Going back

[Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN]

I became disabled in 2005 and had to go on disability. I hated it I worked in critical care for 38 yrs and I had been told I excelled in arrythmias, that I was the go to girl.

I wasn't a happy camper about not working. My mobilty was affected. My right leg was much shorter than my left so I had a severe limp (botched hip replacement had to have 2 within a week on same leg) and plus I have severe psorriatic rhematoid arthritis that has twisted up my joints also.

Think about it I went from critical thinking mode to dead stop and watching Dr. Phil. I would have dreams that I had gone down for dinner and when it was time to go back I couldn't find my way back or people would stop to talk and not let me go back to the unit. Or I would come to work and I wasn't working there any more so I would work anyway and hope the manager wouldn't catch me. I would wake up in a panic because I couldn't get back to my patients. And I couldn't get my night clock turned back to days either so I slept all day and sat by myself at night.

I decided to find something to do after sitting on the couch for five yrs. I also let my license lapse since I knew I would never be able to do hands on care. Just living on my disability. I would still check who was hiring and what kind of jobs were out there, stuff like that.

One day at my old hospital they had an ad for a monitor tech but it was full time days. I called and asked about it and put in a application for it and the recruiter (a friend, no less) told me no. More depression.

Fast forward a couple of months ago I saw another monitor tech job at a different hospital. So I tried again, had a good interview and they were even nice enough to call me and say they went with a more experienced person.(Hello 38 years here). She asked if she could keep my number I told her sure. I really just kinda figure I was too old, too fat, and much too crippled up. I walk with a cane.

They called me a couple of weeks ago and offered me a job as a monitor tech nights, occ part time 3 days a week. How could this be anymore perfect? I start Friday night. and I get to keep my disability for right now.

Now this is how crazy I am. I just knew all the nurses were looking down at me because I didn't have my license any more. and thinking Oh I bet she lost it in some sort of deadly action on my part. OMG what is wrong with me? I got a godgiven job and I am embarassed?

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Slap, slap, slap!

Snap out of it! You will find that your knowledge will be highly appreciated. Remember that you don't need to even deal with the nurse crap. Why would you want to? you are free, you are free!!! (LOL).

I think you will find that most nurses don't know anything about rhythms even though they think they do, these days there is no time to know what you know. See who wants to learn, and be a mentor. If nobody wants you to opine, then that's fine too. If somebody asks what your story is, keep it short and sweet. I think from what you have said, it should be obvious, why you aren't running around.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

You rock! :yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah:

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I don't know why we feel it necessary to explain ourselves to people but I see myself in your comments. We had an ICU nurse who is now in a wheelchair after an auto accident and is working as monitor tech on the same unit. He is really an asset. Of course, we all knew the situation. I would just go in with the great attitude that says "Wow! It is good to be here!". Congrats on your new position.

[Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN]

I know this is truly a God deal. I mean My hubby said it all. " Okay let me point it out to you. You are in a room with a couple of other people and you only work 3 days a week. It is a closed department. You will work nights, which you love any way. No bosses around. No patients. No visitors and you are making just a little less than you did when you stopped working. And you are worried about some nurses that you will never ever see again?" Kinda hard to argue when he put it like that.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

Congrats!! I think all of us know at least one nurse that's been knocked down by a disability, so I doubt you need to worry about them thinking bad of you. I wish more of our "wounded in action" nurses could find jobs that still work for them!

[leslie :-D]

i'm with crunchrn - you totally rock, dalzac.:balloons::balloons:

i'm very, VERY happy for you.

leslie

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

I hate to be the one to say this but...

Stop feeling sorry for yourself! You have done the 'poor me, woe is me' thing sitting on the couch for 5 years (I've felt sorry for myself too).

Now is the time to put the past in the past, and get on with the future. You have a great job to look forward to! Now I don't care what other people think and neither should you. I never understand why people get so riled about what other people think. Life is a lot to do with mindset: go into that job, and just be cheerful and say hello etc. If people ask you questions, answer honestly or say something like ur a private person & don't discuss stuff like that @ work, or you will talk to them later in private. Also just think: no more stressful nursing shifts! No more horrid, unmanageable pt loads! No more NMs breathing down ur neck all the time.

Try to think of the positives and not the negatives. I've done jobs where I wasn't nursing (people knew I was a RN) and it didn't bother me in the slightest.

Just be you and be happy - some days it's hard, but you can do it. I feel happy for you!

Good luck & let us know how u get on.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

^ Next time I need a pep talk, I'm going to carol! ^

[Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN]

Well I have been at my new job for 2 months now I still love it The people for the most part are glad to have me there is one that has an issue with the fact I used to be a nurse. Not sure why. I just feel useful now. My friends have told me it has made a huge difference in me. So has the family. Man some things have really changed. The acuity of the patients on the floor is unreal I can only imagine how high it is in the units. Some of the monitor techs watch bp's, cvp lines, and artlines for patients on the floor

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Having a purpose is just awesome. I think too much time on your hands is really hard on a productive type person. Thanks for the update and I applaud you!

[Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN]

I wrote that letter a year and a half ago. All the insecurities are gone like the wind! I still love this job! The nurses on the floor I normally watch know me. They know I was a unit nurse and have told me they just don't worry about their patients any more. I just feel "Part of now." I would recommend to all nurses who don't want to retire but feel they have to do this. Even be a unit clerk. Work in staffing. Be a monitor tech. I have even been thinking about working full time I know if I lose my disability I can work full time there.