Does this make me a liability?

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Jan 25, 2016

Do you think that having chronic pain and fatigue make a nurse a liability to nursing? Even if they don't take heavy Meds narcotic pain medication? I am asking because of a comment by someone when they found out I have two rheumatic diseases and often am in pain and tired.. But I push through.

It's not other people that decide that. Only you can decide if you are. I also have chronic pain and fatigue and some days in the ICU I could barely manage to get through the shift. I did of course. I moved a little slower and didn't think as quickly but I remained able and safe. If you get to a point where you believe that you cannot manage then that's your answer. It doesn't matter what other people think.

%D#2 · Jan 25, 2016

Thanks for your input. I do not feel I am a liability in fact I find that I am in the least amount of pain at work because I am so focused. I do take a lot of aspirin and caffeine and I take fiorinal when I go home. But the pain is bad in the morning, which is why I don't work days.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 25, 2016

Now that someone knows that you have a chronic pain problem...you need to be extra cautious that they don't have a target on your back...take it from someone who had divulged and it by me in my behind-make me stronger professionally and led me to my current position, but frustrating nonetheless.

%D#2 · Jan 25, 2016

Now that someone knows that you have a chronic pain problem...you need to be extra cautious that they don't have a target on your back...take it from someone who had divulged and it by me in my behind-make me stronger professionally and led me to my current position, but frustrating nonetheless.

Well it was someone I don't work with but she is an RN. She said she wouldn't want me to take care of her patients as I am a liability and I literally cried when I got home, I barely knew her she's a friend of a friend. But I guess some people are just mean like that. I have to stop caring what people think I'm too sensitive lol

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jan 26, 2016

Well it was someone I don't work with but she is an RN. She said she wouldn't want me to take care of her patients as I am a liability and I literally cried when I got home, I barely knew her she's a friend of a friend. But I guess some people are just mean like that. I have to stop caring what people think I'm too sensitive lol

Nursing is a small world. Be careful who you disclose to except those that are bound by HIPAA

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2016

I agree to be careful about revealing private info on your health to others.

But you are very young to have such a debilitating condition. As you get older, you may not be able to "push through." I would start thinking now about how you could transition into other roles in nursing which won't take so much out of you physically. I'd work on advancing my education so that you have many options which don't involve heavy bedside care.

I'm sorry you are dealing with this. At your age, you should feel healthy, vital, and energetic. And be careful with the aspirin! I work in an endo facility, and we see bad ulcers every day in people who use a lot of NSAIDs.

Take care!

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jan 26, 2016

It's only a liability if your issue is known.

How did "someone" find out you have 2 rheumatic diseases? Your health information is private... for many reasons.

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 26, 2016

I agree with Horseshoe. While you may be able to cope with your health problems now and be able to work ... it is unlike you will be able to do so for a period of many years. Prepare now for a career path that will be more feasible given your physical condition. Don't wait until you can no longer fulfill your job responsibilities 100% to start thinking about what to do next. Waiting will only get you into a more painful, ugly, and messy situation.

%D#2 · Jan 26, 2016

It's only a liability if your issue is known.
How did "someone" find out you have 2 rheumatic diseases? Your health information is private... for many reasons.

I was out to dinner with close friends who know about it and a friend of theirs was there.. She's also a nurse and when one of my friends asked if a module on my finger was from the RA or Lupus that's when she started asking why I became a nurse with these conditions etc.

I don't work with her.. It kinda just came into conversation

%D#2 · Jan 26, 2016

I agree with Horseshoe. While you may be able to cope with your health problems now and be able to work ... it is unlike you will be able to do so for a period of many years. Prepare now for a career path that will be more feasible given your physical condition. Don't wait until you can no longer fulfill your job responsibilities 100% to start thinking about what to do next. Waiting will only get you into a more painful, ugly, and messy situation.

I am going to go back for Rn and BSN when my loans are paid off.. My mom is an ADN and has the same illnesses and worked in a hospital for a while, then home care, now she works from home for an insurance company. Gonna probably follow her footsteps

NurseEmmy · Jan 26, 2016

I wouldn't consider you to be a liability, but now you know that others may see you as such. That person has some balls to say that, but some people have no filter.