Injured Shoulder RN - Need new career advice - please help

[mimikitty20]

I have been an RN for three years, LVN for four years on tele/med surg/stroke floor. I recently injured my shoulder, had surgery and now can no longer do patient care. I am 55 years old with only an associate degree and am really worried/discouraged about finding another area I can work in where I don't have to lift patients. Anyone else out there gone through this. Any thoughts or advice would be so appreciated. I am currently working light duty in infection control, but it's just temporary until my hospital decides what to do with me.

Sincerely,
Broken California RN

[s_jamieson]

Please do not see yourself as a broken RN. Yes, with your recent shoulder injury many positions in facility care may not be a reasonable job for you. But there are many opportunities outside facility care - case management, telephone triage, or ambulatory care to name a few. You do not have just an associate degree - you have your experience. When one door closes another opens.

[pronurse45]

Hi s_jamieson. I totally agree to your very positive thought!

[mimikitty20]

Thanks so much for your encouragement Jamieson. I am really discouraged right now and afraid of finding another job once i'm off light duty which I've been on for six months. I'm just having trouble finding jobs in those areas especially where I live in a small community. I'm trying to decide if I should get my BSN/MSN online. I'm not sure it would be worth it at 55 years old?? Thanks for listening

[nursingworks]

Getting an advanced education can definitely help. There are lots of administrative nursing positions that can you take on where your patient contact would be minimal or non-existant. Just keep looking!

[NurseEducator]

As a displaced/injuried worker you probably qualify for assistance with school through DARS and The Workforce in your state. Please look into this. In the meantime, try Medicaid HMOs or insurance companies in your area as the BSN is not as large an issue. Also, home health QA, aide supervisor, case manager, Infusion Care if you can still do IVs, Employee health, education, etc. Start your own company on the side doing classes like: CPR instructor, etc. Teach with a community college or private school with current degree for CNA program, MA, etc.
Good luck,

[SandyKRN]

Dear Mimikitty, You are not broken unless you will yourself to be!!! I refuse to give up! What is wrong with ur shoulder? I just found out I had a small tear in my rotator cuff, got a big steroid shot and I feel so much better. I also have herniations in my neck and back from a couple of injuries & my husband died 3 yrs ago valentines day! But I'm making a comeback! No surgeries for me! I have to say this..... My brother in law gave me a hematite necklace and it is working for me! I wouldn't have believed it! I'm on disability, but I decided to go to the gym and do my best! I have kept mynlisence current, and I am 52. I haven't worked since 2005, I know how tough it can be, but I am getting ready, I don't think I'll be on the floor, but I am looking into other options. DO NOT GIVE UP!!!!!!
I went back to school last semester and took 3 classes to make the dean's list!!! I'm not stopping! It took too much to get here!! Get MAD and pray!!! You can do it, I'm here to tell you!!! SandyKRN! keep your chin up!!!

[LorrieKueffer]

Hi,
Is there a Pre-Admissions Department in any of your local hospitals? I had worked in pre-admissions for almost 6 years, before I left to have my home based business. In Pre-Adm we had no direct patient care at all. We called the patients on the phone prior to their day of surgery, did a full history over the phone, instructed them on what labs/EKG to have done, did patient teaching about NPO status etc. We took all cases we felt should be flagged and discussed them with anesthesia. We did see some patients for the larger surgeries on a Pre-Admissions visit, but the only direct care we did was an EKG and drew their labs. But of 3 or 4 of us that worked every day, only 1 RN did that. That might be perfect for you. Message me if you want more information, that might be a good fit for you.

[gonzalezivory]

Where I go under working stress?
Prior to present job:I had a regular 9-5 and was able to work out regularly.I was doing 531 with sprints and Lift Heavy Things whenever I was short on time.
Now: I recently got a job working as a bartender, which means late nights. When I work I never go to bed before 3 AM. I don't want to lose sleep so I sleep in whenever I can. I've gotten my sleep pattern down so Im not so tired.
Wishes:I want to go back to working out hard like I used to, but Im concerned that adding extra stress will just mess with my health instead of improving it.
Helps: If anyone has any experience with this kind of situation, I'd really appreciate any advice.

[amygarside]

"I believe the greater the handicap, the greater the triumph" - John A. Johnson