This is not what I thought it was

Published

So I have gone through my 3 months of orientation & so far I can't say I love my job. The hours are long, I'm treated like **** by patient's, family members (that's expected) & coworkers & the pay is horrendous.

But my KNEES! My knees are KILLING me by the end of my shift. I was almost in tears yesterday. I have seen my PCP with no relief & am due to see a Rhumatologist this month. I wear compression socks, knee braces & special shoes. But honestly if I can't find relief I'm thinking about quiting. Nothing about working there makes me want to stay when I'm treated like **** & I'm in constant, 10/10 pain.

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Welcome to the world of acute care nursing!

Unfortunately, bedside nurses are often treated like absolute garbage, hence the high turnover rates. Oh, and the pay is absolute crap for the level of responsibility and stress that patient care entails.

Have you tried dansko shoes?

I wouldn't quit just yet. Give it more time, another six months. If nothing has changed, then I would considered looking elsewhere.

Yeah, acute care blows. I miss working corrections. My mother asked me if I was "over" working corrections now that I'm working in acute care. I told her no way! I told her I'm over working in acute care & told her all the reasons why.

I won't be quitting any time soon. I just started having the pain & hope to get to the bottom of it either with the Rhuemotolgist or Othoropedist.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I LOVE my Allegra shoes ... and my Danskos. Expensive but well worth the money, esp. for those of us with joint pain.

I would try to hang in there, OC. Get that experience and then move on to better things. The first 3 months can be rough going anywhere.

It just sucks that my coworkers are all ******* & I'm having such horrific knee pain.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Go to a local running store and have them test you for the right type of shoe for your foot and instep. I run half marathons and had the knee and ankle pain until they tested me and put me in the right shoe. Now I can run without pain. 12 hour shifts are similar to the fatigue of a conditioned half marathoner, so the concept is the same. I have 2 pairs of running shoes that are just for work and I rotate them (you should never wear the same pair of shoes 2 days in a row).

Also a lot of people like Danskos and those type of clog shoes. I have really high arches so I didn't like them but I have coworkers who wear by them.

You'll be surprised by how much your footwear has to do with your joint pain and muscle fatigue.

Thank you! I'll look into it. I've always had knee issues so I think this is making it worse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

LTC. Easier work and the families are grateful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi! I have had pretty bad knee pain too. I thought the problem was with my shoes or compression socks, but I went to see a chiropractor, and he said the real problem was my back. He was able to fix it, and it was such a relief for me! Do you know a good, trusted chiropractor that you could go to?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
LTC. Easier work and the families are grateful.

Is this a joke? I've never worked a nursing home where the families were grateful nor was it easier. Yeah, I got paid more but it was just as much work if not more with a whole lot less orientation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Hi! I have had pretty bad knee pain too. I thought the problem was with my shoes or compression socks, but I went to see a chiropractor, and he said the real problem was my back. He was able to fix it, and it was such a relief for me! Do you know a good, trusted chiropractor that you could go to?

No. I don't know about chiropractors either. They kinda scare me. I would hate for something to be done to my back that would cause further damage.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Public Health, TB.

OC, I am sorry you are in pain. Good idea to see a rheumatologist, this could be a signal of something more serious. I concur with getting good shoes, and good insoles.

This may sound weird, but I think yoga could help, with stretching, strengthening and posture.

Best of luck. And for ******* coworkers and families, I say kill 'em with kindness and never let 'em see that they get to you. It will drive them nuts.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.
LTC. Easier work and the families are grateful.

1. I want to work where you work.

2. I want some of what you are smokin'.

:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
OC, I am sorry you are in pain. Good idea to see a rheumatologist, this could be a signal of something more serious. I concur with getting good shoes, and good insoles.

This may sound weird, but I think yoga could help, with stretching, strengthening and posture.

Best of luck. And for ******* coworkers and families, I say kill 'em with kindness and never let 'em see that they get to you. It will drive them nuts.

My NP thinks I might have psoriatic arthritis due to how my nails are pitting & my joints are killing me. I still need good shoes & insoles.

I'm nice at work but they aren't my friends. I don't have their numbers nor are they on my Facebook.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
1. I want to work where you work.

2. I want some of what you are smokin'.

:)

LOL! :D Right!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was in major pain until I started wearing Birkenstocks in 1998. Since then, I've had no pain. I LOVE them!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion