Bad back... Time for a desk job

[Staragate, ADN, ASN, RN]

So, I'm an acute HD nurse. I work crazy shifts where 16-18 hour days are common. I have been doing this for 3 years, but I can't keep this up. I had C4/5 spinal fusion and the radiculopathy is already coming back post op. It's worse when I'm fatigued. I don't want to work in the clinic again. I have been a nurse for 5 years now. I've never worked FOR a hospital, but I work IN a hospital as a contractor.

So for health reasons, I need a career change. I've always enjoyed education. I'm working on an (ADN)RN-MSN in Clinical Leadership. Tracks I'm looking into are transplant coordinator, doctor's office nurse, case manager. I would love to be a nurse educator, but I don't have that degree yet. I'm wondering about the dramatic change in specialties and if I will even get hired? What do I say about why I want the change, when I don't want to highlight my medical problems?

Also, I will lose any FMLA benefits if my condition worsens again with a new job. I will have to start out with a new out-of-pocket total with insurance. So many what-ifs.

I would love any advice or assurances.

[poopylala, BSN, RN]

I have no words other than I am in the same boat as you, just newer in the journey. Bad back due to psoriatic spondylitis and lupus, looking for next step to leave bedside in a year or two.

As for why the change, you could say you're looking to explore new areas within nursing and the steady hours are definitely a bonus.