New Grad with Crummy Ankle

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I had a fall related injury resulting in an open pilon fracture of my ankle about ten years ago. It was a pretty gruesome injury, but I have exceeded expectations in regards to my recovery. I have pain after many hours of standing if not afforded minimal breaks. By breaks, I mean literally minutes per hour for greatly reduced pain, but have the ability to go 12 hours straight if necessary (Had an instructor who even made us chart standing, never allowing the students to sit). Question I have is in regards to working in the emergency department. I was able to work in the ED as a student, but my shifts were limited and the duty was very light. Looking at a residency program for the ED and I am curious if there would be a few minutes every hour or two when charting and the likes to take pressure off of my crummy ankle. Not a lazy guy, high pain threshold, just trying to get a realistic idea, (Some say they don't use the bathroom for 12 hours or eat even a snack, while complaining their coworkers take a smoke break every hour) How one can go outside every hour and another cant relieve themselves seems a bit questionable. I do realize some days can be extreme, but trying to gauge a typical day. Thanks in advance for the help!

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

I am not giving you medical advice, via TOS....

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I suppose it depends on the ER but the ones I've been in the nurses sit to chart a few minutes every hour.

I understand where you are coming from. I can't stand for hours. I can sit and I can walk for hours but I can't just stand still because of pain from a previous injury. It's the main reason that I have never considered working in an OR.

I would ask to follow before accepting a job, but I think you would be fine.

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Thanks for the advice. Hoping to be able to work in the ER, but open to other areas.

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I think it honestly depends on the day and what type of ER it is. I know there are days our ER is packed and those nurses barely have time to breathe, let alone sit. I know many often chart in the room which usually entails standing up. Other days, it can be a little more quiet.

I personally would not count on being able to sit a few minutes every hour. It's not feasible especially in an ER. You may want to look into something where you are guaranteed time off your feet.

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Thanks for the insight. I am trying decide where to start my career and I truly value your first hand experience. I am thinking maybe some time on the floor would be wise, not just for my ankle, but also to build my general skill sets.

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This might sound silly, but if it's really only like two minutes of respite that ankle needs, can you just .... stand on your other foot while leaning on a counter or something to chart?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Moved to the Emergency Nursing forum for more replies.

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That doesn't sound silly at all to me, but for some reason being able to cross my leg with it somewhat elevated seems to help the most. Sitting like the "classic businessman" The flamingo stance does help, but not near as much as being able to get it somewhat elevated. If I wasn't so anti OTC meds it wouldn't be an issue. A decent NSAID does the trick. I might be revisiting my OTC med policy in the near future.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
That doesn't sound silly at all to me, but for some reason being able to cross my leg with it somewhat elevated seems to help the most. Sitting like the "classic businessman" The flamingo stance does help, but not near as much as being able to get it somewhat elevated. If I wasn't so anti OTC meds it wouldn't be an issue. A decent NSAID does the trick. I might be revisiting my OTC med policy in the near future.

Not that I am offering medical advice, but in the Army soldiers were often prescribed Mobic (meloxicam) for ortho pain. It is often taken just once a day, easy peasy. I have had many ER shifts in my 11+ years at the bedside when I barely had time to go to the bathroom! Don't count on sitting. But I have also worked in places with plenty of seats in which to sit while charting.

Pilon fractures are gnarly! Seen a few. Ouch!

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

What is it that attracts you to the ER? Is it the pace, the acuity, something else?

I ask because ICU doesn't have the pace of the ER but if you are interested in high acuity maybe you would enjoy it, too. While you are always monitoring your patient(s) minute-to-minute, there may be more opportunity for sitting during some of that monitoring and less walking all over the department.

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I really like the ER due to the variety of cases, as well as the challenge of working without a formal dx. In short I find it interesting and enjoy the pace. I have respect for all the major fields without any major reservations for any of them, with the ICU being a possibility. I keep thinking that med/surg may be the best place to start, but I have to admit this is in part based on my insecurities as a new grad. This is not because I think med/surg is easy, it is just where I have the most experience and confidence.

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