I feel like my career is coming to an end after a major surgery

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Geriatric Med/Surg.

Hi there. I have been an LPN for 3 years, almost 4. I was diagnosed last year with Chiari Malformation which resulted in a suboccipital craniectomy/c1 laminectomy. 1 week later I went back to my part time clinic job, but quit a few months later bease I feel I rushed back into it. I haven't been nursing for the past 4 months.

I no longer feel confident in my ability to be a nurse, I no longer feel confident in my ability to be a good co-worker, and I'm struggling to find a path that will allow me to be a nurse without having multiple paints so I can focus on just one at a time. Obviously, my cognition is "foggy". Yu can say I'm A&O×4 with occasional confusion.

I live in California and I am hoping you all can provide answers that I may have not yet thought of. I need to be able to afford my monthly student loan bill especially that I'm still a relatively new nurse.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Welcome to Allnurses.com!

I am so very sorry about the issues you are experiencing. Have you thought about work-at-home opportunities that eliminate interaction with coworkers and allow you to work at your own pace? I'd visit the career websites of insurance companies to see what positions they're offering.

Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

First you must give your self time to heal - you had brain surgery for C's sake" Talk to your Dr. about getting some cognitive therapy to improve your cognition. Rest and recover then decide what you would like to do with regard to your career. Nothing is more important than your health. While you are recovering do some research on the areas of nursing that you may like to try. There may be positions out there that you haven't even thought of. Like Diabetes educator, or medical device trainer/demonstrator. Please don't be offended as this is only a suggestion and you are free to ignore it but if you are a person of faith pray on it. Often a new door opens when another is shut. and if there are no new doors in the room you are in climb out the window.

Hppy

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Specializes in Geriatric Med/Surg.

I wasn't aware that working from home was an option for LPN/LVN's but I'll definitely start some research. Thank you!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I wasn't aware that working from home was an option for LPN/LVN's but I'll definitely start some research. Thank you!
Yes. Due to new provisions that have been brought about by ObamaCare, many of the major insurance companies (United Healthcare, Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, etc) have been hiring RN and LPN case managers like crazy.

Some of the positions are work-at-home opportunities whereas others are telephonic advice nursing jobs that require you to answer phone calls at a local call center. With either type of job, you'd greatly reduce the amount of face time with coworkers. I'd see what's out there.

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