RN with back problems and no job

[tmposton]

I need help here. I have been an RN for 6 years. I have an associate's degree with med/surg, home health, OR, and supervisor experience. In November I had to have an ALIF procedure done. For those who don't know what that is, I had anterior lumbar interbody fusion, which is they went through my stomach and fused 3 vertebrae together. I was not at my job long enough to qualify for FMLA so I was fired. I was released to return to work in January and have been looking for a job ever since. Does anyone have any ideas? I have been trying to find work-from-home jobs, but living in Small-ville, VA, I haven't been very successful at that. I have had several interviews but no luck. I am seriously thinking about going to Cracker Barrel for a waitress job. I am just that frustrated! Any ideas you fellow nurses might have would greatly be appreciated.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

I need help here. I have been an RN for 6 years. I have an associate's degree with med/surg, home health, OR, and supervisor experience. In November I had to have an ALIF procedure done. For those who don't know what that is, I had anterior lumbar interbody fusion, which is they went through my stomach and fused 3 vertebrae together. I was not at my job long enough to qualify for FMLA so I was fired. I was released to return to work in January and have been looking for a job ever since. Does anyone have any ideas? I have been trying to find work-from-home jobs, but living in Small-ville, VA, I haven't been very successful at that. I have had several interviews but no luck. I am seriously thinking about going to Cracker Barrel for a waitress job. I am just that frustrated! Any ideas you fellow nurses might have would greatly be appreciated.

You might try a nursing home with an MDS position- there is some walking involved, but the heaviest thing you have to lift is a chart- be sure to set limits upon hire re: any physical restrictions you have; I was able to trade off taking weekend call (risk of working the floor when I physically couldn't) with being the RN to go in whenever someone died and they needed somebody to pronounce (that is all state-specific as far as pronouncing goes- but that's what worked for me).

Having a back injury is going to be a challenge as far as jobs- even if you're doing ok now, the history is there. I had a back injury- nothing to the degree yours is, and was fortunate, but it came up at every interview .

Good luck :)

[BigBee48]

I am very sorry for that, I also am an RN who has had a neck fusion, and lumbar fusion, along with 7 herniated discs in the thoracic region (varying degrees, and one fractured vertabre in thoracic). I have been working as a 911 Dispatcher, which is something I did before going to nursing school, but am thinking about returning to Nursing. I have looked at School Nursing, as well as the previous post MDS. There is also Web MD, or Poison COntrol or a call center nurse. Hope you find something soon, Good Luck!!