I have to have heart surgery...now what???

[itsalexk]

So...I am a new nurse, a second career and in my early 50's, and have just gotten the troubling news that I was hoping to not to hear for a long while longer or never. I am going to have to have heart surgery to repair my mitral valve. I graduated a bit more than a year ago am finally getting settled into a med-surge position. I've only been out of my 12 week orientation for about 6 weeks, and I had my echo and got the news today. I was hoping someone might have some experience or thoughts they could share with me. It's a bit of a psychological blow to say the least, as I am very physically active outdoors, biking, backpacking, gym etc and I'm sure they'll be some restrictions on those things. But, what I am also very concerned about is will I be able to keep my job; I will have to be out of work for at least 6-8 weeks if all goes well. Will I be able to perform it, will the hospital consider it/me a liability, since I am new will they want to cut ties and run??? Also, will this be held against me in the future when I look for a new position? The future feels very bleak at the moment. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Once symptoms appear, damage has been done and recovery is more difficult. The idea is to fix the patient before they get sick if at all possible.

I am not speaking for the provider , or the OP.

I am saying what I would do.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

You wouldn't qualify for FMLA, but if they have to let you go (say they really need that full FTE now), what about seeing if you can stay on as a casual employee? They will then not have wasted the $$$ on your orientation, they will still have you to fill in staffing holes, and you won't have that employment gap on your resume.

But if it comes to it, I would think most managers would understand the need for lifesaving surgery (which it is -- I have seen acute cardiogenic shock from untreated valvular heart disease) and the ensuing recovery time. And they are likely aware of at least the basics of FMLA, and that they let you go for that reason -- vs a performance issue.

NMs that would hold this against you are probably not good people to work for, anyway.

Take care. I will pray for a smooth surgery and recovery!

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

As far as I get it, the surgery will be semi-elective. So, you probably have a couple of months to settle things down, first of all with yourself and second with your employer.

As soon as YOU get yourself together and know more details from your surgeon (like, minimally invasive vs. big cut) make an appointment with your NM and calmly break the news. See what they are up to. Stress that, in case of smooth recovery, you'll come back better than you are. Maybe they will be able to offer you some sort of lighter duty for a time, like a clerk, sitter or tele tech, maybe for a little less money.

And, yes, if they just will let you go under these circumstances, then you deserve something better anyway.

Hoping for the best for you!

[itsalexk]

Thanks to all of you for your well wishes and thoughts on the subject. I will find out more details of the actual surgery very soon and am hoping for the best. Since I will have to be an employee for 12 months in order to qualify for FMLA, I am concerned since I've been there barely 6 months. I have not approached my nurse manager yet since I don't have the specific details, but will once I know them. Although, she and the upper level managers of the facility all seem to be very nice and accommodating, I don't know what their response will be; I'm guessing it could go either way.

If they decide to not keep me on, my biggest fear outside of the actual surgery, then I will need a plan B and C. I'd likee some ideas on how to proceed in terms of finding a job after I recover. I feel like I will have multiple "strikes" against me with me one being that I am over 50, two being very new with minimal experience (almost like a new grad), and three having had major medical condition, albeit corrected, that some might look at as being possible limitation in my ability to perform as a floor nurse. I feel like if I was a nurse manager(in the real world) and I knew all this about an applicant, I might be hesitant to hire this person regardless of how competent they are. These past couple year have all been a whirlwind from fighting to grt into school and finishing the intense program, then getting a job, and now this. Any ideas on plans Band C how I should go about a job search? Should I think about look into something outside of direct patient care?

Thanks again to all of you for the positive feedback.

[caliotter3]

I am not speaking for the provider , or the OP.

I am saying what I would do.

I made just such a decision yesterday. The employer won't hear one word from me until it becomes impossible to keep my problems from them. If I can spend years being unemployed for no good reason at all, I sure don't want to pour the concrete on the burial vault of my job without at least a second thought before the concrete is mixed.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

Thanks to all of you for your well wishes and thoughts on the subject. I will find out more details of the actual surgery very soon and am hoping for the best. Since I will have to be an employee for 12 months in order to qualify for FMLA, I am concerned since I've been there barely 6 months. I have not approached my nurse manager yet since I don't have the specific details, but will once I know them. Although, she and the upper level managers of the facility all seem to be very nice and accommodating, I don't know what their response will be; I'm guessing it could go either way.

If they decide to not keep me on, my biggest fear outside of the actual surgery, then I will need a plan B and C. I'd likee some ideas on how to proceed in terms of finding a job after I recover. I feel like I will have multiple "strikes" against me with me one being that I am over 50, two being very new with minimal experience (almost like a new grad), and three having had major medical condition, albeit corrected, that some might look at as being possible limitation in my ability to perform as a floor nurse. I feel like if I was a nurse manager(in the real world) and I knew all this about an applicant, I might be hesitant to hire this person regardless of how competent they are. These past couple year have all been a whirlwind from fighting to grt into school and finishing the intense program, then getting a job, and now this. Any ideas on plans Band C how I should go about a job search? Should I think about look into something outside of direct patient care?

Thanks again to all of you for the positive feedback.

I suggest you go step by step.

First of all it sounds that you did not have an evaluation meeting with the person doing the intervention/ procedure. You probably saw a cardiologist and will have an appointment with the person who will determine if and what kind of intervention you need.

Depending on how you are overall doing and your measurements and such that person will give you an opinion. If you are confident and trust that person ok but perhaps you even get a second opinion - how knows. Usually you have to wait for an appointment at least a little bit. Given that you have been working almost 6 months already, you actually could end up close to a year until you have the procedure.

If I was you, I would ask specific questions including:

-why do I need a procedure

- how urgent is this - is it reasonable to wait until the 12 months are done ?

- how long is the expected recovery period?

-When would I be ready for work?

- What approach - is it minimal invasive or would it be an open surgery with sternotomy (long recovery and inability to lift and such for longer time)

So - first figure all of that out. Make sure you trust that person. If it is permissible to schedule your appointment for after the 12 months, lay low and do not announce it right away. Instead, find out what the process is to get FMLA and make sure you do the paperwork.

If it turns out it has to be asap you do not have a choice and will have to talk to the manager and see what happens.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

While it is true that it could very easily be several months until you have to have to procedure, bear in mind that your health comes first. If you have to have surgery right away and you don't have FMLA, talk to your manager. She might be unable to hold your job for you, but might be willing to hire you back when you're ready to come back. If she cannot do that, perhaps she can help you find another job on another unit when you come back. WORK with your manager, and she'll work with you. I had orthopedic issues and back surgery and I had FMLA. Then Dad died and I had to take FMLA to fly back to the midwest and take care of my mother until I could get her into assisted living. And then I got breast cancer. I had no more FMLA. My manager held my job as long as she could, and then found me a temporary gig teaching until I healed enough that I could pass the lifting requirement for my job. She didn't have to.

Worry about your health first, then the job. A good manager will help you through the job issues. Again, good luck! I hope the procedure goes well, the recovery is fast and your health returns fully.