10 years of ortho and feeling it

Nurses General Nursing

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I started off on ortho as a new grad 10 years ago.. I love my unit and everyone that I work with and it’s one of the top reasons why I stayed. Also, I do float to other units so I’m familiar with how the units flow and the crew that work there. Last year, I’ve been experiencing on and off issues with my back that resolved with a course of PT. It’s been busier on my unit these past few years.. many of the patients now go to surgery centers vs the hospital for their elective surgeries.. last week, my assignment consisted of all my patients being max 2-person assist, lots of bathroom breaks, issues with pain control, and I’m pretty sure that is what is causing another flare up in my back again.. on that day, i had my lunch late in the afternoon at around 1600, FaceTimed my mom and husband and just cried, it felt like a never ending busy shift while preceptoring a new nurse, every time I exited out of a pt’s room someone else needed something. It’s been a very long time since I had this sort of a mini breakdown in my career in nursing. I felt this was my turning point that I needed to step away from bedside nursing not only for my mental health but my physical health also. Im planning on taking a month off from work to just recharge. I’m looking getting into preop.. and I’ve been offered to shadow there for a day, so that might be something new to try. sorry for the long story, it’s been since 2009 since I’ve been on this board, and I just needed to like vent to people who understand what I’m going through.

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Specializes in NICU/Mother-Baby/Peds/Mgmt.

One of my best friends did Ortho, I was scared of it, especially after I heard a friend from high school had to take disability for back problems she got from working in a nursing home in high school. Ten years is enough, gotta take care of you! If you don't like pre-op think about the NICU, it's VERY easy on your back!

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I have been an ortho nurse for 8 years

Time management and body mechanics keep me going. I started nursing at age 47. I worked a very physical job working with horses for 25+ years.

I have had several instance where I needed a PT reset (a hip and a shoulder; some sciatic issues).

We have some new policies to avoid back injuries or any kind of injury.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

I love ortho - on paper. In practice, I had surgical reversal of my scoliosis and was just too afraid to go there.

Hang in there. You've identified that this is your turning point. Do you need to stay bedside? Are there any other jobs (like outpatient ortho) where you can still do what you're doing? Failing that...come to the school nurse side! A bunch of what I see is orthopedic in nature.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

On my unit (ortho) the patients that are the most difficult, physically, are the off-service patients: the total care ones that need 2-3 people to turn Q2H, on & off bedpans. Older pts with dementia that will hit, kick, punch, bite. They can't help it, but it is dangerous. Most of the total joint replacement patients are easy-peasy.

I do no more lifting than any other well-trained in body mechanics nurse. This is a stereotype that saddens me.

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I love pre op. You might find it to be a good change. Patients walk in so there's no heavy lifting.

I understand where you're coming from. Took me 17 years realize I needed a change from where I worked.

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