I want to go back to work!

Hi, I had my surgery Janurary27th,2004. I have had other physical problems since then but I want to go back to work but not as a staff nurse. I have a RN,AS degree and don't know what I am going to do for work. I can't lift any longer because I had disc fusion and a laminectomy that didn't take and may need to be redone. I go to Curves for exercise but my back has been bothering me more lately. I want to work but I dont' know what I can do in nursing. Does anyone have an idea? I saw a job for Director for Admissions that only required a RN degree with admission experince but am afraid to follow though with it because I have a had time staying awake at times. I have been told by my doctors that it is to soon to go back to work but I have been out for 3 years now and don't want to lose any more time! I also have anemia which I receive Procrit shots for once a month. Am I being unreasonable and unrealistic in my thinking? Also I can't seem to drop any more weight, which bothers me a lot. Has anyone who has been out for a year or more have this trouble? I try to eat more protein and have cut out white carbs completely, but this doesn't seem to help. Any sugestions would be more than welcomed. Sorry about the length. Thanks for any help or just taking the time to read this. Cathie

Dear Cathie, The world is wide open for you! You don't have to work as a nurse in a hospital... there are lots of desk type of jobs if you can't lift. Let me brainstorm a little with you. Case management/utilization review, clinic nursing, telephone triage (for insurance companies?), insurance assessment/lab testing, poison control, health department/public health nursing, hospice nursing (although I imagine the opportunity to lift is there... maybe not), teaching (although you'd have to further your education, I imagine) - but think of CNA courses... you might be just what a vo-tech might be looking for! enterstomal therapist, pain management specialist, of course, management... How about newborn nursery? (Lifting of 10 lbs or less I'd think... or how about NICU?) Circulating in surgery? (I'm WAY out of my league with this... just guessing...) How about AM/PM clinic? Home health? My hospital has a "No Lift" policy - we are supposed to use lift/transfer equipment. Takes longer to go get the equipment, but when it's your back... you have to prioritize... I'm pre-op - so no ideas there. But I have my ADN, BSN, and MS in Nursing Administration and have done hospital nursing, clinic nursing, management, & consulting for assisted living. There's lots for you to do if you remain open to learning new things! Best of luck, Angela in Oklahoma

Cathie, Angela really covered the situation well. You could also look into working within the school system although you will need at least a BSN with a school nurse cert. But now is the time to continue with your education especially with the many schools are now doing classes through the internet. Good luck to you!! Huggs, Karen

I also encountered the same problem. I have since switched over to home health nursing. I do assessments (OASIS) and lab draws. There is no lifting and it's very flexible so I can enjoy other things without a problem. Most companies jump at the chance to get a good nurse to do their start of care OASIS. It's alot of paperwork, but the benefits far outweigh the cons for me.