i just graduated nursing school may 10th. started working as rn-
eligible until i take the boards in june and then on may 25th. i had been working 1 week, really loving my department and then... i fell down the stairs and broke my ankle (lateral malleolus of my fibula and medial malleolus of my tibia).
it's going to take a minimum of 4 weeks before i can even dream of walking on it.
i was so excited to start working as a nurse and now i'm bummed out. i just want to cry. i can't even walk, work, or do anything. the good news is i will most likely be licensed by the time i get to go back, and they are being very understanding about it. but man, i really need the money now, and i totally want to start using my skills.
i'm so sad. i need some moral support. any words of advice to help facilitate a speedy recovery?
oh, just cause i want to share my heartache. some pictures of my sad ankle for your viewing pleasure, oh and the death stairs...
I have to pay my bills, cause nobody else can or will.
I'm looking on the possitive end of the spectrum here. I will not be laid up for 20 weeks, I refuse. And I will be working ASAP. My goal is next friday to start back.
I know I won't be in tiptop shape at first, but not working anylonger is not an option. I about to hit negative in my bank account and I have bills to pay.
I have to pay my bills, cause nobody else can or will.
I'm looking on the possitive end of the spectrum here. I will not be laid up for 20 weeks, I refuse. And I will be working ASAP. My goal is next friday to start back.
I know I won't be in tiptop shape at first, but not working anylonger is not an option. I about to hit negative in my bank account and I have bills to pay.
I hear ya 'bout funds...I just want you to understand there's some element of risk you're accepting in your determination to get around no matter what. If you place an excessive load upon that ankle before its bones, muscles, and ligaments have adequate time to readapt, you could set yourself up for additional injuries. Proprioception in that foot won't be quite what it once was for some time, and you don't want to find yourself sprawled out on the ground with a sprain the first time you walk across an unpaved trail or what you didn't realize was uneven flooring. You don't want to end up with an ankle permanently susceptible to sprains.
Let your orthopedist know your plans and at least allow him/her to weigh in.
I'm well aware I'll be prone to sprains for the rest of my life. Unfortunatlly it's like that anytime you sprain an ankle. I'll just have to keep a close eye on my feet! Naturally I'm not going to do anything the doctor forbids me to, but I do intend on begging and pleading to go back to work. I simply cannot afford to be without a paycheck any longer.
I stepped wrong off a loose concrete step in my cousin's garage. HURT. tried to stand up, absolutely not a possibility. My immediate thought was "oh, this isn't good." Since I was on vacation visiting family, had to be taken to local ER about 30 country miles across cornfields in the middle of the night. Was treated really well, X-rayed and splinted, informed of fracture, directed to follow up with Ortho. I decided to wait, fly home and get it fixed in my own hospital for reasons of money, insurance and professionaly courtesy. So, 4 days later I flew from the rust belt to the sunbelt, using airport wheelchair "service" got home and saw my orthodoc. He look at x-ray, says, holy scheizze, were going to the OR NOW. I nove have pilon fracture of right ankle reconstructed with multiple plates, screws and pins.....5 months off work, still digging out of financial quagmire. But I learned a lot whitch makes me a better nurse now....thats a whole nother thang.
I'm really sorry to hear about your ankle - and here's my words of advice!
Last summer, on memorial day, I broke my calcaneus - comminuted fracture - not pretty! I couldn't walk on it for 3 months. ALL SUMMER! So, my point is, it could have been worse. And, as someone said before, don't jeopardize your ankle's healing and function by walking on it early. You will regret it, even when you're financially stable, that you have a strange limp that aches horribly at the end of the day!
It's a tough time for you, I know, but try to think of your situation long term. In a year's time, you're going to be FINE, both financially and physically :)
The fiberglass cast came off Thursday and got in the 'space boot'. I can pretty much do as much weight baring as I want. My leg doesn't hurt. The boots itself is a trip, as it pretty much flings me forward as I walk.
I talk with my supervisor Monday and hopefully get to start back either Friday (if they want me on the floor immediately) or Wednesday of the following week (if I need to finish up the 2 days of nursing orientation first).
4 weeks in the bionic boot and I should be good to go! YAY!
the fiberglass cast came off thursday and got in the 'space boot'. i can pretty much do as much weight baring as i want. my leg doesn't hurt. the boots itself is a trip, as it pretty much flings me forward as i walk.
i talk with my supervisor monday and hopefully get to start back either friday (if they want me on the floor immediately) or wednesday of the following week (if i need to finish up the 2 days of nursing orientation first).
4 weeks in the bionic boot and i should be good to go! yay!
yup, it takes a while to get the hang of being "rocked forward" by your new little friend!! glad you're better.....i'd of chimed in sooner but just found the thread. i had a very similar injury in 2000 from [really:imbar] falling off the treadmill at the blankety-blank ymca! no good deed goes unpunished!! i missed the early posts--did you have a orif? be sure to elevate and ice, even now. the bones heal well, but the soft tissue never gets quite back to perfect.
NurseBrittney
185 Posts
well i'm going to have to.
I have to pay my bills, cause nobody else can or will.
I'm looking on the possitive end of the spectrum here. I will not be laid up for 20 weeks, I refuse. And I will be working ASAP. My goal is next friday to start back.
I know I won't be in tiptop shape at first, but not working anylonger is not an option. I about to hit negative in my bank account and I have bills to pay.