Blaze RN

I feel very badly for you. I've had many similar situations happen to me. Maybe you can try a different area of nursing? It may not pay as well, but would be more rewarding. You sound like a very caring and consciencious person. The hospital can be a snake pit! Many times the persons who are in authority, are in those positions because they need their egos stroked or need to feel important. Many times they are No help when you need support. As far as MD's go.... there are nice ones and there are real A-wholsomes ! Maybe try homecare or an ambulatory surgicare ctr....just a thought. Good luck, don't leave the profession due to a few brainless idiots.

Good luck with your interview ! I worked on an MS Ortho trauma Unit for 11 years and loved every minute of it. It's very rewarding. Just remember to pain medicate your pts before activties and get them moving post-op asap. Most patients will tell you that the pain pre joint replacement was far worse than the pain post op. Ice and elevation too. Most Ortho floor staff members work together with the difficult cases...ie. very heavy individuals. Best of luck!! :redpinkhe

OK, here's my story. I'll try to be brief... I left a 15 yr job in the city with a suspected latex glove sensitivity. The new hospital claimed that they were "latex safe". After a week of orientation, I developed a hand rash, itchy/watering eyes, nasal congestion, and a fuzzy feeling. I thought..."It's my allergies flaring up". By the start of the 3 rd week,when I was training on my new unit, I had developed anxiety, facial rash,and asthma. On the way home after working my second 12 hr shift that week , I got chest pain and thought I was having an MI ! I then contacted my allergist who stated to take benadryl and get to an ER. Anyway, the new employer ignored my complaints and S/S. I wrote letters to H.R. and then the president of the hospital. According to OSHA at that time, They could only require that the hospital supply the employee with non latex gloves. The employer is not required to find you another position in their facility. In my case they did try, but where ever I went I suffered from the latex in the environment. This allergy is cumulative and deadly. I suggest that you contact the H.R. dept first and document your s/s. See an allergist who will further test and document the presence of a latex sensitivity or allergy. You can try to contact OSHA, by now they may have updated their regs since then. I eventually sued under workers comp and won. But... your settlement is based on a percentage of your gross income minus the lawyers fees. I now work in home health care. It's a nice job, but I do miss working in a hospital setting. I truly miss the M/S - ortho patients. And BTW non latex gloves cost the same as latex gloves.