Neuro ICU CNA Injury

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Hi everyone,

I'm in my 20s and in nursing school. I have been working as a CNA in neuro ICU over 2 years. We have a lot of patients with traumatic brain injuries and are completely sedated that they are deadweight and patients who are down on one side or both sides. I have 9 patients assigned to me every shift, and there are times I'm assigned 18 patients. (It's crazy). I'm turning and boosting patients constantly and it's killing my back! I hurt my back and it has been painful the past 3 months. I went down to employee health, and they told me it's a muscle issue. I went to see a PT and chiropractor and they both have told me they think it's my disc. My lower back hurts a lot even walking, standing, sitting and lifting and my right leg is often numb. I also feel tingling in my right toes. Despite all these, my employer tells me that it's my muscle and that I don't need to get an MRI. They advised me to continue with PT and take 3 advils every 6 hours. But taking advils don't help much. And my manager hasn't been responsive with my injury either. What should I do?

Thanks

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Specializes in Mental Health.

Your employer/manager shouldn’t be managing your health. What does your doctor say?

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HR has a nurse practitioner that they hired and that’s who told me that it’s just muscle issue even though I complained about my leg numbness and tingling. I saw my PCP and got an MRI done. We found out that I have a small Tarlov cyst. I haven’t got to talk to any doctor about the finding but it seems that my cyst became symptomatic due to heavy lifting at work despite it being small to be symptomatic. I’m going to talk to my PCP first and talk to HR.

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Specializes in ER OR LTC Code Blue Trauma Dog.

No i'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV but you already knew that right? lol

See a Neurosurgeon who specializes in disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system. (not employee health)

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