Bad Back nned help!!!!

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2009

You need to check with your doctor concerning any physical limitations that you may experience. You also don't need to give a medical history when applying for a job - it's illegal for them to ask, but every hospital I worked for had some degree of a physical exam, it just depends on the facility. It's not a question I would ask during an interview. Good luck.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 8, 2009

it is not illegal to prevent you from working in a situation you do not have the physical ability to perform the job, from my understanding. it is also not illegal for a hospital to put patient safety first and not hire you for a job where you would be a danger to the patients (again just my understanding). in fact, most applications i have filled out for a staff rn position requires that i be able to lift such and such amount of pounds. if i could not do so, i would have to state that fact on the application. if i lied about it, my applications also stated that it was grounds for termination. if you are truly concerned ask a lawyer or maybe an occupational health nurse that works for a hospital. he/she may be able to help.

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2009

You might have to find a job that is not so physical. Bedside nursing may not be for you. That doesn't mean you can't be a nurse. There are definitely nursing jobs out there that you can do,, the only problem I might see is that you may need experience for those jobs. Nursing homes may hire you, if you're an RN, this job requires less back breaking physical work, and lots more paperwork.

I am not sure how bad your back is,, only you know that,, and you know how much you can do before it hurts you. Maybe you can do 6 months as a bedside nurse to get a little experience in,, and then go on to case management or something? Just do not tell your employer about your back problems. Try to do your job the best you can, and get those few months of experience.

I wish the best for you! You've made it through nursing school, that says something in its self!!

litbitblack, ASN, RN · Apr 8, 2009

There is always admin, or even assisted living facilities that you really don't lift anyone. I did have an extensive physical before my job was officially offered. IT had lifting in it but not anything unusual.good luck

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2009

The big question is how flexible are you? What are your limitations and will they prevent you from being a floor RN

*Skye* · Apr 8, 2009

I think I was misunderstood...I am capable of lifting pt's and all the requirements needed to be a nurse. I would not have been acdcepted into nursing school nor would I have been able to go through it. This is excatly what I mean.... When you till a person that you had back operation or any other physical illness one automatically writes you off or puts limit to what you can or can not do.

Based on the fact that I had a back operation can the hospital leagly not hire me? Am I legally accountable to tell them of my health conditions. I am perfectly fine to do all the nursing roles. Heck- I ski, play sports, travel to 3rd world coutntries as a humantiatrian.

Thanks for posting.

*Skye* · Apr 8, 2009

Sorry for the mispelled words-in a hurry....

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 9, 2009

i think i was misunderstood...i am capable of lifting pt's and all the requirements needed to be a nurse. i would not have been acdcepted into nursing school nor would i have been able to go through it. this is excatly what i mean.... when you till a person that you had back operation or any other physical illness one automatically writes you off or puts limit to what you can or can not do.
based on the fact that i had a back operation can the hospital leagly not hire me? am i legally accountable to tell them of my health conditions. i am perfectly fine to do all the nursing roles. heck- i ski, play sports, travel to 3rd world coutntries as a humantiatrian.
thanks for posting.

ok, then your second post brings us back to square one... do you have to tell them about your back surgeries if it does not affect if you can perform a job on the floors? this goes back to my original post... you will need to talk to the occupational health nurse to find out the requirements to work the floors. maybe there a health form/survey you need it fill out for employment similar to my facility ... does this mean that you may not get the job you applied for....???? i'm not sure, especially if you meet the physical requirements for the job. your situation is unique and up to the people that may hire you in the future. i do not think that this is a situation that can be answered on here... gl!

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2009

No,, if it does NOT effect your physical health anymore,, you DO NOT have to tell them. That would be like having to tell them you had the flu last year. Or that you have genital warts. (LOL just kidding but really, would you tell them that if you did have genital warts?)

. No.. this is private health information. As long as it is not affecting your work..

rn5878 · Apr 26, 2012

I had a back surgery 9 years ago and had harrington rods placed in. I will be going thru surgery this year to remove them. I'm also due to graduate from nursing school this year (RN). I have been very anxious and losing sleep on how this will afffect my job outlook after I have the surgery. Since bad backs is why so many nurses leave this career (as I heard). Does anybody know if this will affect my chances of getting hired? Do hospitals do physicals that need to be passed? Is it legal not to hire somebody do to a health concern? Any advice or info would be very helpful.

Hi, I know this is a really old post, but I guarantee people are still reading it. All I can tell you, I'd had a lumbar laminectomy prior to becoming a nurse and I was fine. I was hired for a job, packed up and moved to Charleston, SC. It was a med/surg position. Once I got there I was pulled out of orientation and told that after reviewing my occupational health screening, I did not meet the physical requirements of the job due to my previous back surgery. I presented them with a letter from my neurosurgeon stating that I could perform the job without restrictions, and the hospital would not accept the letter. Finally after seeing a lawyer, the hospital agreed to put me through a 3 hour functional capacity exam by a PT to prove that I could perform all the functions of the job. For example, I had to pick up 50 pounds, walk a certain distance, turn around, walk back, and place the item back on the floor. After a month of fighting, I got my job. I did med/surg for a couple of years and then went to ICU and have been an ICU nurse ever since. After that experience I decided that since I'd been cleared by a functional capacity exam, there was no point in mentioning the back surgery to anyplace else I worked just to be put through the same nonsense.

allnurses Guide · Apr 26, 2012

Every nursing application I filled out required me to read a job description and answer whether I can perform those duties, including lifting and long hours on one's feet. If you can do those things (or say you can), you'll be hirable. If you suffer further back issues after being hired, it will probably be discovered that you have a history and probably not be covered by work comp.