Nurses With Fused Spines?

[ash122]

Hi everyone,

I am an 18 year-old college freshman right now and am planning on going into nursing. I was accepted into the nursing program at my school and am doing pre-nursing studies right now. I am extremely interested in the career, and my eventual goal is to become a nurse practitioner, but I am concerned about something. About two years ago I had spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis, so my spine is fused all the way from T5 to L3. Things went well and although I experience pain every once in a while, it's nothing major. So I know that I should be able to handle a career as nursing unless I get some other kind of back injury or something else happens (which, after reading about the career, I know is possible). My question really isn't about whether or not I'll be able to handle the job, though, it's more about will something like this prevent me from being hired? Is this something that I am supposed to disclose to them at the start? Common sense would tell me not to tell my employer but then what if they found out somehow at a later date...could I be fired? I'm just really worried and I don't want something that was out of my control to inhibit me from doing a career that I am really passionate about. I figure that if I eventually become an NP there will be less lifting anyway (maybe I'm wrong, I honestly have no idea).

Thanks for all your help! :)

[NSALVADORE]

I don't see any reason why you should have to disclose it! If you use proper body mechanics you should be just fine!! Good luck in your studies!!!

[caliotter3]

I know someone who graduated from nursing school with your situation. They were asked about it at the school and with the doctor approval, proceeded. When I go for jobs, I provide a copy of an employment physical form that I have my doctor fill out each time I get my employment physical. S/he certifies on the form that I am capable of performing the job duties. The only problem you would ever face would be those places that make you undergo their own pre-employment exam where they might look for and ask those pertinent questions that could raise a red flag. Never volunteer anything unless directly asked and always insist that you are capable of doing the job.

[ash122]

Phew. Okay, that made me feel a bit better about everything. Thank you so much for your quick and helpful replies. I didn't know some places can hold their own pre-employment exams, that's interesting. So, to clarify, if I don't disclose it and am not directly asked about it I can't get fired for it correct? Because it's not like I would be lying technically then. Although I guess something could come up if you have to get an employment physical, but then if need be I'll just take your advice and overly stress how I am perfectly capable of doing the job.

Proper body mechanics for the job...do they show you how to properly lift and things like that or are you supposed to learn on your own? Just curious so I know if I need to start researching at some point lol.

[caliotter3]

Body mechanics for patient care should be covered in any type of program for nursing personnel. It is a basic concept that everyone needs to be aware of and practice daily. You know that you will always have to be careful. A good thing to do is get help with transfers and lifting. Better yet, make an agreement with another nurse that she do this type of stuff for you in return you will do something for her. Nobody said you can't cooperate on the job. We always tell the CNAs to work in pairs, one reason is to have two people for repositioning the patients.

[NSALVADORE]

Yes Body mechanics during lifting and repositioning is something that they taught us early on! And trust me, I never feel ashamed or too proud to grab a hand to move or reposition someone! I have a bad back and hope to AVOID a fusion, so I am very aware of what I do as to not injure myself any further!

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

The nurse I gave report to this morning said she had hers fused recently.