Love hospital job, but....

[freesia29, ASN, RN]

I started a Nurse Residency program in the PCU, which is where I wanted to work.  I just finished up 6 weeks of a preceptor, now on my own, and I love it.  My problem is, my body is falling apart.  I have RA, and have been in a constant flare pretty much since I started.  The 12 hr shifts, constantly running, are breaking me.  I am so sad about it, but I think I need to go back to clinic nursing per diem, which is what I did as an LPN for 7 years before becoming an RN.

I turn 50 in April.  Any advice or tips from other older nurses with autoimmune diseases is appreciated.  I have only been using meloxicam and Tylenol.  But am now have ulcers from the NSAIDS.  
 

The other  cons for this job, is it is almost an hour drive away, so they are very long days.  I am going to ask if I could switch to per diem, and maybe just do 1 day per week until I feel better.  I signed a contact for 2 years as well, so I am scared I will have to pay back thousands.  Hubby said it’s worth it, if it means I am not so crippled.  All my days off I spend in bed or in the recliner.  This is not fair to my family either.  ?

 

[Nunya, BSN]

If that's what you need to do for your health then do it.  And it's for a medical reason, so if you need to consult a lawyer if they want you to pay the money back then I would do that also.  Maybe get an eval/note from your rheumatologist in case that happens?