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

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Nursing is my second career, first career office management..took 7 years of part time/after work schooling to obtain my nursing degree and after one year of nursing (IMCU/ICU) have found I have a cyst on my spine not allowing me to move/lift patients.

Now what? Talking to my current hospital about a House Supervisor position but *sigh*.. any other thoughts? Home hospice nursing require a lot of lifting? OR/Surgical friend of mine said there is lifting but lots of hands involved unlike our stepdown/icu unit...

I'm open to ideas to research.

Thank you.

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

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Outpatient is a good idea. Advancing your degree and becoming an educator would be a good idea. Case Management. Telephonic nursing. Medical or pharmaceutical sales.

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Specializes in ICU, trauma, neuro.

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.

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Specializes in PCCN.

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

Good luck.

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NICU. Those babies are light my friend.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

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.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

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.

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Specializes in Community health.

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.

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Specializes in Primary Care, Military.
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.

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

^ this. Inpatient psych nursing is physically demanding.

Outpatient is the way to go.

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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.

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