Did you know that as a nurse, you have a higher chance of having back issues? Then when you think about it, this makes sense. With all the bending over to get stats on the patient and checking their IV pumps, etc. as well as the moving of patients for the various reasons. Here are some tips we have heard over the years on best ways to avoid major back issues.

When a patient needs to be lifted or moved, don’t do it alone. Two nurses are better than one in this sort of situation. Also, if there is a mechanical lift, take advantage of it!

If you must do it alone make sure you follow these tips: Keep your back straight, try not to bend & twist at the same time and to carry the weight in your thighs & calf muscles rather than your lower back.

To strengthen your back muscles, take up some yoga! Doing some of the traditional positions can stretch and strengthen your back muscles. If you are feeling a bit sore, do one of these positions and it can bring you relief pretty quickly!

Bridge Pose: Lie on your back and bring your feet close to your bottom (knees will be at a 45 degree angle). With your arms at your side flex your butt muscles and lift your butt into the air to make a straight line from your knees to your chest.
Child's Pose: Kneel on the ground and sit on your heels. Align your knees to be should width apart. Extend your arms in front of your head. Lean forward until your head touches the ground (or as far as you are comfortable going). Your chest will be right above your legs. Stretch for about 20-30 seconds then slowly go back up to the sitting position.

For the ladies we love the Women’s Staff Length lab coat. This lab coat has ample storage for all the equipment you may need on a daily basis. With its poplin fabric (80/20 Poly/Cotton) it is both comfortable and durable. It also has a slide slash opening on either side so that you can easily access your pants and scrub top pockets underneath. This lab coat was cut and design for women. The princess seamed back with the belt makes anyone look slimmer and more feminine.

For the men we suggest the Full Length Lab Coat with Knot Button. This premium lab coat is made of 100% pre-shrunk cotton and has knot button closures. This heavy weight twill fabric is one of our most durable lab coats that can hold any of your daily equipment with ease. With 15 different sizes, there is a size for everyone!

All of our lab coats can be custom embroidered and typically ship in 7 days (typically in two if you don’t get embroidery).

One of our favorite scrub pants would have to be the ComfortEase Unisex Cargo Pants with Drawstring. These pants have three pockets to carry all the daily items a nurse might have. Two of the pockets are on the sides of the scrub pants which allow for easy access, and are deep so they can carry the bulky items such as highlighters/ sharpies or treats for your well behaved patients (perfect for nurses who work in pediatrics!)

Not only do these pants have lots of space to store things, they feature a four panel construction for added durability. These scrub pants are also comprised of 65% polyester and 35% cotton to give you a comfortable pant that has minimal shrinking and the color won’t fade. These scrub pants are available in regular length and tall length (35” inseam). This pant can be paired with the 910 reversible top or the ComfortEase Women’s Tunic top (8851).

The 910 & 900 Reversible nursing scrub set is our most popular ComfortEase top and pants. ComfortEase is our softest scrub brand with a blend of polyester and cotton. By blending these two materials, we get the softness and comfort of cotton, while having the strength and durability of the polyester. The polyester also reduces the amount of shrinking that will occur.
The pants have a braided drawstring to make it easy to tie and untie the pants. They also have one large pocket in the back to store items temporarily when you need to free up your hands. The loose cut of the legs allows anyone with any body shape to find a pair that is comfortable and fit perfectly.

The top has one chest pocket, perfect for any nurse that has only a few items to carry throughout the day. It also is generously cut so that there is more room across the back. This allows you to move freely without feeling constricted by your scrubs.
Both the top and the bottom have a soil-release finish which helps keep scrubs cleaner and resist stains. They are also reversible in case you get a cut in the pocket- this way you can keep the scrubs for a little bit longer!

A nurse does more than what any patient realizes. Nurses are the medical provider, the support system, the stern mother, the maid, and so much more. To do all these rolls nurses must be equipped. Here is our Nurses’ Gear Guide-

1.) Pens. A staple of the nurses’ arsenal. You never know when you will need a pen, and it would be very smart to always keep a back up because somehow pens have a knack for running away when you need them the most. If you don’t want the pen staying loose in your pocket, take advantage of the scissor pocket. Clip the pen onto the scissor pocket and the pen will stay in one place so you can find it when you need it. Use a scrub top like the AngelStat™ V-neck w/ two pockets which has the additional scissor pocket within the front pocket.

2.) Scrubs with pockets. Lots of them! With all the different items nurses need to carry around from patient to patient, pockets are a must have for scrubs! For maximum number of pockets, match the PerforMax™ 839 scrub top with two large pockets with the PerforMax™ Cargo scrub pants which has four pockets (2 front and 2 side pockets).

3.) Peppermint oil or other scented oil- for the patients that don’t smell like flowers or candy. Sometimes it’s just nature that a few patients will not smell good. But as a nurse, we must go in and stay professional and friendly. So, a little secret is to put some peppermint below the nose so you can smell something nice and remain composed and prevent the patient from feeling conscious about their body odor.

4.) Bag of tricks. Aka the tote bag that holds all the items a nurse needs throughout his/her shift. With all the items that are needed for the job on a daily basis, plus the personal items such as lunch, a wallet, phone, extra scrubs, change of clothes, etc. a nurse needs a bag that is able to hold it all and still look cute & trendy. Check out Medline’s trendy totes made of 50% recycled products and prices start at just $6.18!

5.) Stethoscope. Many nurses are responsible for having their own stethoscopes while on their shift. It is important to get a high quality stethoscope. We think it’s also important to have a back up stethoscope, because when working in the medical profession, we know surprises are the norm and a back up stethoscope should be in the nurse’s arsenal

6.) Scissors: You never know when you or a fellow nurse/ doctor will need some scissors. They can be for serious issues like cutting patients out of their clothes in the ER, or opening a package of fruit snacks for a patient who is too weak to open it themselves.

7.) Music: When you are on break, you need to escape the drama & stress the job brings. Go somewhere quiet and listen to your favorite music. Music is known to help relieve stress and it will certainly break up the day being able to listen to some music half way through the shift!

For all of your accessories & scrub needs visit www.scrubs123.com for the lowest prices on quality scrubs!