Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
allnurses

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.
Discussion

I Need Courage!

Situation: I started a new job in a chronic dialysis clinic just over three months ago. In the past few weeks, I have been experiencing exacerbation of an old injury for which I have had surgery twice. Now every time I work, I leave with a pounding headache and pain/numbness/tingling down my right shoulder and arm because of the physical nature of the job.

I have been offered a full-time job with a company that I worked for previously working from home doing desk work that does not cause me to be in pain.

I have spoken to my supervisor at the dialysis clinic about the nurse/patient ratio which is 1:16. That is way too many people to be responsible for as the sole nurse in the building, not to mention that I and the other RNs are frequently reminded that all of the dialysis techs are working under our licenses so if they screw up, we will be held accountable. Her response is basically to deal with it and suck it up.

This should be a no brainer, right? Leave the dialysis job and go back to working from home at a desk and not being in pain. However, I guess I am such a people pleaser that I am really struggling with having to tell my supervisor at the dialysis clinic that I am leaving because I have only been there for three months.

How would you handle this? How would you resign? I am going to the doctor next week for this pain and I'm hoping that he will make the decision for me and no one will blame me for leaving if it's a medical issue, which it really is.

Am I being dumb to even worry about this?

  • Quote

    • Featured Replies

    • Experts

    I'm a pleaser to but you need to put your well being first. You are lucky to have a solution. Just be honest with your current boss about what's going on. No one can fault you for leaving given the situation. Deep breath. You can do this. Best of luck and let us know how it goes.

  • Quote

    Perhaps to prevent burning bridges, you could get a doctors report and explain your resignation to your supervisor on the grounds of your physical disability. She can't argue with that.

    If you are leaving anyway, I wouldn't suggest you make the nurse/patient ratio nor the techs working under your registration an issue; this is just in case you wish to work in that hospital/department in the future.

    They will find another nurse to fill your spot and just keep in mind that it's your life, health and happiness that are your main priorities. Good luck and enjoy working from home!

  • Quote
    • Author

    Thanks for your replies.

    I am planning on getting a note of some kind from the doctor stating exactly what is causing the pain (I just had an MRI and the results are being faxed to him so there should be something substantial to go on) so that they know that I'm not just trying to get out of my job. I don't plan to mention the nurse to patient ratio or any other issues because it is beside the point. The reality is that I cannot physically do the job, so hopefully with the doctor's input I will be able to bow out gracefully and they cannot hold it against me that I have an injury and can't do the job without being in pain.

    Thanks again for the great advice! I am one of those middle-aged women who is used to putting my needs last and trying to smooth things over for everyone else. I am working very hard on not feeling guilty about this, since it is truly not my fault.

  • Quote

    All the very best in your new working from home job. Ahhh, those days you can work in your pyjamas and have a load of washing on while you're getting paid! Haha. Take care and I really

    hope you can find some relief from the pain you experience.

  • Quote
    • Author

    Thank you, WinterLilac, you are very kind. I wish you all the best too!:)

  • Quote

    I've always felt bad giving notice but you have to do what's best for you. This dialysis position does not seem like a good fit for you (or anyone!). You do not need your doctor's permission to do what is best for you. You're in pain and you have to opportunity to work a job that will not cause that pain. That's huge.

    It's up to you to do what is in your own best interest. The dialysis company will use you up and when there is nothing left, let you go and move on to the next nurse. You only get one body. Take good care of it, go back to your old job, and don't look back.

    Hope you're feeling better quickly

  • Quote

    It's your body and you have to take care of it. She may be mad but she will move on. You need to protect youself.

  • Quote

    Your manager might be as much relieved as disappointed once she hears potential work related pain.

    Good luck on the work from home job!

  • Quote
    • Author

    Thanks to all of you who replied and offered support. :)

    I actually just resigned and I am feeling so guilty! I keep telling myself that this is out of my control and that it had to be done, but I'm still such a people pleaser type and I hate to let people down.

    It does help to think about the unsafe practices going on under my license and my fear of being sued because of the negligence of others. I think I will focus on that until the "new" of having just resigned wears off.

    Thanks again!

  • Quote

    • Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Add a Comment
    Go to topic listing

    Currently Reading 0

    • No registered users viewing this page.

    Account

    Navigation

    Search

    Search

    Configure browser push notifications
    Chrome (Android)
    1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
    2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
    3. Adjust your preference.
    Chrome (Desktop)
    1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
    2. Select Site settings.
    3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.