Wear and Tear,your thoughts......

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There is another thread that talks about retired nurses coming back to work. This got me thinking.....

Do any of you have "wear and tear" issues because you have been a bedside nurse for 5,10,15,20, 30, etc. years??

If you do, what type of issues do you have and how do you overcome them?

otessa

I was a bedside nurse for 13 years (plus 4 more as a CNA) so a total of 17 years of bedside care prior to taking a non-direct care position. I have varicose veins, bunions(always had great shoes for work-go figure) that would have needed surgery if I would have continued 12 hour+ shifts. Going to get the varicose veins fixed this Spring-just in time for Summer!!

otessa

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

My feet hurt when I have to wear heels since I don't wear them on a daily basis.

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.

My combined bedside time is around 20 years since I started when I was 18 and the cna work left me with chronic back pain. I really don't have too many other problems so I consider myself lucky but I still have another ~20 yrs til retirement (yikes!).

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Specializes in ICU, M/S,Nurse Supervisor, CNS.

I've been a nurse for a little over ten years now and was fine up until last year when i developed plantar fasciitis. I always wore cute nursing shoes that may not have been the most supportive plus I have low arches. This problem got so bad that I could barely walk after 8 or 12 hour shifts in the ICU even though I only do bedside nursing part-time now. I did often have aches and pains after particularly heavy patient assignments with two (or three) total care patients, but they'd go away with rest. I just found out this month, though, that I have rheumatoid arthritis, so I'm looking to leave the bedside all together within the next year or so.

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I've been a nurse for a little over ten years now and was fine up until last year when i developed plantar fasciitis. I always wore cute nursing shoes that may not have been the most supportive plus I have low arches. This problem got so bad that I could barely walk after 8 or 12 hour shifts in the ICU even though I only do bedside nursing part-time now. I did often have aches and pains after particularly heavy patient assignments with two (or three) total care patients, but they'd go away with rest. I just found out this month, though, that I have rheumatoid arthritis, so I'm looking to leave the bedside all together within the next year or so.

Sorry to hear about your RA-do you have a contingency plan?? Besides early retirement?

otessa

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Oh, yes!!! I've been doing this for 19 years now and I feel ridden hard and put away wet.

12 hour shifts about kill me. My legs hurt, my feet hurt (but much better since I discovered Crocs) and I've had some scary lower back pain lately. Unfortunately in my area 12's is all there is.

I have a little over a year left. Then my daughter will be out of college, I'll have minimal bills, and I'll done it for 20 years. Seems like a good idea to retire then.

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Specializes in ICU, M/S,Nurse Supervisor, CNS.
Sorry to hear about your RA-do you have a contingency plan?? Besides early retirement?

otessa

Well, I'm looking for a full-time job outside of bedside nursing. Right now I'm working part-time in ICU and part-time as a house supervisor which helps avoid being too sore. The meds I'm taking for my RA are effective so far, so there's no rush, but I do intend on leaving the bedside all together and hopefully I'll be able to work for many more years. I really have no choice as I'm only 28 and have bills galore!:uhoh3:

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

The muscles of my lower back go into spasms with much less movement than they used to. Varicose veins somewhat-- I elevate my legs at home if watching TV or whatever- it may not actually help but it makes me feel better to do that.

I do console myself by realizing I avoided having to wear $%&%* pantyhose and high heels to work for 20 years!! :)

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Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

With 20+ years of bedside nursing, I have chronic low back pain, one herniated disk and two bulging disks, and chronic anxiety. Moved to home health to avoid lifting and 12-hour shifts, hoping to make it into management within the next few years (something I'd never really wanted to do before). Wear and tear doesn't begin to cover it. I feel like I've been hit by a truck most days.

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I have plantar faciitis as well and only after 8 years of bedside care, 4 nursing and 4 CNA. I am also a runner which probably also adds to the heel pain (although I cut down on my running significantly because the pain was unbearable). I have tried all types of shoes. The ones I am wearing now are those MBT sneakers. My heel pain improved significantly although on days where I am very busy and do not have a chance to sit, I still have some pain at the end of the day.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.

Let's see...After 32+ years I have herniated 3 discs, plantar fasciitis in both feet, flat feet, weight gain, sleep apnea, arthritis,severe depression and an anxiety disorder. I have rupture the right post-tibial tendon which has led to post-tibial tendon dysfunction--I can no longer walk for long periods nor can I rise up on my toes. I cannot wear heels or flats, only New Balance shoes.

Now some might argue that I couldn't possibly have developed all this due to nursing. I beg to differ. I worked night shift for almost 25 years. When hospitals went to 12-hr shifts that pretty much clinched the sleep disorder. I ate to stay awake and put on about 40-lbs, partly due to extreme sleep deprivation and partly due to depression. My back and my feet started going in my early 40s. In my 50s I suffered complete burnout and a nervous breakdown for which I was hospitalized for 8 weeks. Last year I had a thumb joint replacement due to severe arthritis in my right hand. I firmly believe that had i chosen a different line of work, like teaching or computer work, that I would not have the battered body that I have now.

At this point I will NEVER work in a hospital again. I am a school nurse for the time being, but I don't foresee being able to work until 67. Even in a non-clinical setting like a school there is plenty of walking. I can only work part-time now; full-time work is just too taxing for my physical and mental health.:nurse:

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The muscles of my lower back go into spasms with much less movement than they used to. Varicose veins somewhat-- I elevate my legs at home if watching TV or whatever- it may not actually help but it makes me feel better to do that.

I do console myself by realizing I avoided having to wear $%&%* pantyhose and high heels to work for 20 years!! :)

I don't wear high heels and pantyhose except for the occasional wedding. :) Even though I don't do direct patient care, comfort is key. :D

otessa

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