Input needed

Published

I have been doing some form of nursing for about 17 years. I hurt my back in sept. and did not see a doctor. I continued to work but thought it would get better. I hurt my back again in november and found out I had small to moderate herniated discs(4 in the lumbar). My physical therapist said I should not do direct patient care any longer. My doctor has not said this yet. What do you guys think? Nursing and my children are my life. Do I need to think about doing some other form of nursing?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma/ED.

Similar thing happened to a friend of mine who was in a motor-vehicle accident...she started doing advice nursing in one of the clinics at the hospital and she loves it. She sits on her bum all day and surfs the internet...the brat...:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Was her pay relatively the same? I do have a family to support and love direct patient care!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma/ED.

Yes she didn't change union's so her pay was the same. She was able to change from the acute care setting to the clinic side of the same hospital.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

heyhey, I have 3 bulging disks in my low back and 3 in my neck. The low back ones happened when I was a nursing assistant on a neuro floor of all places and started with a literal pain in the butt!! I was off work for almost 6 months, doing all kinds of therapy, etc. Nothing seemed to work and I was unwilling to go with surgery since they couldn't say for sure it would even help. As a last resort, I tried acupunture. It was the ONLY thing that helped me get off narcs. It didn't work overnight, but within a few weeks, it really did the trick. I can no longer do much bending.. so most patient care was out for me.. but I'm a unit coordinator now and love it. I've also been a lane server for 10 years (post back pain) and I think it's really helped me keep loose and kept my back from hurting too much. I know several nurses at my facility that have moved to a less physical area, like pre-op, nursery, and eating disorders. Good luck and I really hope you find something that works for you, both for the pain and for a less physical job!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

I guess im on the other end of the spectrum. I hurt my back several years before i went into nursing and suffered several bouts of back pain and it getting better. Then i hurt my back again and after laying in bed for a month (i literally was doing good to get to the bathroom, horrible siatica, numbness down the front of my leg with burning) i went to a neurosurgeon and had surgery. True it took me almost 4 months recovery at home, but i havent had any trouble since. I work full time on a busy med/surg floor, tug and pull moving patients all the time. I am careful about my posture when im working and moving people. I dont know how people can bother with physical therapy and meds etc for so long. That would make me crazy. I went for the fix and it worked out so positively for me. I went to a neurosurgeon because i felt when dealing with my spine i wanted someone who knows their way around the best. I knew the bones of my spine werent the problem, hence i chose neurologist rather than an orthopedic.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the input. However, the neuosurgeon said he would not do surgery on me. I don't know if it is because they are small to moderate in size or why. He looked at my MRI and his nurse called but had no reason why.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the input. I will consider looking into accupucture. Good luck with you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in geriatrics, pediatrics.

I can totally relate. I had to have surgery 12 yrs ago because one of the two buldging discs ruptured. I went into pediatric home nursing. I know my limits and know how much I can lift. The company I work for is aware of my limits and is great about making sure I am not placed with a child that requires a great deal of lifting. There are lots of babies coming home to be cared for and I have the best of both worlds--holding and cuddling babies and being a nurse. The pay is great. My back still hurts some days but rest and Ibuprofen or Aleve generally takes care of it. Best of luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Lie detection.
i have been doing some form of nursing for about 17 years. i hurt my back in sept. and did not see a doctor. i continued to work but thought it would get better. i hurt my back again in november and found out i had small to moderate herniated discs(4 in the lumbar). my physical therapist said i should not do direct patient care any longer. my doctor has not said this yet. what do you guys think? nursing and my children are my life. do i need to think about doing some other form of nursing?

visiting nurse here. i too have herniated discs that used to get horribly aggravated working in sicu.. now i do no lifting and still have direct pt. care. i work for a hospital based home care agency and my pay is actually better than the hospital is!! i am still union so have all the benefits and all the perks of working m-f days.. there are plenty of other nursing jobs you can do as well. check out monster.. they might have some interesting listings..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion