Back Injury - Advice for Nursing School

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Hi!

I am beginning my sophomore year of Nursing school in just a few days, and will begin clinicals this fall as well. I am both terrified and excited at the same time. I will have 7 hour shifts, on a Med Surg floor.

However, I am nervous about my back. I sustained a structural injury to my back when I was 17 - I am now 19. My pain isn't always awful, the worst when I stand for periods of time, or bend in awkward positions (perfect, huh?). I know what most of you are thinking: "quit while you're ahead", or rather behind. I understand that I am putting myself in a very vulnerable situation, and this many not be the best decision for my back. However, I can't imagine doing anything else - Nursing has always been the dream of mine, everything I have strived for (sorry if that sounded cheesy, but it's true).

Anyways, I was hoping that I could get some advice from seasoned Nurses. What can I do to protect my back from further injury? Anything that you have found to relieve some of your symptoms?

Thanks in advance, I appreciate the responses!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Back injuries are plentiful, as are the reasons/strains behind each injury. What works to proactively prevent strain for most are the basic prevention measures that you are no doubt familiar with.

Nursing may have always been your dream. But if you were to ask any "seasoned" nurse (your description) he/she would most likely tell you to run for your life away from nursing. Incurring back issues at your tender age should be a warning. You would be foolish to ignore that warning. Surely you can find another, less-prone-to-injury field in which to work.

Just a seasoned nurse's advice.

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Only your doctor can evaluate your back injury .. and how it may relate to a nursing career.

Personally, I would not pursue a nursing career with a known back injury. Dream or no dream. You will be using your back in ways you can not imagine. 38 percent of nurses DEVELOP a back injury.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Forensics, Addictions.

I had a severe back injury at age 22 while a CNA. I went on to nursing school and now have a full time job in psych. I rarely lift, but do have to restrain quite often. You learn to manage and try to be as careful as possible. I'm 35 now.

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Thank you all for your responses, I appreciate them. I understand what I am doing is extremely risky.

@SarahMaria - It was nice to read a positive response, although I understand why some are trying to steer me in the opposite direction. Your response has given me a glimmer of hope. Did you find Nursing school was hard on your back? I know once I'm done schooling, I can find a job that requires little lifting, but I'm scared I'm not going to make it through clinicals in school.

Thanks again, everyone!

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Forensics, Addictions.

Yes, clinical a were difficult, especially the med-surg ones with all the lifting and repositioning and transferring. You're not super nurse, ask for help, if needed. You don't have to say that you have a back injury, just that you need help. I'm sure you have valuable assets to nursing, you just can't lift so much.

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