Hello everyone. Looking for some career advice here, especially from anyone that's been in my predicament before. Not looking for medical advice, just to be clear.
I've been working on a cardiac telemetry floor for about 7 months now, graduated May 2018. I have my ADN but I will have my BSN by fall of 2020. Job-wise, everything has been about as stressful as you'd expect for a newer nurse, but not too awful. I’ve received great feedback from my coworkers and manager alike, as well as recognition for patient satisfaction. The main stressors have been our patient population (often very wealthy, politically connected, or famous), the nature of cardiac tele, our understandably burnt-out day shifters, and the usual new nurse struggles.
I've been having some health issues more recently though. I've had some worsening back issues and the pain is beginning to push my limits. I also began having worsening migraines over the past 4 months or so with frequent nocturnal seizures that have been difficult to control while trying to tolerate the AED side effects. The migraines have started causing stroke-like symptoms in addition to losing sensation in my hands. It’s all been very overwhelming and it’s taking a lot out of me, especially with it being so new. I’ve had to call out twice since I began working here and I’m currently on short term disability. My PCP and neurologist have both expressed concern that my job may be aggravating my symptoms.
Being a new nurse with only my ADN, I know I'm fortunate to have this job, making this a difficult decision. We're trying a new treatment option before I resort to resigning. If I resign, I believe attempting to pursue a lower stress position (possibly psych?) may be in my best interest. FYI, I did not sign a contract requiring me to work a certain number of years here.
So, my questions are:
1. If I need to resign, how should I explain this to my manager? She is aware of my migraines since I am currently on short term disability. Is resigning before the year mark automatically putting me on bad terms with her, regardless?
2. What/how would I tell future employers about why I resigned?
3. Does a position in psychiatric nursing (inpatient most likely) seem like a better alternative? I shadowed a PMHNP and the DON back in nursing school so I am somewhat familiar with this setting. The DON did also offer to help me get a job back then...
4. What would anyone else realistically do in my situation?
If anyone else has gone through something similar, please let me know.
Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.
I had to leave the bedside due to a blown back. I sorta enjoy being able to walk without pain, stand up straight, and sit without pain. I became a NP in part because I wanted to remain connected with patients and to make myself more useful internationally.
I hate you are having these struggles and I wish you well.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
On 2/4/2019 at 11:28 PM, Serhilda said:
I believe attempting to pursue a lower stress position (possibly psych?) may be in my best interest. FYI, I did not sign a contract requiring me to work a certain number of years here.
I think the first thing you must do is get your health in order. As a nurse that has done psych as well as med surge I can tell you that both are hard jobs. With psych there is less wear and tear on your body (except in take down situations) but you may have up to 18 patients under your direct care and I can't even begin to express how exhausting it can be to constantly redirect people all day. Think in terms of that one needy, angry , med seeking patient that drive you nuts in med/surge and apply that to your entire patient load.
Not medical advice but you should get a complete medical work-up and when your health is sorted out you can certainly try psych.
Thought I'd give a quick update. Had my neurologist appointment finally. She did strongly feel my symptoms are aggravated by my work environment and suggested an office job instead if possible, as well as advancing my education (to increase job opportunities outside a hospital setting).
Thank you all again for the advice and well wishes ?. I'll likely resign as soon as I have a job lined up better suited for my needs.
Please feel free to PM me. There is also a board on here, nurses with disabilities, that you might find helpful. I recall several topics similar to yours in the last year. In fact, I myself have had this issue recently. March makes 5 years of practice for me, so not quite the same, but I'm in the same boat. My Neurologist and Rheumatologist told me to quit drinking caffeine and to find a job that is not on my feet and harming my back. I had AS, which is an autoimmune disorder that typically attacks the spine but can attack other joints as well. I'm also a cancer survivor, and dealing with long term effects of some of the medications I was given, such as neuropathy. After 5 years I'm moving to clinic nursing in an Oncology setting. I've already been in Oncology 2 years on the floor so it was natural transition for me. Clinic nursing might be your best bet.
Hello everyone. Looking for some career advice here, especially from anyone that's been in my predicament before. Not looking for medical advice, just to be clear.
I've been working on a cardiac telemetry floor for about 7 months now, graduated May 2018. I have my ADN but I will have my BSN by fall of 2020. Job-wise, everything has been about as stressful as you'd expect for a newer nurse, but not too awful. I’ve received great feedback from my coworkers and manager alike, as well as recognition for patient satisfaction. The main stressors have been our patient population (often very wealthy, politically connected, or famous), the nature of cardiac tele, our understandably burnt-out day shifters, and the usual new nurse struggles.
I've been having some health issues more recently though. I've had some worsening back issues and the pain is beginning to push my limits. I also began having worsening migraines over the past 4 months or so with frequent nocturnal seizures that have been difficult to control while trying to tolerate the AED side effects. The migraines have started causing stroke-like symptoms in addition to losing sensation in my hands. It’s all been very overwhelming and it’s taking a lot out of me, especially with it being so new. I’ve had to call out twice since I began working here and I’m currently on short term disability. My PCP and neurologist have both expressed concern that my job may be aggravating my symptoms.
Being a new nurse with only my ADN, I know I'm fortunate to have this job, making this a difficult decision. We're trying a new treatment option before I resort to resigning. If I resign, I believe attempting to pursue a lower stress position (possibly psych?) may be in my best interest. FYI, I did not sign a contract requiring me to work a certain number of years here.
So, my questions are:
1. If I need to resign, how should I explain this to my manager? She is aware of my migraines since I am currently on short term disability. Is resigning before the year mark automatically putting me on bad terms with her, regardless?
2. What/how would I tell future employers about why I resigned?
3. Does a position in psychiatric nursing (inpatient most likely) seem like a better alternative? I shadowed a PMHNP and the DON back in nursing school so I am somewhat familiar with this setting. The DON did also offer to help me get a job back then...
4. What would anyone else realistically do in my situation?
If anyone else has gone through something similar, please let me know.
Thanks.
1. If you have to resign, I would explain to your manager that you are experiencing worsening health and that you need to resign so that you can focus on your health at this time. Don't elaborate beyond that as you do not owe them an explanation when you resign.
Resigning before the year mark, for health related reasons, should not put you on bad terms with your manager. You need to focus on you! There is absolutely no shame in that.
2. When you talk to future employers, explain your limitations. As you are on short-term disability now, explain how you resigned your last position because of your health changes. It's true: When you started, you were able to do your job without limitations. Your migraines and worsening health made it impossible for you to work in that area without serious detriment to your health. Explain that you are looking for employment in an area of nursing that is less stressful and demanding than cardiac-tele. You employer is responsible for keeping you safe on the job, and to modify your job (if possible) to better suit your needs.
3. I would explore that avenue, but don't lose hope if the first, or even fifth, attempt in a different position is not a good fit for you. There are literally hundreds of avenues of nursing. Don't lose hope! Your PCP and neurologist both believe your job may be aggravating your symptoms; listen to them, and try other avenues! Your doctors will support you, and provide any documents that you need in order to balance your work and your health.
Look in different areas of nursing and try to identify your needs: do you need more sit-down time? Maybe nursing research, working in a long term care home or retirement home (nights are usually pretty good!) or diabetic counselling would be better for you. Do you need a routine? Maybe working in a doctor's office or as a school nurse would be better. Do you need flexibility and autonomy? Maybe becoming a certified foot care nurse is going to be the right path. Don't be afraid to job shadow either!
4. Realistically, I would go online and read about other nurses with your symptoms or health condition. Listen to how they balance work and symptoms. Talk to a counsellor because there are a lot of emotions (and stress!) that come with being chronically ill, and experiencing illness in general. It's the kind of person I am. It can be reassuring to hear that other nurses have gone through something similar.
ASIDE:
Get excited about trying new avenues of nursing! Get excited about possibly working in inpatient psych! You are familiar with the setting, so you can be the judge of whether it was less stressful than tele. Will it be a good fit? Only you can know, and you won't know until you try! Don't be afraid to talk to inpatient psych about some of your limitations and needs so you can succeed.
As for right now, talk with your manager about possibly modifying your duties to see if you can find a balance between staying where you are now, and managing your symptoms. Together, work on a plan for you to succeed. Like you said, you're trying one more treatment.
I wish you all the best and I hope that this new treatment works! Think about what you would do if the treatment works and let that be a light in the dark times you're having now. The unknown is difficult and scary!
kakamegamama
1,030 Posts
I had to leave the bedside due to a blown back. I sorta enjoy being able to walk without pain, stand up straight, and sit without pain. I became a NP in part because I wanted to remain connected with patients and to make myself more useful internationally.
I hate you are having these struggles and I wish you well.