Seriously? I'm concussed!

[beekindRN, ASN, RN]

I'm breaking my no-sceeen rule to rant. I fell last week and gave myself a gnarly concussion the afternoon before my first night of three. I worked two days, but the third day I left at the beginning of the shift because I almost passed out three times while receiving report. It wasn't until then that I went to the ER. Because I postponed my rest, the ED staff said I'll get worse before I get better and my healing time is different (ie. I still can't drive and I have to avoid screens, even though it's been days ago).

I'm currently off until I follow up with my PCP about restrictions. As of today, I have vision changes, dysathria, aphasia, short-term memory issues, dizziness, and a little bit of nausea. My boss knows this because she checked up on me last night...

...then asked if I wanted to work tonight because they were short-staffed.

Would YOU want your ICU nurse to be concussed?

Didn't think so.

[KCLSEA]

Wow...that seems a little insensitive of your boss.

I hope that you didn't go into work with a concussion. I hope that your boss understands that you are going to need some time off to heal properly. Wishing you the best of luck and I hope you make a speedy recovery.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

Wow. I hope you get better soon. You're boss is a jerk for asking you to work, knowing you are having post concussion syndrome.

[beekindRN, ASN, RN]

11 minutes ago, KCLSEA said:

Wow...that seems a little insensitive of your boss.

I hope that you didn't go into work with a concussion. I hope that your boss understands that you are going to need some time off to heal properly. Wishing you the best of luck and I hope you make a speedy recovery.

I did the first two days ? I had no idea it was that bad. My face hurt and I had a headache, but I was functional. I even stayed up about 24 hours the day after the fall because of work and family obligations. What NOT to do when you have a concussion!

Thanks!

[KCLSEA]

3 minutes ago, beekindRN said:

I did the first two days ? I had no idea it was that bad. My face hurt and I had a headache, but I was functional. I even stayed up about 24 hours the day after the fall because of work and family obligations. What NOT to do when you have a concussion!

Thanks!

Oh my! Please please please take care of yourself. You deserve all the time needed to recover fully. Wishing you the very best.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

What the actual what??!???! Your NM is an idiot.

I hope you feel better soon! ??

[Mom22g1b, LVN]

Wow what an insensitive a**hat your boss is! ??

I hope you feel better and are back to your usual self in no time ❤?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

"My boss knows this because she checked up on me last night". You are not required to give your medical information.

Since you did, now you know administration will ignore common sense and jeopardize your license and patient safety.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Wow. Concussions are no joke...just ask a football player with CTE. Your manager is an orifice. Don't go back into work until you are completely over the concussion.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

On 11/23/2019 at 12:44 AM, VivaLasViejas said:

Wow. Concussions are no joke...just ask a football player with CTE. Your manager is an orifice. Don't go back into work until you are completely over the concussion.

Absolutely!! A few years ago actually, I was at “VIP Day” at my son’s school. Another student’s VIP was his college-age sister. She was a soccer player on athletic scholarship and was even coaching a youth team. She was free to come to class, because concussions had recently ended her soccer “career.”

My daughter got one when she was 14 — hit in the head with a rogue volleyball. Her pediatrician ordered not only physical rest, but no reading, exams, or mentally strenuous homework — until asymptotic for 2-3 days

ICU shifts with a concussion are a TERRIBLE idea!!