferring client using appropriate manual handling techniques.
  • Reaching, rolling client and repositioning client before and after sponge
  • Bending, forward flexion of lumbar spine
  • Squatting.
  • Pulling/pushing wheelchair, showerchair or lifting machine.

5.2BOWEL CARE

  • Administering PR enema - varies considerably depending on condition of client requiring enema.
  • From turning the client to use of lifting equipment.
  • Pushing wheelchair - similar as for hygiene.

Type of Movement

  • Bending
  • Twisting
  • Transferring

5.3CATHETERISATION

  • Involves bending over client and arm/shoulder movement.
  • May require turning or transferring client, or holding lower limbs apart for extended periods.

Type of Movement

  • Similar as for hygiene depending on condition requiring catheterisation.
  • Bending.
  • Bed height and width is an important factor.

5.4STOMAL CARE

  • Similar to wound care.

5.5PRESSURE AREA CARE

Turning and repositioning required. May have assistance of carer or nurse.

Risk factors include:

  • client size and mobility
  • height and width of bed
  • Skill of carer/assistant

Type of Movement

  • Assisted sliding
  • Bending
  • Pushing and pulling
  • Variable according to condition of client requiring pressure area care.

Usually involves other care. Use of slide sheets required.

6.MEDICATION MANAGEMENT

6.1ORAL MEDICATIONS

  • Sitting at a table, opening medicine bottles/blister packs.
  • Completing appropriate paperwork.
  • Task may be performed standing.

6.2INJECTIONS

  • Depending on site, minimal bending.
  • Filling insulin syringes - sitting or standing and drawing up.

6.3SYRINGE DRIVER

  • Time - 15-20 minutes
  • Minimal bending
  • May also require other care

H:\Student Management - Clinical Training\Student Orientation\Orientation\SN work description.DOC