what to do with a 25# weight lifting limit

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After dedicating my life to one establishment which has been nationally named one of the best places to work in the US, I have found myself without a paycheck since Oct because I can no longer lift over 25#. I have steadily looked for work, but I am hitting a brick wall. It seems everyone wants you to lift over that limit. I'll admit, I have never been one to do those extras at work, but I am very knowledgeable, dependable and was an extremely good charge nurse. I have applied for multiple positons within the facility but haven't gotten them. They are still carrying me as an employee and allowing me to carry my insurance through them,(which i think has to do with firing someone with a disability):cry: but honestly I am broke and need a job. I finally handed in my resignation today, so I can draw out my retirement to return to school to get my bsn. does anyone have any suggestions.

Have you looked at offices or clinics? I have done that type of work for more than 25 years in a variety of specialty clinics and there is never any lifting involved. In some clinics you are on your feet a lot, and in some you do a lot of paperwork. I am currently in an LPN to RN bridge program and when I finish this spring will seek work with minimal lifting involved.

There are many opportunities available depending on your location: case management, insurance companies, school nursing, public health. Don't give up, there are plenty of places where lifting isn't a requirement.

Return to school ASAP. With your BSN many other employment opportunities would become available. Teaching is one. In my area an LPN school is wanting an instructor with a BSN and med/surg experience.

Good luck to you. Don't let this setback hold you up. Look at it like an opportunity to do something different.

Thanks for your encouragement. Today I enrolled in WGU RN to bsn. I have found it is ironic that their tuition is only $400 higher than the local university. My big concern is the outrageous cost of insurance when you are not on a group plan. Its crazy what they expect you to pay. I was just thinking last night, this is almost like the five stages of dying starting with denial, not believing that this hospital is not going to offer me a position and now I am in the acceptance stage.( and let me guarantee the anger stage was not pretty. ) I should have known. I've seen the dirty things they have pulled on other employees, but I never thought it would happen to me. So just a word of advice to you young ladies just starting your career, do those little extras that makes you the exceptional employee, it can't hurt and it may definetly help.:(

nursing, don't second-guess yourself. I was one of the do-everything-asked employees and was thrown right under the bus. It's all about the bottom line. You couldn't have changed the outcome.

So glad to hear you enrolled in class to further your education.

Not so good on the insurance front though. I don't know your specifics such as where you live, marital status, children at home, finances, etc but you may be eligible for insurance through government type programs if you have no income. It wouldn't hurt to check this out.

Also see if your school offers insurance. Some do and some don't, but it would be worth it if only to cover and protect you financially against catastrophic injury or accident.

Once again, good luck. I hope things go well for you !!

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