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I have been doing some form of nursing for about 17 years. I hurt my back in sept. and did not see a doctor. I continued to work but thought it would get better. I hurt my back again in november and found out I had small to moderate herniated discs(4 in the lumbar). My physical therapist said I should not do direct patient care any longer. My doctor has not said this yet. What do you guys think? Nursing and my children are my life. Do I need to think about doing some other form of nursing?

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Specializes in Trauma/ED.

Similar thing happened to a friend of mine who was in a motor-vehicle accident...she started doing advice nursing in one of the clinics at the hospital and she loves it. She sits on her bum all day and surfs the internet...the brat...:)

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Was her pay relatively the same? I do have a family to support and love direct patient care!

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Specializes in Trauma/ED.

Yes she didn't change union's so her pay was the same. She was able to change from the acute care setting to the clinic side of the same hospital.

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heyhey, I have 3 bulging disks in my low back and 3 in my neck. The low back ones happened when I was a nursing assistant on a neuro floor of all places and started with a literal pain in the butt!! I was off work for almost 6 months, doing all kinds of therapy, etc. Nothing seemed to work and I was unwilling to go with surgery since they couldn't say for sure it would even help. As a last resort, I tried acupunture. It was the ONLY thing that helped me get off narcs. It didn't work overnight, but within a few weeks, it really did the trick. I can no longer do much bending.. so most patient care was out for me.. but I'm a unit coordinator now and love it. I've also been a lane server for 10 years (post back pain) and I think it's really helped me keep loose and kept my back from hurting too much. I know several nurses at my facility that have moved to a less physical area, like pre-op, nursery, and eating disorders. Good luck and I really hope you find something that works for you, both for the pain and for a less physical job!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

I guess im on the other end of the spectrum. I hurt my back several years before i went into nursing and suffered several bouts of back pain and it getting better. Then i hurt my back again and after laying in bed for a month (i literally was doing good to get to the bathroom, horrible siatica, numbness down the front of my leg with burning) i went to a neurosurgeon and had surgery. True it took me almost 4 months recovery at home, but i havent had any trouble since. I work full time on a busy med/surg floor, tug and pull moving patients all the time. I am careful about my posture when im working and moving people. I dont know how people can bother with physical therapy and meds etc for so long. That would make me crazy. I went for the fix and it worked out so positively for me. I went to a neurosurgeon because i felt when dealing with my spine i wanted someone who knows their way around the best. I knew the bones of my spine werent the problem, hence i chose neurologist rather than an orthopedic.

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Thanks for the input. However, the neuosurgeon said he would not do surgery on me. I don't know if it is because they are small to moderate in size or why. He looked at my MRI and his nurse called but had no reason why.

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Thanks for the input. I will consider looking into accupucture. Good luck with you.

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Specializes in geriatrics, pediatrics.

I can totally relate. I had to have surgery 12 yrs ago because one of the two buldging discs ruptured. I went into pediatric home nursing. I know my limits and know how much I can lift. The company I work for is aware of my limits and is great about making sure I am not placed with a child that requires a great deal of lifting. There are lots of babies coming home to be cared for and I have the best of both worlds--holding and cuddling babies and being a nurse. The pay is great. My back still hurts some days but rest and Ibuprofen or Aleve generally takes care of it. Best of luck to you.

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Specializes in Lie detection.
i have been doing some form of nursing for about 17 years. i hurt my back in sept. and did not see a doctor. i continued to work but thought it would get better. i hurt my back again in november and found out i had small to moderate herniated discs(4 in the lumbar). my physical therapist said i should not do direct patient care any longer. my doctor has not said this yet. what do you guys think? nursing and my children are my life. do i need to think about doing some other form of nursing?

visiting nurse here. i too have herniated discs that used to get horribly aggravated working in sicu.. now i do no lifting and still have direct pt. care. i work for a hospital based home care agency and my pay is actually better than the hospital is!! i am still union so have all the benefits and all the perks of working m-f days.. there are plenty of other nursing jobs you can do as well. check out monster.. they might have some interesting listings..

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