Enduring the Pain (long-ish)

[EleRico]

The following is a personal concern I have been mulling over for about a year now. I can't sort it out without some good advice from professionals like you.

A couple of years ago, my budding Army career was cut painfully short when I suffered a back injury during training. MRI confirmed a bulging disc (T8/9) and a 10mm herniation at L5/S1 with significant impingement on the S1 nerve root. To boot, I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease - all at the age of 21. In the Army, a soldier who cannot carry a 100 lb. ruck sack is worthless (apparently), so I was discharged and sent on my (un)marry way.

I have finally coped with the fact that I will never have a career as a soldier, so, given my innate compassion, intellectual curiosity, and desire to help others in need, I am considering a career in nursing instead (feel free to laugh at the irony - I have done so many times). Unfortunately, the pain in my back has scarcely lessened since initial injury despite PT, pain management, and drug therapy. As a result, I experience constant pain when standing in one place for extended periods of time. Walking about is quite fine, and so is sitting, but I am frankly terrified of nursing school - not so much because of the academic rigor, but rather because of the prospect of my not being able to hack it during clinicals (pain-wise).

I am committed to making it through nursing school no matter how severe the pain, and I know that my desired career as an up-to-the-elbows-in-the-muck bedside nurse may have to be cast aside out of sheer medical necessity for the "comforts" of a desk job (is there even such a thing as a nurse in a desk?). The question is, how much in-place standing does a typical nurse do (obviously taking out of account the operating room setting)? I have this image of a nurse as a sort of honey bee floating (with a purpose, of course) from room to room, which is definitely something I could manage. A man/woman constantly on the move. Is this just a fantasy?

I realize that this may seem naïve, and some of you may be thinking, "A nurse who can't stand in one place for more than an hour or two is about as useful as a nurse with no hands." I just have a serious problem with allowing a disability to prevent me from pursuing an honorable, rewarding career in nursing. I want to help in any way I can. Thank you in advance for any advice/comments/wake-up calls you may have to offer.

[bossynurse101]

I think one of the best things about nursing is that ther are soooo many different roads one can take. The degree of physical strain varies. You can work in one place that has good aides and not have to do much lifting but alot of standing at carts, or not have aides and do a lot of lifting, repositioning, etc. You cd do Hospice and have the best of both (desk and hands on while going from place to place. You could do specialty units where there is a lot of extra help (burn unit, ICU, cath lab, dialysis, wound care, etc etc etc.) The amount of help is different from place to place. In any event you definitely sound like someone this profession needs - dont give up!:loveya:

[Riseupandnurse]

Don't recommend teaching with a bad back. Most teachers do clinicals and there is a LOT of prolonged standing as a student tries to figure out how to do something at the bedside. Actually harder on your feet and back than practice IMHO.

[*LadyJane*]

Don't forget the possibility of sales, either drug sales rep, or surgical equipment sales rep too. Lots of driving around, talking to doctors, re-stocking doctors drug cabinets, going out to lunches, out to dinners, out on cruises, etc etc. Those companies like to hire Rns, and their jobs sound pretty cushy.

[oslogirl]

Don't recommend teaching with a bad back. Most teachers do clinicals and there is a LOT of prolonged standing as a student tries to figure out how to do something at the bedside. Actually harder on your feet and back than practice IMHO.

Good point.

[PICNICRN, BSN, RN]

From PICNICRN "How do you feel about the NICU??"

I'm glad to hear that you have had a great experience in the NICU. It's actually the field that interests me the most (keeping in mind that I have absolutely no experience at all). I was really hoping that somebody would recommend it as a specialty that is potentially easier on the body than, say, med/surg. From the way you describe it, the physical effort certainly sounds reasonable, given my limitations.

"Sounds like you have a great attitude......... I'd be glad to have you as my coworker someday! Good Luck!"

Thank you for the suggestion and the encouragement!

That's great that you have an interest in NICU! I really recommend it--- the parents are the hard part-------but you don't have to pick them up!:wink2: But like I said, I do find it not too terrible on my body. And many NICUs have programs for new grads with great orientation programs!

Again, I wish you luck!!!

[al7139, ASN, RN]

EleRico,

Although never been in the military, from what I understand there are long priods of standing at attention and such that wouls aggravate a back injury.

In nursing, you are rarely standing or sitting still.

In my job on a heart unit, I am constantly on the move, and if I get a 5 minute break to eat I am lucky. Yes we do have to do manual things like lifting and bending, but you can find nursing jobs that will accomodate for your disability. If you want to work at the bedside, then it is important for you to find a well staffed hospital with good nursing aides to help with the heavy lifting. Most jobs will try to accomodate a disability (they have to based on the current discrimination laws). If you are a good nurse they will be more than willing to help you. You may find that at first coworkers have an attitude since to them it may seem like you are trying to get out of doing the heavy labor, but if you are up front with all you coworkers, generally you will find that they are more than willing to help you, especially if you make sure to show your appreciation for their help (I ALWAYS make it a point to thank my aides, etc, for their help on my shift), and be respectful in asking for help. You CAN be a nurse, don't let the nay-sayers discourage you!

Good Luck!

Amy

[morte, LPN, LVN]

i am between sue and the majority, the getting of a job would not so much be the issue..GETTING INTO AND THRU nursing school is.....i would aggressively pursue PT, chiro if this fits with you belief system.....the prob in the thorax concerns me, not an easy area to injure and tough to tx,surgery there is not something to be under taken lightly......pain in and of itself is not an indication for surgery, neuro loss is......has any one addressed with you the mechanics of standing and why this would cause you pain?........have you done the PT to improve the abd muscles,,,,or is it possible the pain is coming from the thoracic area???? good luck

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Where's your imagination, suesquatch?

Right at elerico getting throug clinical and then the first nursing job(s), which won't be as an NP or CRNA or public health nurse.

[EleRico]

to everything vito andolini posted in #10:

wow.... so, so many options i had never even considered. how refreshing to hear that i may actually have a future in nursing - if, of course, i can push my way through two to three years of nursing school. i had no idea that a nurse anesthetist functioned in that particular position in the or.

"have you thought of becoming a physical therapist? better hours, be your own boss, higher pay, access to treatment while you're at work in your very own pt clinic/practice."

i have thought about it, but currently i'm rather physically stuck in a location where nary a pt program can be found. the upside to this particular area is that a nurse relatively fresh out of an adn program can get paid $50/hour (night shift in the icu). money is certainly not a primary motivator for me, but in this particular part of california, nursing is a lucrative career. plenty of openings, too.

thank you so much for your suggstions. it's wonderful to be reminded just how diverse the nursing field is. it gives me hope.

[EleRico]

From LadyJane "Don't forget the possibility of sales, either drug sales rep, or surgical equipment sales rep too. Lots of driving around, talking to doctors, re-stocking doctors drug cabinets, going out to lunches, out to dinners, out on cruises, etc etc. Those companies like to hire Rns, and their jobs sound pretty cushy."

Also a good option. My sister-in-law is a sales rep for a leading pharmaceutical company. However, new regulations will soon eliminate the bulk of the cushiness associated with these positions. No more lunches, merchandise (I know I'll miss my constant supply of Zyprexa pens and scratch pads), or other freebies for doctors. I don't know if it's industry-wide or just this particular company. Still, even without those particular benefits, it is still a definite career possibility.

Thank you!

[EleRico]

From morte: "iam between sue and the majority, the getting of a job would not so much be the issue..GETTING INTO AND THRU nursing school is.....i would aggressively pursue PT, chiro if this fits with you belief system.....the prob in the thorax concerns me, not an easy area to injure and tough to tx,surgery there is not something to be under taken lightly......pain in and of itself is not an indication for surgery, neuro loss is......has any one addressed with you the mechanics of standing and why this would cause you pain?........have you done the PT to improve the abd muscles,,,,or is it possible the pain is coming from the thoracic area???? good luck"

I haven't tried a chiropractor yet. Perhaps I should dabble in that direction. I haven't been to PT in quite some time, so there is certainly room for improvement on my part. I exercise frequently (including a fairly typical low back routine) to try to strengthen my core, but clearly I could stand to do more there as well. I have one leg that is 3/4" shorter than the other, and my GP suggested that perhaps this may be throwing my alignment off, particulrly when I walk fast or run. Perhaps I should invest in a heel lift? Thoracic is not really as much of an issue (pain-wise) as the lumbar. I really only notice the thoracic pain when I slump over my keyboard at work (abominable for the back, I know).

Thank you for the suggestions!

[heron, ASN, RN]

Hi ... have you considered seeing a pain management specialist?

If your resources permit, it might help in exploring pain relief options that don't involve opioids.

AND get thee back to PT ... and perhaps orthotics?

Many of us work with chronic pain issues, some with more success than others. Hang in there, I say!