back injury ...career change?...HELP

[R.M. RN]

I am a 29 year old RN who has suffered a severe herniated disc (been struggling with this since summer 2000). I have returned to my job as a nursing supervisor in a rural hospital(where we do everything!!!)for two months in a six month period. The disc is not healing and I am going to see a neurosurgeon but the waiting list is long. I have heard many conflicting opinions in regards to returning to bedside nursing. My physician says that i should move into a different area of nursing...one where there is less lifting, transferring etc. I have had a lot of pressure from my family to make a change as well. I really want to heal and return to my job. does anybody out there have a similar story or advice to share with me???

[Mijourney]

Hi R.M. RN. I'm sorry that you're experiencing serious health problems so early in your career. I agree with your doctor. You should find something else to do besides bedside nursing, even if that means giving up your current income for a while. In fact, I would not go back to direct care nursing at all. I'm sure you know that you can suffer irreversible problems from a back disorder. As much as you may love your job, love nursing, and worked hard for both, I don't think it should be worth your health which you can never get back once it's gone. There are other ways to apply the skills and knowledge that you have gained. On this bb, there are nurses who are into such areas like insurance and hospital case management and telephone triage. You are pretty much guaranteed to never have to lift or move another patient even though you will still be required to talk with them or their family in these roles. Best wishes.

[BlueBear]

Why don't you try NICU, or peds. Sure you have to lift but it is a whole lot easier on your back!

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[Blackcat99]

:) Correctional nursing is your best option. I was never asked to help lift an inmate. It is very rare that you ever have to do any lifting in corrections. The very few times an inmate needed assistance the correctional officer always insisted on doing it.

[Destinystar]

you can go into teaching, mds, don, md office. you do not have to give up your career.:)

i am a 29 year old rn who has suffered a severe herniated disc (been struggling with this since summer 2000). i have returned to my job as a nursing supervisor in a rural hospital(where we do everything!!!)for two months in a six month period. the disc is not healing and i am going to see a neurosurgeon but the waiting list is long. i have heard many conflicting opinions in regards to returning to bedside nursing. my physician says that i should move into a different area of nursing...one where there is less lifting, transferring etc. i have had a lot of pressure from my family to make a change as well. i really want to heal and return to my job. does anybody out there have a similar story or advice to share with me???