faroe78

UPDATE! I'm working again! An agency took a chance on me and I am currently working in a factory's health clinic doing occupational health nursing. It's a temp job, that started last November, and was only supposed to last till January, but was extended into March and then through May! I have felt like the village idiot with this job, but it's been an awesome learning experience and it's work experience, something positive I can put on my resume. And the pay is nice too!

I am an RN who became disabled in July 2007, after a serious illness.I had acute pancreatitis, acute respiratory failure, & ended up vented & in a coma for a few days. When I came out of the coma, I had gait disturbance, balance issues, & loss of stamina & strength. I was living in Oregon, & relocated to Iowa to recuperate near family. I've gone through PT & OT, and speech therapy. Had to use a walker for a time, then a cane. As time went on, I improved, & grew stronger. Now, I'm great. Sometimes, my legs are a bit weak, in that when I go to stand, sometimes, I can't on the first try, & have to try again. I always make it on the second try. I am great, though, and ready to get back to work. My work history is that I graduated nursing school in late 1995, began work as an RN in 1996. I worked up until July 2007. I worked acute care all that time, mostly orthopaedics. I'm having a hard time getting back to acute care. I have tried long term care, but was let go from one job & had to quit another when I got sick with a viral URI (there's more to that but that would make this ungodly long). I keep hearing about a nursing shortage, I am not sure there is one. Not in Iowa anyhow. I get interviewed & rejected. I suck at long term care, but I acknowledge it's hard work. Harder than acute care. I have heard there is freeze on nursing jobs in Des Moines, & so I am starting to look further afield, like Nebraska or Wisconsin. Is there something else I should be doing? When I can afford it, I plan to work on getting some CEU's, esp in medications, assessments, & documentation. I have also begun to consider nursing refresher courses, although Iowa has no programs that I can find. There's always Missouri & Nebraska. I'm trying just for some stopgap jobs at this point, just to keep the rent paid & lights on.:paw: My German Shepherd says don't forget the dogfood. Any helpful ideas would be awesome. I know I can do the work, I think about it all the time & I'd give most anything to get back to it. Thanks in advance! Susan

I've been on disability since July 14, 2007. I had acute pancreatitis, DKA and respiratory failure. I was in a coma and entubated for about 7 days. I had to learn to walk again and had a loss of stamina. I moved to Iowa from Oregon to recuperate close to family. I was a floor nurse, I worked nights in an orthopedic unit. My doctor says I'll probably never be able to return to floor nursing. I still have trouble standing for long periods, but I'm doing pretty well, living independently, and not requiring a walker or cane. Sometimes I keep a cane in my truck for security, as I used to get pretty worn out. I thought perhaps I could transition into a number of things, such as care management, case management, psych, or something along those lines. I really want to get back to work. Living on long term disability is not my bag! I'd still like to try to get into psych. I had thought about it before I got sick, but they (at the hospital I was working at) wanted someone with 5 solid years of psych experience, rather than one with occasional experience from working in the float pool. To boil this down, I'm trying to get back to work, and trying to get into something I think I can do. Something I can physically do. Any ideas, suggestions or good advice? My computer's down at home, so I only can get online at the library 2-3 days a week, but I'll be looking for your responses. Be well. Susan in Iowa

I think someone has some job burnout. I've got it as well, but I am going to try to change disciplines. I'm tired of the "floor" nursing, tired of dressings, vital signs, and so much more. I've been a nurse for over 10 years, was a CNA as well as a unit clerk for about 20 or more. I'm almost 47 now, have had C6-7 fusion last December, might need to have shoulder surgery. And I'm pretty well disgusted with my employer. Yup, I'm burned out. I'd like to try psych, and maybe even in another state. I sometimes work psych now. It's not always easy, and it can be hard, but in such a different way. If you find yourself hating colleagues, your job, whatever, try a change in disciplines--working in a doctor's office, urgent care clinic. Maybe try travel nursing if you can. Good luck! faroe