Will a CNA with a previous back injury looked down upon...

rhondaa83 · Dec 11, 2008

I am probably going to get a lot of haters out there for this post, but my experience in management brings me to beleive that If I were a Don and I saw in someones paperwork that they had back issues, I would be hesitant to hire them. Unless the person said It was a one time thing and never happened again. But unlike your case where there was workmans comp, I think you will have a hard time. Please prove me wrong as I hope things work out for you.

twicexmommy · Dec 11, 2008

I am probably going to get a lot of haters out there for this post, but my experience in management brings me to beleive that If I were a Don and I saw in someones paperwork that they had back issues, I would be hesitant to hire them. Unless the person said It was a one time thing and never happened again. But unlike your case where there was workmans comp, I think you will have a hard time. Please prove me wrong as I hope things work out for you.

I completely understand, I agree with you on being hesitant to hire someone with a previous back injury, but there are nursing jobs that don't require so much use of the back.

Fiona59 · Dec 11, 2008

It's true that there are less physical jobs out there for nurses BUT you have to make it through clinicals in school. Then you have to realize that new grads don't get the plum jobs.

You need a strong back in dialysis, post-partum, the OR, and even public health.

Co-workers and classmates will only pickup the slack for you for a certain period of time before they become resentful.

twicexmommy · Dec 11, 2008

It's true that there are less physical jobs out there for nurses BUT you have to make it through clinicals in school. Then you have to realize that new grads don't get the plum jobs.
You need a strong back in dialysis, post-partum, the OR, and even public health.
Co-workers and classmates will only pickup the slack for you for a certain period of time before they become resentful.

I agree!!!! But I can do pretty much anything with my back, it's not like

i cant lift things, etc. I am capable of doing it.

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Dec 11, 2008

I am confused is there somewhere where you have to declare a workmans comp claim and that you had perviously hurt your back on the job? As long as you pass the pre-empolyment physical why wouldn't you be able to be hired as long as you are not have on going back problems. As for school, you have to physically be able to do the job.

diane227, LPN, RN · Dec 11, 2008

Well, in nursing school they probably won't care but when you start your job they are going to care. Any application for work usually will ask you if you have ever filed a workers comp complaint. This can be a flag for some facilities. In the past I have not hired applicants who have had a previous back injury that caused them to be out for a long time. I guarantee they will get another injury.

You are going to have to lift and move patients as an RN or LPN. This is not going to change. You need to really assess if you are going to be able to meet that requirement. Currently all jobs anywhere by law have to disclose the particulars about the job your applying for and that includes the weight lifting expectations of the position. At my facility the weight requirement is 50 lbs. Do you think you will be able to meet those lifting requirements? Two years is a very long time to be out with a back injury. You really need to consider this if you are going to choose nursing as a profession.

learning08 · Dec 11, 2008

Depending on your situation, I would think about becoming a medical assistant and working at a Dr.'s office, a pharmacy tech or , if several years of schooling are feasible, a nurse practitioner.

It's not just about whether a facility would hire you to work on the floor as an RN. It's about YOU and what's best for you. Would a physically challenging job jeopardize your back since you'd previously been hurt? Another injury just isn't worth your while. If your back gets seriously messed up, no amount of money will make it as good as new...

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2008

Two years of being disabled is a long time. You're not going to be "looked down upon" but you are going to be too high risk for a lot of jobs.

I would reconsider if I were you. Unless you are 100% cured and are safe to work without any risk of re-injury, why would you enter a profession with a high incidence of back injuries? I know there are lots of compelling reasons to want to be a nurse, and there are jobs you can get that won't hurt your back, but I would consider it carefully.

Good luck.

Butterfliesnroses · Dec 11, 2008

Most of the nurses that I work with at my LTC facility have old back injuries. Many of them can't lift because of this issue. They were hired, obviously...Not many times do they need to lift. In fact many times when someone falls they'll tell me to go get another aide and explain about issue due to their back. They do there assessments and let us do the lifting. Alot of them said one of the main reasons they became LPNs or RNs was because there back couldn't handle the heavy lifting.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2008

I think you could still get hired. As a PCT, and now RN, I've had multiple shoulder injuries. I simply tell my employer that I'm a team player, will ask for help, won't try to do to much on my own, etc, and they understand.

Atheos · Dec 11, 2008

Most of the nurses that I work with at my LTC facility have old back injuries. Many of them can't lift because of this issue. They were hired, obviously...Not many times do they need to lift. In fact many times when someone falls they'll tell me to go get another aide and explain about issue due to their back. They do there assessments and let us do the lifting. Alot of them said one of the main reasons they became LPNs or RNs was because there back couldn't handle the heavy lifting.

Unfortunately, this is a common theme. Not quite so truthful though.

MANY people will claim they have a back injury and can't lift because they don't want to or can't.

We have had people try that at OUT facility and as soon as they pull the 'back injury' card they are immediately required to provide documentation from their doctor stating that they can't do it.

If they can't and legitimately have a back issue, if they didn't disclose it on the physical form they are terminated.

If they did disclose it then there is no problem.

If they can't produce documentation they are also terminated.