Back pain and starting a new shift

[NurseK15]

Hi everyone! I'm coming here asking for advice on an issue I'm having.. 9 days ago, I pulled a muscle in my lower back pretty bad while working out and it has been extremely painful since. The night it happened, I went to work and was barely able to move, but I continued to work my shifts throughout the week because I didn't want to get in trouble for calling out sick (my hospitals sick policy isn't the best). This week, I'm switching schedules to the day shift (finally!), however my back is still hurting me pretty bad.. it's better than it was when I originally hurt it, but I am still in a good amount of pain when making any movement that stretches my back and when I worked last week, I felt much worse after working my shifts. My doctor ordered me a muscle relaxer and told me she wasn't going to advise me either way on what to do about work, but said that it would obviously be best case scenario to rest (she knows of my hospitals policy on sick calls). I'm supposed to work 4 out of the next 5 days and I'm pretty worried about hurting it further, but also worried about making a bad impression on my NM at the start of my new day shift position. Any advice?

[Atl-Murse]

Go to work, flop on the floor like a fish outta water and call 911 for a trip to the ER. Am sure no one would question your need to take few days off after an ER trip . JK

[dianah, ASN]

How unfortunate you hurt your back recently.

It is hard to work with pain, and is worrisome if the pain persists or worsens with work/movement.

Good you are being followed by your doctor.

Unfortunately, no one on this forum may offer any medical advice.

And, you are the only one who can choose how you will move forward with this injury/pain.

As always, one must weigh risk VS benefit -- short-term and long-term.

I wish you healing and peace.

Thread closed.