Neuropathy and its effect on nursing ability

[bridgetcr]

Hello, all!

This is my first time submitting in this forum. I am currently a new CNA, planning to enter an LVN program next July.

My main issue is not anything academic - it's neuropathy, which I've been experiencing since my first bout of cancer/chemo (September 2014), but worst after my second bout (finished chemo June 2015).

As a CNA, I cannot do the job to the physical ability of many coworkers, but each day is different. Some patients can move one day, but not the next. I'm not dissatisfied - I'm just wondering how fellow aspiring nurses feel. Any and all feedback is appreciated!

[LovingLife123]

How much neuropathy and where is it located?

[Nonyvole, BSN, RN]

How much neuropathy and where is it located?

Agreed. I have some peripheral neuropathy and while there is always a risk of it affecting me at work, I've learned workarounds. Like wearing long sleeves and leggings under my scrub pants to deal with the thermal allodynia (because OW, the feeling of a thousand knives slicing into my skin isn't fun), using my stronger arm to carry, and the hand that is less affected to palpate for veins when starting IVs.

Bracing outside of work as needed for the motor issues. At work I'll use braces on my legs if it's a really bad day; otherwise highly supportive sneakers and periods of limping. It's taken a while, but I've learned to laugh it off and minimize it all in front of patients. (And PT. Lots and lots of PT.)

Now, I quite honestly wouldn't care if a coworker had physical issues as long as they were able to perform their job duties to the best of their abilities and were able to come up on their own with workarounds for the parts that they had problems with. If I had a coworker that was unable to do his or her job and expected me to do both mine and their's, then we'd have a problem. A big one. I'm busy enough that I usually don't have the time to finish everything that I need to get done before the end of my shift; I don't want to have to draw my day out even longer because I also had to do everything that I'd normally delegate out to the CNA.

[bridgetcr]

The severity varies, but it is located in my hands.

[Sour Lemon]

I'll just go ahead and be a downer and say it ...as soon as you can't keep up, you'll be tossed out to the street without a second thought. Be cautious about the time and money you invest in nursing school if you think you might have difficulty with the technical aspects of the job.

I do wish you well, I've just seen this happen a few too many times.

[bridgetcr]

Thank you for your reply. I have learned some workarounds, and the longer I am on the job, the better I become at them: carrying with my stronger arm, as you said. If a resident is cooperative and can help me out by turning themselves when possible, taking advantage of that, etc. There are days when manual bp can be difficult, but I can use the vitals cart (though I try to do manual unless it's a terrible day). And, I've started PT, and am looking into acupuncture as recommended by one of the nurses I work with.

I understand the problem of having to do the work of others, and I try to do things myself before I ask for help from another CNA. At my facility, we are not allowed to do hoyers or sit-to-stands alone, thankfully. Some people still do it alone, but I don't, for the resident's safety, as well as mine.

[bridgetcr]

Thank you for the honesty.