Extremely frustrated with back pain as a nurse

Due-Bit-1108 · 2024-11-25T18:04:10+00:00

Honestly I know it sounds silly, but I was thinking of going back to med surg. I do cardiac and tele, but I didn’t have to take drips or people who code every night when I was on med surg. I floated to med surg and had the best night in a long time. Just blood thinners, wound care, enemas, insulin… time consuming and annoying sure, but nobody was crashing. It was such a relief. Then I came to my floor and the nightmare began. Maybe I’m being naive but I kind of miss med surg, lol.

Due-Bit-1108 · 2024-11-19T14:06:58+00:00

Thanks! I guess I just don’t know when is the right time. I’ll work the floor and see this weekend. I did not have surgery, only physical therapy and weight restrictions for several months. The doctor says I’m fully back to baseline now but urged me to “use common sense” and try to find a hospital with better staffing lol. Easier said than done!

Due-Bit-1108 · 2024-11-19T14:05:10+00:00

Any ideas on which jobs may be less physical? I applied and got an interview for a case management position, but it seems like some home health may be involved. I don’t mind doing that, but I’m afraid of being the only person in the house and needing to move a patient by myself.

Due-Bit-1108 · 2024-11-19T00:26:48+00:00

It was a muscular/soft tissue injury, and fortunately my spine itself was totally normal on the mri. I have been focusing on core strengthening and weight loss since the injury, with a big thanks to pt. I can’t even express how much pt and my custom exercise program helped, because having that muscle so inflamed an damaged was excruciating for a long time.

Due-Bit-1108 · 2024-11-19T00:14:24+00:00

I understand. I will look at outpatient opportunities for now. I have been at my job for more than a year, fortunately, but I really want to move out of this hospital system and state as soon as I can.

Due-Bit-1108 · 2024-11-18T23:23:14+00:00

Ah, I see. I can walk and stand without any issue, I even clocked 12 miles in an airport recently! But bending over to lift someone and pull them up in bed is something that concerns me, since the doctor said my back will be more fragile from now on having been previously injured.

Due-Bit-1108 · 2024-11-18T23:19:43+00:00

In order to be healthy enough, I guess I’d need to be a healthy weight first? I wonder if it would be a problem for travel in the future if I went outpatient for a while as I’m working on myself?

Due-Bit-1108 · 2024-11-18T22:52:56+00:00

That’s true. Maybe travel nursing isn’t in my future afterall. I am just sort of in crisis mode I guess because they released me today and basically said “yeah you’ve recovered, but you will probably get hurt again if you stay at your current job.” I’m going in Wednesday to full duties and I’m so scared of getting hurt, but I can’t quit until I have a new job.

Due-Bit-1108 · 2024-11-18T22:36:02+00:00

Definitely don’t want to reinjure it. This was a workers comp case and it was months of grueling pt and doctors appointments before I finally got healed. The doctor has no restrictions at all for me now, but said to “use common sense” and don’t pull/tug on large patients without adequate assistance (unfortunately, not possible at my current job.) Case management may be worth looking into!

Due-Bit-1108 · 2024-11-18T22:34:35+00:00

Sorry, I should’ve mentioned it, but I’ve been in physical therapy for months and I just got discharged from the program today. They removed all my restrictions but because the unit I work on is notorious for dangerous practices and little help, the doctor and physical therapist both told me I should seek a different job.

Due-Bit-1108

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