R.M. RN

hi Linda, I can really relate to the fear of losing your nursing skills the longer you are off!! I have major anxiety about returning to work because I Know that whatever I will be doing, it will be completely different from the type of nursing that I have done in the past. I have considered starting the masters program at athabasca univ. but financially we can't afford it right now!!! It sounds (from your first post) that your employer and workers comp didn't work too well together in trying to find you some sort of modified employment. My understanding of workers comp was that they could also retrain you, but I'm not exactly sure of your situation and if that would be applicable. So far my employer seems to be willing to cooperate...It would be nice to hear from other RN's who have been through this situation and successfully got back to some type of work!! Anyways just wanted to let you know that I can relate to all of your fears!! take care

Hi Linda, I am very new to the discussion board "thing". I am a 30 year old RN. I have been on workers comp for close to a year after hurting my back and subsequently having back surgery a few months ago. I imagine I am just starting to go through what you have already been through with workers comp in the last 3 years. I just received the standard permanent impairment letter last week!! I am hoping to return to some type of nursing but it is becoming clear that I will not be going back to what I was doing before. I have never experienced a more frustrating time in my life and only wish that I could simply get up and go to work as I did before my injury! Between workers comp. my employer, my physiotherapist and my surgeon my head is reeling with all the different things I have been told!! Anyways I don't mean to go on and on but it is nice to know that there are others out there that are equally frustrated by the system!! Keep in Touch and Take Care

I am a 29 year old RN who has suffered a severe herniated disc (been struggling with this since summer 2000). I have returned to my job as a nursing supervisor in a rural hospital(where we do everything!!!)for two months in a six month period. The disc is not healing and I am going to see a neurosurgeon but the waiting list is long. I have heard many conflicting opinions in regards to returning to bedside nursing. My physician says that i should move into a different area of nursing...one where there is less lifting, transferring etc. I have had a lot of pressure from my family to make a change as well. I really want to heal and return to my job. does anybody out there have a similar story or advice to share with me???