RN2B-Sciatica-Help!

oramar · Mar 22, 2008

A lot depends on whether you back injury is job related or if it is something that occured outside of your job. What you do and don't do really varies depending on that.

cpnegrad07 · Mar 22, 2008

You will probably need to seek med attn eventually, right? If you do it under workers' comp, at least it is paid for (and maybe some amt of wages). If you quit and later go to a dr., it will show up on your med records and won't be paid for.

I had a similar kind of thing (sciatica, that is)--hurt it off the job, went to my chiropractor (i have health insurance and it didn't keep me off the job), found out it wasn't herniated, and after 2-3 years, the weird leg numbness went away.

I wish we didn't have these kinds of concerns (past med hx, ins. problems, employers afraid they will be stuck with it) and you could just get care without fear. Maybe in the future... . GO DEMS!!

SonicnurseRN · Mar 22, 2008

It is not directly job related ... I'm not sure how I got the injury. Clinical's, work, vacuuming, sitting during class, etc.

I have already seen a DR. I have paperwork from the hospital for her to fill out, I am just hesitant that it will impede my RN career to put a back injury on my record. Can that info be passed from employer to employer? Ya know?

Thanks for the responses so far ...

walk6miles · Mar 22, 2008

Every organization has it's own policy for injured on the job. I suffered sciatica so painful (for over a year) - I used a cane at work; lived on steroids, pain med, etc. It became so over whelming that I almost took my own life. Go to microspine.com. They saved my life and my career. Good luck.

Selke · Mar 22, 2008

I am not an attorney nor do I have good information about how workmen's comp works, but I've been around and heard a lot of horror stories. Personally, I would not want this on my job record or any forms the hospital could get their hands on. You do not want record of a back injury or painful back on your official records. It is not their business. They may can you already as it is. You are at the beginning of your career. You can't prove this is job related; it probably is not, as you indicated. You do not want to file workmen's comp. Prospective employers can access anyone's workmen's comp claims and will deny hire based on those. For a high risk for back injury like nursing, this is the kiss of death, especially for a brand new graduate. You will not get hired and will not qualify for non-physical jobs due to your lack of bedside experience.

That said, sciatica and low back pain are commonly related to being out of shape, being overweight, stressed and overworked and weak hip and core muscles. It can be fixed through a regular stretching, core strengthening, and weight training program, but the key word is "regular," several times a week. I suggest you invest in a personal trainer who has at least a bachelor's degree and has worked with rehab patients (i.e. not some jock "trainer" at the local gym but someone who is certified and knows their stuff.) The website http://www.spine-health.com has all kinds of information about sciatica and back and stretching exercises.

And ... nursing is tough on your back so you REALLY want to get your back pain under control NOW and get those muscles strong as you can. You won't get the non-physically stressful job until you have some years experience on the floor under your belt. Or return to graduate school ...

(Been there, done that ... the trainer has been the best investment I could make in myself.)