Nursing student with previous back surgery x2

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello everyone,

I am currently a nursing student, but my husband is very concerned about my back. I have had 2 previous back surgeries and I don't know if this is the profession for me or not. I have been in the medical field for over 20 years but it has been mainly on the administrative side. This is something I have always wanted to do. Is there a speciality that would be better for me in the long run, say NICU or pediatrics? I eventually want to become a traveler but I don't know if the fields of NICU or pediatrics is in demand. Does anyone out there have any advice for me?

Thanks, justgwypat

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Hello everyone,

I am currently a nursing student, but my husband is very concerned about my back. I have had 2 previous back surgeries and I don't know if this is the profession for me or not. I have been in the medical field for over 20 years but it has been mainly on the administrative side. This is something I have always wanted to do. Is there a speciality that would be better for me in the long run, say NICU or pediatrics? I eventually want to become a traveler but I don't know if the fields of NICU or pediatrics is in demand. Does anyone out there have any advice for me?

Thanks, justgwypat

Nicu would be great but in PEDS you might get 17 year old patients that are heavy. IT's not always small children

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Nicu would be great but in PEDS you might get 17 year old patients that are heavy. IT's not always small children

thanks bunches.

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Hello everyone,

I am currently a nursing student, but my husband is very concerned about my back. I have had 2 previous back surgeries and I don't know if this is the profession for me or not. I have been in the medical field for over 20 years but it has been mainly on the administrative side. This is something I have always wanted to do. Is there a speciality that would be better for me in the long run, say NICU or pediatrics? I eventually want to become a traveler but I don't know if the fields of NICU or pediatrics is in demand. Does anyone out there have any advice for me?

Thanks, justgwypat

You did not say what level your surgeries were at or what was done. Given the lack of information, I would advise your continuing. You have opening yourself up to additional injury and/or surgery. I have had three back surgeries and cannot return to bedside nursing.

Grannynurse :balloons:

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You still have to get through clinicals, so please ask your doctor what he thinks, show him your local nurse job descriptions, as most docs don't have any idea how much nurses really lift.

Facilities often have generic lifting requirements for all new hires even if you work in NICU...and lots of places out there avoid hiring nurses with back injuries in their past, for liability reasons.

Just needed to present my reality and what I've encountered since an on the job back injury, resulting in surgery many years ago. There is quite a bit of discrimination in hiring in nursing.. I'd suggest you look into your community and their hiring requirements as to physicals and lift tests.

My last position I had to demonstrate I could lift 75 # from floor to chest high shelf 6 times, then 100# 3 times. My heartrate was being monitored for physical fitness check as well.

Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ER, L&D, ICU, OR, Educator.

New hires go through a back screening process at my place of employment. Floor nursing may not be in the cards for you, but there are many options open to you...home care, discharge planning, cardiac rehab, outpatient areas (other than surgery), school nurse, patient educator...and those are just off the top of my head.

Don't give up!

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