rotator cuff surgery before new grad program starts

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Hi all,

I recently got called in for an interview at one of the top hospitals for a new grad nursing position. I graduated from nursing school in May 2010, have applied to hundreds to places, and still haven't landed a job. So the interview is a big deal. The program starts in Feb/March 2012. There is a catch. I injured my left (non-dominant shoulder), had an MRI which showed a 7mm rotator cuff tear. The surgeon said I need to have surgery. There is no way this can heal on its own. If I don't have surgery now, it will eventually be a full tear with a longer recovery. After 8 months of physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractor, you name it, I really feel surgery is unavoidable. My surgery is on Nov 16. I will have several months to heal before the new grad program starts. My question is between Nov 16 and Feb/March will I have enough time to heal and take on a nursing job? That will be about 3 months of healing before the program starts. Since it is a new grad program, I'm not sure how much heavy lifting etc will be involved the first few months. Does anyone know that also? Should I just hang this up as another lost opportunity or can I feel hopeful that I can take this challenge on?

thanks!

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

If you're not an athlete, it should be healed enough for you to work. This is not a medical opinion, as that's against the rules, but just my personal experience.

I was active in martial arts when I had my 2 rotator cuff surgeries and did not complete the prescribed PT and I still have problems. But, for an average person, the time line you mentioned should be enough time to get you some PT and get you enough ROM back to where you can work.

So don't put it off and have the surgery.

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Specializes in cardiac-telemetry, hospice, ICU.

I've had both shoulders worked on, It took no more that 6-7 weeks after surgery to be fully functional without limitations (I had done PT as ordered however)

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Stcroix

did you get full ROM back?

Did you have a rotator cuff tear that needed to be sewn back together?

thanks

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That is totally doable. My mom had shoulder replacement surgery and recovery is ~ 6-7 wks. Do it now!

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Specializes in cardiac-telemetry, hospice, ICU.
Stcroix

did you get full ROM back?

Did you have a rotator cuff tear that needed to be sewn back together?

thanks

Yes, it was sewn. Just follow through on all your PT. I had 90% ROM after 6 weeks

Good luck, go for it.

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