Disable and uses Supplemental Oxygen

Nurses Disabilities

Published

Im 54 y/r and just became a LPN 2 yrs ago. I got a GREAT job working long term as a med nurse. I managed to work 2 yrs and was diagnosed with Stage VI COPD. (I knew I had problems with breathing but I put it off to gaining weight) I use supplemental o2 24/7. But i still want to work!!...Any suggestions as to what kinda of nursing position I could look for??...my disability is not going to be enough to live on and i really want to work at least PRN.

Thanks

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

1. Perhaps learn how to do MDS (minimum data set) for nursing homes

2. Wellness director at an assisted living facility

3. Clinic nursing

4. Occupational health

5. Case management

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I too am on Oxygen 24/7 due to COPD. I am an RN with a BSN and have been struggling the last 5 years with my breathing issues. I tried many times to go back to work and all of them failed miserably because I ended up catching something from someone all the time. I just went back on Oxygen 24/7 just a few weeks ago, was only using it at night for a long time. My suggestion to you is to look into working in Utilization Review, Auditing, Telephonic Nursing, etc. If you start with these others will pop up. You can also put in Telecommuting Nurse or LPN and several opportunities should come up as well. More and more Nurses are doing this from home, this is known as "work from home". This is what I am getting ready to do as soon as I complete my certification in Medical Billing and Coding. I am getting this certification because in these types of positions I have mentioned I have to be familiar with billing and coding as I audit the computerized charting or workman's comp, whichever position I am going to take. I just have to have this certification. It might be worth looking into. I go to school online, I receive grants and student loans but it will help me get a better paying job. It only takes 10 months. I hope this helps.

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.
1. Perhaps learn how to do MDS (minimum data set) for nursing homes

2. Wellness director at an assisted living facility

3. Clinic nursing

4. Occupational health

5. Case management

I have to respectfully disagree. Clinic nursing is most certainly NOT an area for a nurse with this sort of disability unless all they do is telephonic triage. There seems to be this unfortunate stereotype that it is less demanding than other types of nursing. I suppose there are a few clinics out there that don't require much but where I work it is very fast-paced and demanding. On Thursday we moved 102 patients through a clinic with only 11 exam rooms. That is more than some ER's and many of our patients are as sick or sicker than those seen in emergency.

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Billing and coding is a speciality, you need a degree for it. Disability nursing for insurance companies(on the phone all day), they want experoence and certification. I just worked in a wound clinic. On a good day, you might have 4 patients, on a bad, you could get 10. I am having a hard time of this because I have MS and Crohn's Disease.

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