Where do i go from here?

[chiariwarrior]

I graduated nursing school in 2011. I worked about 6 months and some of that was orientation. Then I started having some health issues. I was dx with EDS. Since then I have had a neck fusion (August 2012). It took me that long to find a doc that was experienced in this and would help me. Fused my skull to my c1 and c2. I am still recovering and still having some health issues due to the EDS. It is non curable and I just have to live with it.

My problem is I don't know where to go from here. I desperately want to use my degree and I think I was a good nurse but I feel like I have forgotten everything I learned. And I don't think my body is going to hold but to a full time physical nursing job. I don't know what to do. I may be facing another surgery in march if I am not better. It will be on my lower spine.

My question is should I continue my education while I am at home not working bc of all this? Or should I try and find a part time nursing job somewhere. I have been looking but haven't found anything yet. I just don't know what to do. Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!!!!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I doubt you could safely do patient care if it involves any lifting. Maybe in a clinic where patients are expected to be ambulatory? Sorry you are having these issues. Hope someone has good options to offer.

[chiariwarrior]

Thank you for your response. In all reality that is probably my best option. It is just so hard to get on at a clinic around here. It seems like when there is a job opening that someone gets it who had connections on the inside. That's how it works here in small town Mississippi anyways. I have been looking up to 60 miles away, but once again I'm not sure my neck would hold up to driving that far everyday.

But yes I agree that I think that would be the best option for me. I just pray I can find something. Thank you so much for your response. I had considered just using this time to further my education and getting my BSN. But I hate to go into that with little experience as a nurse also.

[ClearBlueOctoberSky]

Since you don't say specifically, I am going to assume you were diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos. I have no advice for you regarding the physical aspects of nursing, as EDS is very specific to the individual that has it. Have you considered MDS or Informatics?

I do want to say have you looked at support groups for EDS. There is a great foundation and support group with good information. Search EDNF or feel free to inbox me so I can give you the website information.

Mods, if this is out of line, feel free to delete or modify, as I am really not sure. Just trying to pass on a great organization for a very misunderstood syndrome. I also apologize if this isn't very helpful.

[chiariwarrior]

Yes I'm sorry. I get used to referring to it as eds. It is ehlers danlos syndrome. I am in several support groups but have yet to meet a nurse with this condition. Most I have met are not working bc of the effects of this illness and some are on disability. But the ones I have met that work have jobs that are not physical jobs. I am 27 years old and not ready to give up. I have a lot of pain left that I am trying to learn to cope with but I know the longer I stay out of nursing the more I am going to forget. I don't know what I'm really asking here. I guess if anyone has been in a similar situation to this. Thank you so much for your response.

[chiariwarrior]

Also I'm not sure what MDS or informatics are. I will have to google that. Thank you for the info!

[FlyingScot, RN]

Maybe in a clinic where patients are expected to be ambulatory? Sorry you are having these issues.

Depending on the clinic that ambulatory patient could suddenly become non-ambulatory which may not make working in a clinic such a good plan. We don't have lift teams, mechanical lifts or much staff and patients do go down on a fairly regular basis.

Telephonic triage sounds like the perfect solution.