work from home LPN

well, nobody has spoken up yet so I'm answering with my 2 cents so you know you were heard. I've had many ideas in the past, just didn't have the time to work on them. You can still do alot. HHMMMM, have you looked at ebay? I sold some stuff there when in school, for extra money. Some people do real well, and you can fit your schedule to how you feel. Look up things that interest you and see how they sell for others. I bought used books at the local libraries and thrift shops, sold them on ebay, and make a few hundred each month. If you do it full time, you could make alot more. Another thing I keep thinking of is how many pregnant nurses I see. There is no great source for maternity scrubs! Maybe you could do something with that?

I know that with depression, nothing seems like it will be as you wanted it to, and it sounds like you don't really want to stop nursing yet. I don't know alot of details, but don't nurses work for insurance agencies and basically are on the phone all day, mostly interviewing and consulting work? I wonder how you find those kind of jobs...

Make a list of what you will still be able to do- figure out what you are really interested in- Could you teach? Nursing instructor? Keep posting, something will come up!

Hello!

First, I love the above posters suggestions. They're great! I love the maternity scrubs...excellent idea!

I think there are several things you could do from home, such as medical transcription, medical reviewing, case management, teaching, etc.

Keep searching....you will find something

Melissa

I am in a similar situation. I'm an RN who just how both knees replaced in Nov. 2005 due to arthritis. My doc. won't let me go back to even light duty for another 3 weeks at least! I want to get back as a full-time home health nurse, but I'm not so sure that will work.

I understand the depression. Hang in there and do what you can! It helps me to give myself time to relax and just take a step back from everything. After I've cleared my mind of worries, I can focus on positive solutions. Prayer also helps me alot!

Good luck with whatever you can find and with managing your arthritis.

I have permanent restrictions that also keep me from patietn care sinc 2000. The restrictions you list seem too restrictive. What do you think of them? Do you feel they actually reflect what your restrictions truly should be? If not, I would work on getting them changed. Did they actually do a thorough assessment of your limitations? I can't remember what it was called now, but they actually sent me for a 4 hour series of tests. I walked and squatted and reached and bent and did manual and gross dexterity tests. Not until then did they set my permanent restrictions. Of course this could work for you or against you, but I don't see how your restrictions could get any worse.

I have worked Corporate Compliance, coding, consulting, in-services for medical device companies, chart review, and now case management. And I only graduated in 97. With all your nursing experience just think what you can do!

One thing you can do right now is get into doing HEDIS chart reviews. That is if you are able to drive to Dr's offices and do chart review. The rest you do from home. Alot of companies are hiring for this temporary project right now. Usually lasts from Mid-Feb until Early May. Depends on the company. It's really easy, any nurse can do it. If you are interested in doing this, don't delay. Go to monster.com and any other job search site and put in keyword HEDIS. Good luck!

If any of you can work at all, sometimes agencies have clients who just need a simple treatment once or twice daily such as a streight cath or check their blood sugar. If you got some cases like that, maybe you could do them. Hope this helps. Sorry that all of you are having such difficulties.

I have your answer, it is not so easy to get hired but there are more out there and just keep trying. Some services hire nurses to triage over the phone and pay very well. You usually need pedi experience since alot of calls are pedi. here is your link, I get no commissions from this and this is a legit business oppurtunity.

fonemed.com

Hello, I am an LPN of 32yrs ,,, However just diagnosed with Arthritis Last yr and am on tons of medicine, on disability at this time (from my job, not social security disability) Doctor has told me my days as a floor nurse are over, she wrote on disability papers--- no lifting more than 5lbs, no sitting for long periods of time, no squatting, no stairs, no repetitive motions with hands ,,, no walking for more than 20mins,,, soooooo does anybody know what I might can do from my home computer, I really feel like I have tons of nursing in my brain, but just need to use it..At home I can work and take breaks etc,,, just need to know what I might can do... I thought about Medical transcription but do not even know how to get started on it...Do not even know if that would be the thing for me or not... Anybody have any suggestions for my condition? I could do call-backs to check on patients or SOMETHING!!! I am going crazy ... after working for all those yrs and now nothing,, I have got to have something to do....also need money and who don't ... am getting depressed also... Thanks .... any advice would be very welcomed... Weezer123

Dear Weezer123,

I am in much the same boat 27 years as an LPN, dealing with arthritis also. I've worked for those insurance companies someone mentioned... Stay out of call centers typically you are tethered to a phone, every second is accounted for and all calls are recorded and its very difficult to be a patient advocate when you are being paid to lessen costs for the insurance companys' client (the employer) a distinction most insured people aren't aware of. Half are nurses half of them aren't. Met alot of cranky nurses old and young alike who think everyone calling in for short term/ long term benefits they have paid for are scammers. Ended up leaving but it was really eye opening! Sad mostly... Only thing I came away feeling about most of them was atleast these nurses aren't at the bedside. Its horrific enough to think that once upon a time they were... If only I could share with patients what I learned about insurance industry, (I have to be very careful here) it sounds like you've got a good advocate in your physician and that can be half the battle. Are you rhuematoid?

Hi there.

I use to say "I have been in healthcare for thirty two many yeas".....but not it is about 36. Let me be sure I understand... You are no longer able to fulfill your duties as a nurse working on your feet 8-12 hours a day (or more) right? Due to pain? (and/or other health concerns)?? BUT you are still interested in helping others and of course supporting your self, right? I have a great job that counteracts all the stress of the regular FT day job and will allow me to give up the day job much sooner than planned..and it has an option for insurance too! Looking forward to that day and I know it is close! I have been doing it for several years very part time but is is something that can be done FT as well.

Mary Ann

What are you doing now?

I am in the same position. Have been an LVN for 17 years and dealing with the same issues. This is all I have known and have RA and am falling into a deep depression. Am told by Dr I need to get on disability. I have thought about starting a group home and letting someone run it. I have also thought about going back and getting a degree in pyschology and do counselling. That would be a career behind a desk.

I feel like there is a lot of pressure to work in traditional nursing jobs. I have a shoulder injury after working in direct pt care for over 25 yrs. I am very excited to find other types of work. My biggest reservation about it is being judged by others because I wont be working in hands on care. If you are on a lot of meds and your MD has restricted you from lifting why do you want to continue hurting yourself and potentially hurt a patient?