What options are there for nurses with mobility limitations?

[rndlh1996]

I am an RN with an ADN, 12 years experience, primarily in tele/step-down and ICU. I also have experience in hospice, LTC and psych. I am currently pursuing my BSN. I recently had a traumatic injury which aggravated a pre-existing osteoarthritic condition. I currently have difficulty walking, have chronic pain, have balance issues at times, and have limited endurance. Needless to say, direct patient care is not an option for me at this time. There is limited hope for an immediate recovery, as my orthopedic surgeon says that at 45 I am too young for a new knee. I am trying to find out what my options are career wise. I recently interviewed with a national homecare agency for a managed care clinical coordinator position, but another nurse was hired over me with insurance experience. I looked at telephone triage positions but they are few and far between. I'm sure I'm not the only nurse out there facing the same problems. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Have you ever thought about assisted living nursing? I've been the DON of a 42-bed facility for two years now, and I love it.......I serve as more of a consultant than a "bedside" nurse, but I can choose how much direct care I do. And I still like to do some of it (wound care is a particular interest of mine); for other things I'll bring in home health and PT/OT/ST services. My work day is varied and never boring; I supervise a staff of 20 caregivers and function as an assistant administrator. I'm a nurse, friend, guru, and Mom to the staff and family members too!

I'm like you, an ADN with chronic conditions that are not compatible with bedside nursing. I'm also getting a bit long in the tooth to be running the floor for 12 hours a day pushing beds, transferring 400-pound patients, and never getting a potty break or a decent meal. In your place, I'd keep pursuing the BSN because it does broaden the range of opportunities; just be aware that it's not mandatory for all management positions.

[rndlh1996]

Thanks VivaLasViejas,

I had thought about it once when I had seen a position online. My only concern is what if something occured, a patient coded or needed the Heimlich manuever done on them and I couldn't physically accomodate? Or just, what if a patient was falling and I was there? I couldn't safely lower them to the floor. These things concern me, and I always feel as a nurse, I'm here to help my patients, and if I can't meet those expectations then I'm doing them harm. Also, I don't want to put myself in a position where I may make my condition worse. Thanks, I'll keep looking, though. I may find a assistant living position that won't require any kind of patient contact.

[bandaider]

You might consider school nursing - typically the patients will be coming to your ofice for assessment, first aid, medications, etc. There are at times specialized procedures such as G-tube feeding for kids with CP and the nurse orients & oversees the paras that will be caring for these students. Much patient education goes on, every day.

[steelcityrn, RN]

insurance jobs for nurses, health coaches.

[Mijourney]

As the previous poster wrote, consider insurance and health coaching. For insurance, most nurses start out in utilization review and then go from there. There are many opportunities to move around in a fairly good sized insurance company once you get your foot in the door. If you want to do telephone triage, start off checking with companies like http://www.intellicare.com and http://www.fonemed.com. These are positions that you can do at home. I hope you are fortunate to find what you need and want.

[ebear, BSN, RN]

Viva, "a bit long in the tooth"??? :rotfl::rotfl: That's so funny!!!!!