Hoping for a miracle

[Feinhawk]

Hi all,

I am writing today to ask a question that I will probably get a lot of backlash for. I have worked as a nurses aide for over 10 years and a medication aide for 5+. I got injured on the job while I have been doing my prerequisites I have 1 more class left before beginning the RN program in September. I have wanted to be a nurse my whole life and I was so excited to be heading towards the beginning of this journey (I plan to become an NP) Now my issue is the doctor told me pretty much that due to the extent of my injuries I need to stop pursuing nursing and do clerical work. I'm completely devastated , so I came here to see if there is any hope. If my final evaluating doctors find this to be true is it possible for me to be able to get a desk job as a new RN or will I have to change my degree of choice? I'm at a complete loss right now and don't know what to do, and since it is workmans comp I cannot disobey the doctors orders. Is there hope or should I give up on my dreams?

[Feinhawk]

My mom is a nurse manager at a smallish medical office and makes $40/hr. Is that enough?

Yea a nurse manager would definitely need experience though.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

We have had a number of nursing students not at all interested in acute care, with plans to work in specialty physicians offices or school nursing or outpatient hospice, etc. Some of our graduates did exactly that right out of school. We are also in a very large urban area where non-acute care/non-inpatient/non-SNF positions (you know, all the highly physical jobs) are abundant and hire RNs frequently.

The only problem I see is what has been pointed out by others--getting through clinicals, which are physically taxing.

You could always go to the schools you are interested in and talk to admissions counselors and/or the dean of the program. It never hurts to ask, but you also need to be in an area where the less physical jobs are available.

Don't give up yet. Do your footwork, investigating, talking to schools and make an informed decision that way.

[AceOfHearts<3]

If your original plan was to eventually become an NP have you thought of going for PA instead? I don't know specifics about how physically demanding it is, but it could be an option to look into.

Good luck!

[Lisacar130]

I have been working in psych for the past few years and I have yet to lift any patient. (Maybe stay away from Geri psych though).

[Feinhawk]

We have had a number of nursing students not at all interested in acute care, with plans to work in specialty physicians offices or school nursing or outpatient hospice, etc. Some of our graduates did exactly that right out of school. We are also in a very large urban area where non-acute care/non-inpatient/non-SNF positions (you know, all the highly physical jobs) are abundant and hire RNs frequently.

The only problem I see is what has been pointed out by others--getting through clinicals, which are physically taxing.

You could always go to the schools you are interested in and talk to admissions counselors and/or the dean of the program. It never hurts to ask, but you also need to be in an area where the less physical jobs are available.

Don't give up yet. Do your footwork, investigating, talking to schools and make an informed decision that way.

Thank you I contacted my counselor and I'm hoping he can point me in the right direction. It just sucks because our start dat is September 2019 and these workmans comp doctors take so long to give any kind of real answers.

[RNNPICU, BSN, RN]

OP:

There may be some options such as working in an immunization clinic, or something along the lines of community health. It would be tough as a new grad because you will want a preceptor to help you learn the role of an RN.

One option might be to finish your degree so you would have a bachelor's degree and look for a job that is a non-patient contact, that might be with developing health education agenda's. I had one job prior to nursing that was for a large non-profit and we did training of trainers for social marketing of health care. We brought training to local clinics, etc and provided techniques to help them improve their teaching.

Just think a little outside the box. You will have a Bachelor's degree and that can take you places, it just might not be a Nurse role, but still in health care, still RN but maybe not direct patient care.

You can still finish and take your boards,

[Feinhawk]

If your original plan was to eventually become an NP have you thought of going for PA instead? I don't know specifics about how physically demanding it is, but it could be an option to look into.

Good luck!

I'll have to look into it and see what I'd have to do.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Have you gotten a second opinion?

Seems like a logical starting place.

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Hi,

You could also do something like urgent care or occupational health, both of which would involve no lifting I would assume since the patients are usually ambulatory. You could switch to something like respiratory therapy, although I think they do have to do some lifting of oxygen tanks etc, but it's probably not that frequent.

Annie

[berdawn, ASN]

If you decide to pursue your MPH, make sure you love math! There is a ton of statistics to master (but it is an amazing field)

[Crush]

Not sure why you thought there would be any backlash. But sounds like you are thinking things through and creating good back up plans. No matter what area of nursing you would get into though (even if it is less physically demanding) you still have to go through clinical rotations (which can be physically demanding). I would get a second opinion as someone else posted and as you mentioned, have a conversation with your school's guidance counselor. I really do wish you the best and hope it works out for you.

[Feinhawk]

Have you gotten a second opinion?

Seems like a logical starting place.

That was the 2nd opinion and my case manager said a 3rd is almost impossible to convince them to do