Found out I have a pretty significant back problem, how to keep nursing?

Maybe something outpatient? Outpatient surgery, dialysis, clinic/doctor's office, workers comp nurse, school nurse, outpatient oncology. Just a few thoughts.

Firstly, can the cyst be removed? If not does lifting present a likely hood of worsening your condition? Otherwise, it is possible that strength training, yoga, and supplementation can improve your back. In terms of options: administration, psych nursing, school nursing, case management, NP, public health nursing, dialysis and outpatient MD's all come to mind as options.

I sympathize with you.my knees need to be replaced,but im in limbo for an appropriate job.

Good luck.

NICU. Those babies are light my friend.

Some good suggestions here. Dialysis may not be one of them. In dialysis, one has to do a lot of bending/lifting/moving around. Nurses have to help the techs string and break down machines, bend over to do catheter care and insert needles. Also, a nurse has to help w/transfer assists, which can be a bit heavy......

It is by no means a great job for someone with significant back problems. The techs can't do it all. And light duty is difficult to maintain in that specialty.

OP, I am so sorry about your back/neck troubles. I hope you get them sorted out and are on your way to speedy recovery. I wish you the very best.

Just because nobody has mentioned it yet if you have enough nursing experience case management might be another option. Possibly a mid-management position in LTC. Also look at assisted living facilities, all the one's in our area the RN role is supervisory/management. As somebody else mentioned school nursing is a good option though depending on how the local school district structures pay it might be a significant pay cut for you. Correctional nursing would also work I would think.

There's actually quite a few options in nursing that are either totally away from the floor or that don't involve much lifting for the job. I wouldn't mention any physical limitations though until you are offered a job unless you are required to disclose it during the application process.

I do community health nursing and there’s definitely no lifting! Nor is there really bending or even standing for long periods. It’s an office job. It’s not for everyone, but I LOVE doing patient education. If you enjoy it too, look into community health.

On ‎6‎/‎20‎/‎2019 at 1:39 PM, myoglobin said:

Firstly, can the cyst be removed? If not does lifting present a likely hood of worsening your condition? Otherwise, it is possible that strength training, yoga, and supplementation can improve your back. In terms of options: administration, psych nursing, school nursing, case management, NP, public health nursing, dialysis and outpatient MD's all come to mind as options.

I don't recommend psych nursing. It can be very physically demanding in its own way and is frequently requiring more and more lifting, too.

^ this. Inpatient psych nursing is physically demanding.

Outpatient is the way to go.

NICU or case management, there are also jobs in quality, documentation, informatics. These can be higher paying jobs as well.

I never moved patients in an OB/GYN office setting.

You have great knowledge. You'll find something.

Would you be willing to do outpatient triage? Make sure you ask if you'll be required to push wheelchairs. We get plenty of 300# patients.