back injury?? what to do

[mhinds12]

I'm just looking for some advice... I sprained my sacroiliac joint about 3 weeks ago - I don't know if I did this by lifting a patint or if I did it on my run shortly after work that day. All I know is it started getting sore when I ran and was absolutely excruciating by the time I woke up.

Fastforward 3 weeks later, I'm still having trouble walking. I work in a busy ICU and coming to work means holding back tears for 12 hours straight. It's so painful. Despite physical therapy, I don't feel like I've gotten better because being at work means taking 2 steps back (big steps at that).

I'm nervous to go through with short term disability, I feel bad for leaving my unit short staffed. Also just feel like since I can walk, they may think this is a silly reason to take leave.

I only have one back. I'm only 27 years old --- I'm just sick of it. If this were you, would you go through with trying to take time off to heal? I really like my job and don't want to risk losing it.

Thanks for any input...

[bellcollector]

I have a severe back right side injury that has resulted in multiple surgeries and nearly 10yrs out of work. Multiple MD's wanted me on total permanent disability. I could not accept this as my brain still works and a lot of the reason I went to college for nursing was so I wouldn't end up an empty nester stuck at home. It was a long hard road back and it took nearly 5months with 10 apps per week to finally land a private duty gig through a non profit agency. Fortunately for me they did not ask if I had any injuries only if I had any restriction s I felt would hinder my abilities to do the job and since they have a strict no lifting policy I don't feel I am hindered in doing my job. My advice and it is only my opinion is avoid workers comp if at all possible. Instead see if you can take a personal leave to allow yourself time to heal. If you must go for wc do your self a favor and get a good attorney as it gets complicated. Best of luck and guard your back with your life it could mean your career.

[kalevra, BSN, RN]

Workman's Comp

Go to work, turn a pt per policy (use all the proper equipment/techniques/help). Then during your turn with you help, make sure they see you cry out in pain OUCH MY BACK!. Followed by you grimacing, unable to hold the sheet to complete the turn, etc. Document everything properly and name of the witness.

Back injuries are to be taken seriously! This is your health, this is your livelihood! DO NOT be a hero by gritting your teeth and ignoring the issue. Back injuries can end your career and turn your quality of life into crap in a snap.

I would not put up with it. I would go for the first desk job in a suit. Case Management, try to find a case management job ASAP!

[amoLucia]

Think about it - if this post was from another nurse with your problem, wouldn't you advise her to take care of herself first (and let the job take care of itself)? Your job existed and got along without you before you got there and it will continue to do so after you're gone.

Your coworkers most likely would do whatever it takes to get better, so why not you, too?

Take the time off and heal. Don't risk yourself. And by the way, you have payroll deductions for disability, so you're entitled to it.

TAKE IT.

[mhinds12]

Thanks for the comments -- you're exactly right. I'll talk to my manager tomorrow.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Workman's Comp

Go to work, turn a pt per policy (use all the proper equipment/techniques/help). Then during your turn with you help, make sure they see you cry out in pain OUCH MY BACK!. Followed by you grimacing, unable to hold the sheet to complete the turn, etc. Document everything properly and name of the witness.

Back injuries are to be taken seriously! This is your health, this is your livelihood! DO NOT be a hero by gritting your teeth and ignoring the issue. Back injuries can end your career and turn your quality of life into crap in a snap.

I would not put up with it. I would go for the first desk job in a suit. Case Management, try to find a case management job ASAP!

Back injuries are to be taken seriously and can end your career, but lying about it isn't the way to go. If anyone -- ANYONE -- has seen you blinking back tears of pain in the past few weeks, if you've shared anything with a co-worker about your sore back, if anyone recognizes your story from here, it's already too late to pretend to be injured at work. Besides the serious legal consequences, you would lose the respect of everyone who knows you -- or hears about you -- if you go this route. It isn't worth it.

I, too injured my back at work. I was too stupid to realize that the "pop" I felt in my back when I lifted was the back injury until two weeks later when the MRI revealed a seriously herniated disc. A co-worker went out on Workman's Comp the same week I had my injury. We both had a six month recovery, only workman's comp dictated which doctors she used and which procedures she had. They found her a "light duty" job doing handwashing audits. I had six months off to recover, chose my own doctors and made up my own mind which procedures I wanted. When we compared notes later, she and I agreed -- I had a far easier time of it. Our health insurance is good, and we had disability coverage.

[RainMom]

Just FYI re: workers' comp, check your state's laws. Employers want injuries reported immediately (which is ideal for your own sake), & often try to deny claims if not promptly reported. However, in my state, you have 45 days to report & that simply can be a verbal communication to a superior.

Handling WC claim billing in the past, I found that many bosses don't really know this & would tell employees it was to late to claim an injury if it wasn't reported the same day. However, I would not suggest filing a claim if you're not sure how you hurt yourself.