I am not a nurse yet, but this seemed appropriate here.

[prettyindecent]

I have an inflamed disk with sciatica. I work in a healthcare setting, and while it should heal in a few weeks this was my first brush with workers comp, and while it could have been worse, with the kind of injuries nurses face. I am very young and it was a wake up call. I was scared for my job and my health, and it's making me more conscious of my health and how I move at work. I would hate to make it through school and then be doomed to stop before I even get there. I was warned nursing would destroy my mind and body, but its still the only thing ive ever wanted to do and I don't want to lose that. So everyone with injuries and disabilities they received in the field, my prayers go out to you. To everyone else, especially fellow students, nobody is above proper body mechanics, you only get one body, do what you can to keep it safe. We all know the human body is just as fragile as it is strong.

[neonatal_nurse]

I'm so sorry to hear that. But the great thing is you now realize how life can change in an instant. You are still lucky to be living the life you want and doing the job that your heart desires. Thanks for the warning because so many of us just do our daily workload without taking care of ourselves. This just shows how much of ourselves we put out there to take care of others. Kudos to all nurses, doctors and other healthcare providers who do this for a living! :)

[prettyindecent]

Thank you, I am so glad someone read this. If even one person was reminded, I'm happy. I am under twenty years old and normally strong as an ox. I have been sentenced to stay off my feet for over a week, no work, no cleaning, just rest and ice and its horrible. I'm killing the time by learning and researching how to keep my body strong as I endeavor to become a nurse. I hope five years from now someone won't have to say it to me, but I am grateful for this experience. I could have lost my job, my career, any of it, had the injury been worse. I've learned that my health comes first. We all work in helping professions, without our health we can't follow our calling.

[neonatal_nurse]

you're young. we're young. enjoy life! don't take yourself too seriously, otherwise you wouldn't have much fun.

just read on your basics and do the things you like to do. because once you're working, you may not be able to do those things again.

and don't forget to smile. :)