injured and dissolutioned

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in LDRP, Pre-op, Circulating, Recovery Room.

Hey, I'm new to the forum. I have only been a RN for 5+ years, in the medical field for about 8. Loved my job as a labor and delivery nurse, until I herniated a disk lifting a patient. 4 months into my "light duty" I came to the realization that my dream job would no longer be for me and I left the hospital I thought I would be retiring from some day. I quickly found a job at an outpt surgery center, and after 3 months things were not working out well at all. I was used to nurturing and spending time with my patients. Not herding cattle. Anyway, I am now at an office, which is a huge transition. I am trying to be patient and grateful for having a job, but sometimes I feel like if I can't do what I went to college to do (L &D) then maybe I should do something else. Any thoughts? Anyone able to relate?:idea:

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. Unfortunately too many nurses are in your shoes with back injuries.

Best wishes to you.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

What about working with pregnant patients in a different setting:

1. Pregnancy clinic.

2. OB/GYN office

3. Newborn nursery.

4. NICU.

5. If you have your BSN - what about an educator position in L&D.

6. Go back to school for your NP or CNM.

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As an L&D nurse that is soooo in love with my job, you have my thoughts and best wishes. Have you considered doing prenatal classes, working in an OB office, nursery nurse or NICU nurse?

Many hospitals are going to no lift/low lift policies - which I still have trouble wrapping my head around in the L&D setting, but would it work for you to do just post-partum.

Also, have you considered public health nursing - working wiht newborns and their families?

I wish you the best of luck and hope there is someway you can bet back to what you love.

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Specializes in Government.

Have you explored all your rights under Worker's Comp? It varies from state to state but where I live, you'd be retrained or headhunted to a job you found acceptable within your permanent restrictions. You'd also get a significant amount of cash.

Often nurses are given the bums rush on Comp because the insurer figures there are a lot of jobs so they don't help much. However, your livelyhood took a huge hit as did your options. Make sure you've gotten everything you are entitled to.

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Specializes in med/surg.

I heard that manual handling was not as "advanced" in the USA as in the UK. From the country that is known for being litigation heavy I was surprised. We hardly ever lift patients here. We have all sorts of aids to assist us when we do from sliding sheets to electronic hoists. I heard iot would be a shock to my system when I come over!

Funny enough it was the high number of nurses claiming compensation from the NHS for work related back injuries that spurred them on to improve matters. So maybe you & all the other nurses who have been injured at work should start making a fuss because it sure worked here!

I've been a nurse for 10 years & have managed to keep my back intact to date. That is not because I work in a cushy area either, I'm a med/surg floor nurse. I do hope I won't end up hurting my back in the USA after all the hard work trying to get over!!

I'm so sorry to hear that you were hurt so arly in your career & I do hope that you can find a placement that enables you to be happy. xxxx

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

WOW my heart goes out to you. This is every nurse's worst nightmare. I hope you find a position suitable to your compassion and desire to care for others. I am so sorry this happened to you.

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Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

I have heard so many of these stories with nurses and CNA's it isn't funny! I have also seen friends in the fire and EMS system suffer the same!

What a great fire fighter once told me was this story...broke my heart, but he did go onto a wonderful job! He was at the scene of a house fire, and there was a child upstairs. He went upstairs with a crew to find the child. Now, fires aren't all light and you can see like in the movies...it is pitch black from smoke...and you have to feel your way around! They found the child after quite some time...sadly he was dead. The firefighter carried the body down the stairs and the stairs collapsed as well as part of the roof. He was perminatly injured...his dreams of fire fighting shot carrying a dead child out of a building...talk about a horrific nightmare!

He recovered, and chose a career in fire prevention..which yes, was considered by most to be the elephant graveyard of fire fighters. NOW he is the Chief of it in a major city, teaches classes on fire fighting and prevention, and it one of the most respected fire chiefs in the NW! He didn't let it bring him down...not even when he felt that the change in position was the end of his career! It was only a new begining and he didn't know it yet!

Keep the faith, and there are options out there like others have posted, or even lactation clinics which are in need of a great member to the team!

Good luck to you...this may just be that new chapter that can always bring wonderful results!

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How about lactation consultant? This would allow you to continue with the nurturing aspect of nursing that you love and be involved with both mom and baby! A little bit of extra training and your experience in L & D should make you a perfect candidate.

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