Nurses and back problems

HARRN2b · Apr 11, 2006

I hope not. I have a bad back and bad knees. Going to dr. next week let him know I am going to NS and what can I do about it. I read about one lady on here in her late 50's who said she drinks alot of water, exercises mildly and has minimal problems. I am not going to let it stop me!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2006

That sounds like something I've recently wrote in a post to someone. (I think the person I'm thinking of had back pain that required pain medication, which to me if you have need narcotic pain medicines to get through the day you should seriously consider not starting a nursing career.)

Mind you there are many nurses who have bad backs (most of which didn't have a bad back to start with) that deal with their jobs on a daily basis with a bad back, pain medicine, etc. I work with quite a few back injured nurses.

In nursing you have to be on your feet quite a bit of the day. Many hospitals have not gone "liftless" and there is a minimal amount of lifting to be done.

Working as an FNP you probably will not be doing a lot of lifting and tugging. But if you have to work the floor, please be very mindful of your back and your limitations. Proceed with caution.

I go to yoga class twice a week, and go to the gym at least three times a week and exercise not only my back but total body. So far, I'm injury free.

Too many people suffer from back pain and nursing can definately not only cause it but aggravate an existing condition.

Only you know your body and what you can take. I would never tell anyone not to go into nursing, but nonetheless would express concern for the already back injured person to go into a field with a high rate of occupational back injuries to proceed with extreme caution.

Pose · Apr 12, 2006

I have two herniated discs in my lower back. I'm not a nurse, although I am a (new) tech in a very busy ED, and I never get a break. In fact, I sometimes get less than 10 minutes for lunch.

I have many many back aches during the day, although I've discovered 400mg of ibuprofen usually does the trick. On that note, stretching (see a PT!!!) every morning, and good shoes seem to be worthy of a note.

I was told that generally, being on your feet all day can offer some benefit, although if your back really begins to flare up, it's time to consider other options (even if it's just changing something simple, like shoes, support, body mechanics, posture, etc.) And make sure to pump that hospital bed up when pushing!

Catfish RN · Apr 12, 2006

Please, give considerable thought as to what speciality to choose to work in.

I am a nurse trying to return to the ICU after a severe back injury from lifting. I had no prior injuries. If you already have a weak back or prone to injury... maybe babies, or case mgmt or something. There is an incredible amount of lifting where I work, and the patients seem to be getting bigger and bigger.

Goog luck.

TazziRN, RN · Apr 12, 2006

A bad back is no reason to stay out of nursing, unless you need narcotics to get through the day. The only nurses I know who have never hurt their backs are new grads who just haven't been injured yet. In fact, I am coming off a back injury myself, my third or fourth in my career. Granted, my discs are fine and I've never needed surgery, but my point is that nursing and back problems go hand in hand. Don't let it stop you, if this is what you really want to do.