I need help returning after long term sickness

[bekib86]

Hi, thanks for reading this

I qualified in sept 2008 and worked on a stroke ward until dec 2009 when i injured my wrist. In these 15 months i was doing really well, really finding me feet, enjoying learning new skills and hard working. I had been on my staff nurse development course and just needed to hand in my finished work. Then i injured my wrist. I thought id be back in a month or to so the course leader said i could complete when i returned. Since then ive had to have 7 operations and subsequently lost my job as they could not keep my position open to me any longer.

My wrist is still not 100% but i need to start thinking about what i am going to do when i am fit to return, and i have no idea. I keep having panic attacks over this. I feel that noone will employ me as i basically have no experience. I have wasted a year doing my staff nurse development and cant even complete the course. I basically have to go back 3 years and start again. Im so scared. I dont know where to start.

I did my elective placement in Malta and loved it so would like to go back there to work eventually but feel i dont have the skills, i cant even remember how to be a nurse! And this scared me. I looked into a return to practice course but they are expensive and i dont have the time, i need to be earning money, i am already in so much debt being off work for nearly 2 years.

I just dont know what to do with myself, any help would be great, thanks

Beki x

[bekib86]

Lol we've gone off the subject now but it's my right hand that's injured, my left hand changes gear, which means I need to hold steering wheel with right hand secure enough to not crash x

[Old.Timer]

I would try to use your experience to your benefit. If you are physically able to do the work required, look into rehab nursing, ortho, reconstructive plastic surgery etc.

You may not have been gaining "nursing skill" experience while out but you have most definitely gained valuable experience that you will bring to the table. Plus, those specialties may possibly be more willing to provide an opportunity for you to be successful. Just a thought. Good luck to you

[bekib86]

Thank you Old.Timer, i spent my day yesterday reading old nursing standard magazines to get me bit refreshed and going to re subscribe to get up to date and maybe look out for any courses i can go on.

Im going on holiday, get bk beginning of sept so going to really focus on it then and see what i can get.

thanks x

[inshallamiami]

how can you afford a "holiday" for a month ywt can't afford a reentry course? Must be a british thing :)

[bekib86]

I'm not going for a month. I'm going for a week and my parent are taking me and my daughter. I'm just saying I'm going to start looking when I get back or interviews and things will clash with when I'm away.

Re entry course is thousands in tuition fees and I'm not able to do it anyway as nursed in the last 3 years

Beki

[4_Sq]

Old.Timer makes some valid & excellent suggestions.. enjoy your holiday, come back ready to work, & get back on that bicycle!!!:flwrhrts: (I know you haven't forgotten everything you know) trust the voices of experience K.

[ZippyGBR, BSN, RN]

Are you in the US ? Your return would be tied to your disability settlement.

Sounds like you are in the UK, do they make allowances for your inability to fully function ? Do they had nursing reentry program?

Disability discrimination provisions of the Equality Act would cover you , assuming that any adaptations you require are reasonable - this would need an Occ Health and OT assessment to determine - how much dexterity have you lost in your injured hand - and was it your dominant hand ? can you still hand write a full page of notes or do a drugs round ( popping from foils and opening bottles ... - could you draw up an IV .... )

You technically might not need to do a return to practice course - depending on when you last worked and how many hours of Nursing you have done in the last 3 - 5 years ...

Have you maintained an effective registration during this time or have you let it lapse ?