Experienced nurse whose survived early hip replacements and MVA with brain injury

[Keesha RN]

I’m an experienced nurse. As a child had hip dislocation (age 10), developed avascular necrosis and had hip replacement surgery right before turning 21 years old. I became RN right before 25 years old. Now 17 years in my career I’ve already had 2 hip revision surgery unfortunately at 41 years old. Last year the second hip revision was after a traumatic motor vehicle accident. I still get around good. But have been told that I should look into non-bedside nursing?? I started in hospital nursing, and then relocated states which meant I left my position and had trouble finding a hospital position that fit me since. So the past 4-5 years have found a better routine in and been doing long term care/skilled nursing. My concern is I’m still so young with years left to work I don’t want to get into trouble where I’m hurting myself trying to take care of others… Suggestions?

[kythe, LPN]

I worked in long-term care for over 10 years before getting a job in a family practice office.  It turned out to be a very good move.

I used to be athletic when I was younger, and felt natural at a job which required physical activity.  Over the years I slowed down, began to fatigue easily, and started walking with a distinct limp.  A few months ago I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my left hip which will lead to a hip replacement.

I can no longer stand for long periods of time and have significantly less core body strength, but this does not affect my current job.  I work in an office where my primary duties are "desk" work, like returning calls to patients, discussing results, medication refills, and referrals and prior auths. 

It isn't completely inactive. Nurses assist with some office procedures and sometimes triage walk-ins or emergencies.  When Medical Assistants are busy or if there is a call off, I room patients.  But a doctor's office job is physically less stressful than floor nursing, and the hours are better too.

[emtpbill, ASN, RN, EMT-P]

 I know this is an older post but I am scheduled to have a Hip replacement in 4 days.  I am 51 years old, was a medic for 25 years before going back to school and getting my RN license. Had a left hip replacement in 2021, 7 months later took the NCLEX-RN and passed. The hip replacement was necessary due to Avascular necrosis.   Fast forward to the end of 2022 and beginning of 2023 and the hip pain came back with a vengeance but this time in my right hip.  Yep , that dastardly Avascular necrosis again.  This time visited the right hip all this and I started an ER job at the end of November 2022.  Fortunately I have a great boss and supportive management. They stated that since I am passed my 90 days they will hold my position (I do the weekend program) but good lord, the pain in the right hip has been a devil to deal with.  I have actually had to alter the was I walk slightly (turn my right leg inward ever so slightly) to reduce the amount of pain. I still walk with somewhat of a limp but I was able to just deal with Advil. 

   So now I am working 12 hours today, 8 hours tomorrow then I am off.  Hopefully the next time I walk into the ER to work I will be hop, skipping, and jumping (without pain).