[opalesce]

'The old Nurses Back' I'm now in that boat too. I can understand some of your feelings...I can no longer work at the bedside as primary care R/N. as repetitive manual handling is a nursing issue. I am going to change to another area of nursing. It means learning more, but I'll be adding to my knowledge base. Look at where you've worked, you could go into teaching or being a resource person in your areas of expertise.Further short studies would keep one's mind occupied.And there's a demand for your knowledge. I wish the best in your endeavours. Send the depression on its way out of your life. Cheers...

[code50]

Thanks so much for your quote. I know I am not the only nurse ever injured in the battle fields of a hospital, but when you know in your heart how dedicated you were & skillful & that you really did make a difference in the lives of your patients, it is very difficult to go down another avenue. I have since moved to another state, which makes it even more difficult to pursue another route without having to "prove myself". At 57yrs (young) I would find it very difficult to have to "sell myself" to perhaps a 30yr old nurse coordinator. I will find something I'm sure......hopefully it will be satisfying. Thanks again!

[princenina]

hi Code 50,
back injuries are tough, and it can be a long and difficult journey ( so speaks the voice of sad experience)
You must get some treatement and support for your depression, and it must be multi focal.... by that I mean set yourself some forward looking challenges as well as the pharmacological and psychological support you need.
Perhaps you could think about what you would have done if you hadn't chosen nursing and give it a go....a new challenge will occupy your mind, a new skill is no load to carry in life, and if the worst happens and you are unable to resume your career you are off in a new direction.
It doesn't have to be a major goal just a new and different focus, at the risk of being simplistic it sometimes helps to see oneself as a good say flower arranger... rather than a broken down nurse.
I hope you don't think I'm patronizing you but I have been on a journey like yours and I came out the other end sane ... I think!!!
Sorry to other readers for hijacking the purpose of this thread but felt I had to answer.

[princenina]

I spent a lot of my career working in rural or industrial sites as a sole practitioner.
I have been watching the thread about the use of titles and thought I would share one of my favorite stories.
I was working as the OH&S Nurse for a big paper company in a rural centre with minimal support systems.Because of the factory processes the workforce participated in a regular screening program for heavy metals. Until I came on board the practise was random urine tests but on the advice of a toxicologist I wanted to introduce pre daily exposure blood tests. Because of the local logistics it was resolved that I do the venopucture on site and then take the samples to town ....(60mins away) each morning for a couple of weeks, it took that long to accomodate the shift roster.
It all had to be approved by the local union reps so off I went to a shop floor meeting to put the case for inhouse speciman collecting rather than everyone having to go to town.
Once we ironed out the confidentiality issues and the access of results by individuals own medical practitioners there was only one problem....One big burly union rep was very nervous, he wanted to be sure his blood was taken by a "proper person". I need to add I was called by my Christian name by the workforce and generally wore grey culottes and a colored blouse with flat courts to work....never let anyone tell you appearances dont count.
My anxious friend was to be my first client the next morning so overnight I came up with a solution to the "proper person" stuff.
When he arrived in my office he was greeted by a white uniform. veil, and the full issue of ironmongery to denote my qualifications.
My beloved red woolen cape hung on the back of my chair.
He walked in, looked about, sat down meekly, rolled up his sleeve and said.. "is that far enough Sister or should I take my jumper off"

It really made me think about how we present ourselves and I wonder if life was perhaps easier when we all dressed in a way which fitted the public's expectation.
I might add I only had a veil because it was with the memorabilia from my graduation, I only ever worked for one employer who insisted on them and that was a meat works! How I was supposed to add "tone" to an abattoir I still haven't worked out but the white starched veil was apparently the key.

[code50]

Princenina.....thank you for your response. I have begun to get the "pharamogological" help that I finally relented to. I knew that I needed intervention, but I tried to help myself rather than seek out "a little pill" to aid in my therapy. I am now giving into the fact that I also need the help of a therapist, which I am in the process of finding. I realize that I may have to go down another avenue when it comes to employment......but, do I want to? Right now....NO! Do I think I could ever work the floors again.....NO! There has to be a happy medium.....I just have not yet found it. Thanks again for your mental boost......Code 50

[punkingirl]

hello, looking at legal nursing and also taking a coding course...40+ years RN..disabled .. 2 years..need employment..advice.....I am open to suggestions...thank-you

[sharona97]

Originally Posted by macspuds

I, also am a disabled nurse who can no longer work, but have found my niche as a volunteer Hospice caretaker in a small hospice house. They have four hour shifts and two residents. This is a God sent place for me, for I missed my full time nursing work so much. I was Charge nurse 3-11Pm on a Dementia and Alzheimer unit and loved every one of my patients.
I have also been working sporatically on a short story of events and humorous happenings when I was at work.
In order to keep from being depressed this is the way to go, I think.
Of course, someone will have to monitor my spelling 24-7.
There is so much knowledge to share that it would be great if we did so with the new grads, for it can be so easy to "slip" today, for we are stretched to the limit some days.
macspuds

Hi Macspuds,

I'm 48y/o and disabled (resp). I too am thinking about rtw in hospice arena. I'm currently in scholl for the LPN to RN program and it does sound so different as to when I went to school 1982-1986. Kinda scary, can you tell me more about your experience with hospice?

Thanks

[sharona97]

What I miss about nursing is the patients and yes the rat race. Beats pain, being lessmobile etc. OK, a funny story. Worked in an office and did Occ hralth drug screens. A foreigner came one day and I helped him with the paperwork and then we proceeded to go into the stringent restroom just for ua drug screens. I waited and I waited and you know. So I yell out everything ok in there. He responds yes. I still wait. Room is very quite. He finally comes out with the container and he had masterbated into the sterile cup. Oh My God, Iexplained the best I could we need him to drink water so he can urinate. He finally did, but was it hard not to laugh at him. Poor thing.

Ok I', doing emergency medicine. In comes a guy and as it turns out a vibrator had been inserted into his anus. Still vibrating when the Dr. pulled it out. The xray was in a discreet part of the area and all could see why he came in. He was so embarrassed. That's all I got.

[wazmom]

i am a nurse with 25yrs experience. became disabled in 2002. My main problems now are equilibrium and fatique. I have numerous other symptoms that would not affect my performance. I truly miss direct patient care, but at this point that is not an option. I have helped family and friends by aiding in care of terminally ill people @home. That usually raises my spirits because it makes me feel useful and like a nurse. I am considering checking with state health for job, or pch. any other suggestions would be appreciated.

[ingelein]

Now that I have been out of nursing for two years, I cant say that I ever want to go back.Until a time comes when nurses gather the strength to form strong powerful unions, nursing as a career is not one I would recommend.There were no "good old days" in my career of 27 years.I'd rather forget.