Looking for ideas of less wt-bearing nursing positions for new graduate

[LiatrisAspera]

I will complete my nursing program in 5 months and am becoming increasingly concerned about my ability to meet the physical requirements of the job. Due to bilateral neuropathy and arthritis of the feet, ankles, knees and back, I begin feeling debilitating pain after 4 hours on my feet. After working a 7-hour clinical day (at a hospital through school), I have a difficult time walking the next day. I understand that working on med-surg or tele units would be great ways to solidify my foundational nursing skills, but I don't know if it will be possible for me to work an 8-hour shift, let alone the standard 12-hour shift. Does anyone have ideas of other departments that may be possible for a new grad with these physical restrictions? Thanks.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

The less physical jobs (case management, research, education, infection control, new admissions marketing, staff development, informatics, wound care, utilization review, remote telephone triage, school nursing, regulatory surveyor, developmental disabilities, MDS, etc) generally require several years of bedside nursing experience.

Private duty is the only type of nursing that comes to mind as a possibility for a new grad that involves ample sitting and not a great deal of weight-bearing or prolonged standing. Unlike the other types of nursing listed above, many companies are willing to hire and train new grads for private duty cases.

Did you have these health conditions prior to enrolling in a nursing program?

[LiatrisAspera]

Thank you for your response, TheCommuter. Yes, I did have these conditions prior to enrolling in the program, but with not experience in the health field, I relied on a friend's word that there would be many chances to sit in order to do charting. I now, however, realize that it is rather rare to get these "breaks". I'll look into the private duty, as I am currently unfamiliar with it. Thank you for your input.