Injured Nurse, Can I still teach?

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Specializes in Oncology, Hospice, Med-Surg.

Hi everyone,

I've recently become injured with a repetitive use injury in both arms which will be a long recovery. I've found through research that bedside nursing with the heavy lifting will have to be stopped to ensure my recovery. I applied for entry to a master's in education program. If I can't work bedside anymore, should I abandon this effort? I really would like to teach students, or be an educator to patients. I also like the idea of a health coach as I'm athletic and a bit of a health nut. I have to decide soon because currently my employer is going to pay for my master's. If I quit and get a job elsewhere than I will have to pay for a master's on my own which isn't likely to happen. Thanks for any advice! (If it matters I already have a BSN and I have 4 years bedside experience.)

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I think it would be more realistic for you to find a job as an educator in a hospital setting, rather than teaching nursing students. Most schools will require you to teach clinical, is that something you can do with your injury?

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I agree with the previous poster. If your plan is to teach undergraduate clinicals, that might be a problem with your disability. Talk with your doctor about your long-term prognosis and be sure to choose a career path that will not be compromised by your health problems -- or that will cause those health problems to continue or worsen.

There are lots of options to choose from that don't require doing physical patient care.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

A free Masters would be terrific. It also sets you up for all sorts of ancillary health care jobs, education of all sorts, business, technology rep, whatever. Maybe you should get a MBA, this is regarded in nursing, but outside healthcare too of course. Good luck.

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Specializes in Oncology, Hospice, Med-Surg.

Thanks for the replies. I'm thinking about working in a clinic until I finish my master's and then maybe becoming a diabetes educator. I hate the idea of totally leaving the bedside, but I can't risk further injury or issues. The doctor I went to was through workman's comp and barely said anything. I'm going to ask the occupational therapist. I think they can give me a better idea.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I am currently out of hospital with health issues, on FMLA.... but am still teaching as adjunct faculty one day a week. But our staff faculty all do clinicals. I with the PP, the bedside or hospital educator sounds the way to go.

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Specializes in Oncology, Hospice, Med-Surg.

I spoke with a few faculty members, and they said it'd be okay as long as I had the experience. I'm feeling a lot better about it, and I've seen some good progress in my healing process.

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Specializes in Adult ICU/PICU/NICU.

I am an old broken down retired critical care nurse who's knees no longer allow me to work in the ICU setting. I have been retired from critical care for 5 years now. I am still active in nursing as a substitute assistant school nurse taking care of special needs students. Physically, the job is very easy unless I have a lot of steps to climb (I need my cane for steps.). I am still using some of my ICU skills as there are now more medically complex children in the public schools than ever before. When I work at the handicapped school, I often have little kids who have trachs....some on vents. Some have G tubes, some need cathed, some are on TPN and lipids who have GI issues....and they can still go to school and learn things. There have been times that I was so busy that I thought I was back in the PICU when I had one get sick and we had to transport to the hospital and another one had to go back to the LTC facility where she lived. The difference is I have no monitor (except the finger O2 sat), no O2, no drug box, no house officer....all I have is the regular school RN and 911!

If you have never considered school nursing, you may wish to think about it. I thought I could never love another type of nursing after critical care, but I have developed a love for it..and in my old age I'm glad to be doing something in nursing. You also do quite a bit of teaching in school nursing...to the staff and the students. The pay is variable from state to state. Where I work, the school nurses (not the assistants) are members of the teachers union and get the same salary and benefits that the teachers get. If you get your MSN, you'll have a nice bump in your salary. However, if you live in a right to work for less state, school nurses are not paid nearly as well and it may not be worth it.

I understand about having to leave the bedside due to injury and it was very difficult for me to accept that I couldn't physically do the job anymore. I thought I would just call it quits and that would be that. However, I really didn't want to fully retire and I found a way to stay in nursing, even though the old grey mare ain't what she used to be. If there is a place in nursing for me...an old LPN from the dark ages who needs a cane to climb stairs and walk long distances....there certainly is a place for a young pup like you!

Best to you,

Mrs H.

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Specializes in Oncology, Hospice, Med-Surg.
I am an old broken down retired critical care nurse who's knees no longer allow me to work in the ICU setting. I have been retired from critical care for 5 years now. I am still active in nursing as a substitute assistant school nurse taking care of special needs students. Physically, the job is very easy unless I have a lot of steps to climb (I need my cane for steps.). I am still using some of my ICU skills as there are now more medically complex children in the public schools than ever before. When I work at the handicapped school, I often have little kids who have trachs....some on vents. Some have G tubes, some need cathed, some are on TPN and lipids who have GI issues....and they can still go to school and learn things. There have been times that I was so busy that I thought I was back in the PICU when I had one get sick and we had to transport to the hospital and another one had to go back to the LTC facility where she lived. The difference is I have no monitor (except the finger O2 sat), no O2, no drug box, no house officer....all I have is the regular school RN and 911!

If you have never considered school nursing, you may wish to think about it. I thought I could never love another type of nursing after critical care, but I have developed a love for it..and in my old age I'm glad to be doing something in nursing. You also do quite a bit of teaching in school nursing...to the staff and the students. The pay is variable from state to state. Where I work, the school nurses (not the assistants) are members of the teachers union and get the same salary and benefits that the teachers get. If you get your MSN, you'll have a nice bump in your salary. However, if you live in a right to work for less state, school nurses are not paid nearly as well and it may not be worth it.

I understand about having to leave the bedside due to injury and it was very difficult for me to accept that I couldn't physically do the job anymore. I thought I would just call it quits and that would be that. However, I really didn't want to fully retire and I found a way to stay in nursing, even though the old grey mare ain't what she used to be. If there is a place in nursing for me...an old LPN from the dark ages who needs a cane to climb stairs and walk long distances....there certainly is a place for a young pup like you!

Best to you,

Mrs H.

I'm so glad you found some work and thanks for the encouragement. I'm re-framing my thinking and looking on the bright side. I just need to find another job.

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