Nurses in Transition: Where to go next after injury and/or disability?

[mattsmom81]

What a trip...you're hurt or injured....as an injured nurse you are suddently 'worthless' to your employer...some injured employees are treated so badly...(I wasn't but observe others who are)..we feel like our options are so limited...we feel like failures because we can't 'fix' it......after so many years of experience we are suddenly stopped in our tracks....with out income....with pain and fear.

It's really an emotional roller coaster for sure. And we're left to pick up the pieces and move on with our lives.......:imbar

This is personal stuff but I feel like sharing...anybody else out there who wants to cuss and discuss this issue feel free here or PM me....:)

I'm bored at home waiting for a neck fusion surgery (injured due to MVA). I'm a critical care junkie type to boot...so I do enjoy gettin' into the critical care topics to kill time and stimulate a few brain cells.....LOL!

Not sure how capable I will be to do any bedside critical care again after the surgery but I am hopin' for the best.....would love to go back...but know I will be a comp risk and hospitals may not want me.

Anybody else in similar straits? What have you done that helps? Any words of wisdom or stories to share re 'moving onward' or starting over again after disabling injury?

Again PM's are great if too hard to post...I know this can be a hard topic..lots of anger and depression.:stone

Luv ya'll! :kiss

[oramar]

Interesting thread I intend to follow it. Don't have anything to add but will think about it maybe later.

[live4today, RN]

thank you, huganurse, for your wonderful and encouraging comments! i'd hug you if i could. well, how's this for a cyber-hug... (((hugs))) and :kiss

your comments have given me added thoughts about ways i can work in nursing. i miss being a pedi nurse, but i was also a surgical nurse, a med/surg/neuro/ortho/cardiac-stepdown/gyn-surgical/newborn nursery/sicu/float-where ever needed/prn/traveling/local agency/homehealth nurse! whew!!! i've worked in all of those areas and then some as a nurse, and pedi nursing was my favorite with surgery nursing running a close tie, and cardiac stepdown running a close second.

i've got waaaaayyyyyy too much experience not to make use of it in some way or another. i haven't given up yet! i will be returning for a nurse refresher course as soon as the military places the next set of golden orders in our hands. my allergies are so bad here in texas that i could easily sneeze us out of texas...:chuckle

thanks for the hope, you guys and gals! see deb, we aren't down until the fat lady sings, and i don't (((hear))) anybody singing yet, do you? (((hugs))) and :kiss everyone!

be back later today! one thing my right shoulder injury hasn't prevented me from doing is grocery shopping! darn it! :chuckle have a beautiful saturday everyone! :)

[4XNURSE]

Originally posted by mattsmom81

WOW! ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE!:)

You guys have blown me away with your posts...I'm going to reread them now and keep 'em to boost my spirits on a bad day!

.....I would enjoy teaching, Ken, (thank you for your kind words) lack of the BSN thing holds me back...but maybe I can teach CNA's or??? with my RN diploma...you're right! Thanks!.....

Deb (Mattsmom)

CNAs, LPNs, or? Then theres BLS, (for healthcare providers and for the public at large. - huge market!) ACLS, PALS, NRP, 12 leads, ..... It's amazing how much there is to share. I know you have a lot of knowledge and skills that many need. Everyone of us needs certifications, and recerts, every 2 years.

You've got it! Flaunt it! Market it! There are churches, schools, clinics, social services,....all of these need a little of the vast knowledge that you take for granted. - SHARE IT! For a price or as a volunteer. Since most of us need an income to eat, I asume you would need to turn it into a job or a business, but you do have the right stuff. It's now a matter of finding the right avenue for you, to dispense it.

Good luck!

You can get there from here!

ken