want to be nurse but have back probkems

[musicangel2124]

I want advice from nurses and student nurses. I want nothing more than to be a nurse. However, it has been brought to my attention that I may want to reconsider because I have back problems and may not be able to lift heavy patients all the time. I really want to work in nicu anyway but I thought as long as I work with new borns or in pediatrics that I will be ok. I also have medical billing and insurance experience so I could also work as a nurse for an insurance company, phone triage or even legal nursing. Babies are my passion though. I have just found the associates program I like and will transfer to get my bachelor's after I get into a hospital. I just wondered if there were any other nurses out there dealing with difficult back problems and what they would tell a student going into nursing with these issues and the best ways to survive it.

[Stephalump]

While it might be great for you to work in the NICU, you have to get through nursing school and any other jobs you may have to take before getting into your first choice. One of the first things your program should teach you is how to protect your back. I'm not sure how helpful all of those things will ultimately be since you are already struggling, but I'd think you could lessen possible damage somewhat.

I have neck problems from a car accident and nursing school is killing me! All the bending over ( from studying AND clinicals) is causing me a lot of pain. I've been hoping I can actually spend my life doing what I love, which is patient care.

[eatmysoxRN, ASN, RN]

I have some issues with my neck and back (severe scoliosis and DDD). I'm very young but I'm in a battle with pain sometimes. I find the worst times are when I'm in the adult ICU. Many of those patients have little ability to assist and wreck havoc on my back. I'd love ICU otherwise. On my step down/cp obs unit, I typically do less back breaking work. Even using proper stance and doing things correctly, pulling on 300+ pound patients is painful. Just try to be easy on yourself. It is possible to do the work without hurting yourself, but don't mess yourself up for life.

~ No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent -Eleanor Roosevelt ~

[musicangel2124]

Thanks guys. This gives me hope. I really want to be more hands on with patients and I would hate to think that I will be stuck at a desk just talking to the patients insurance company for the rest of my life. Although I take pride in whatever job I have I'd like to think I can use my life to make more of a difference in other peoples lives. What inspired me in the particular nicu field was my 9 month old was there for almost 2 weeks. I was already interested in nursing so I took the opportunity to talk to these nurses. Every single nicu nurse had the same response about there job "I can't believe I get paid to do this, I love it". I love babies too and what a blessing it would be to ne able to say that about your job!!!!

[sjtrk]

I guess it depends on what kind of back problems a person has as to whether they can do this job. I have degenerative disc disease and had a spinal fusion (a failed one at that) when I was 21 on my L5S1. I battle chronic pain every day; however, for me it feels much better to be up and moving around than it does to sit. Mine is all in my lumbar spine, so sitting kills it. If I have to stand in one position for too long it will start to ache but moving around and lifting don't bother me. Now for people with upper back problems and muscular, I would think that's a whole different story. In way, I guess this line of work might be therapeutic for me LOL.