Injured Workers
WING USA (Work Injured Nurses Group) is an organization that actively helps Work Injured Nurses. Through legislative initivites, to sharing stories and helpful information, this group provides a support network for healthcare workers who can no longer practice their craft due to on the job injuries. Below are stories that WING USA has collected from injured healthcare workers. These stories tell the real truth of the dangers of working in healthcare. For more information and to join WING USA please visit their website: www.wingusa.org
Went to Work Fine, Came Out Disabled
I have been a Medical/Surgical nurse for the past 16 years. As a front-line nurse manager, my shifts lasted 12 to 16 hours a day. One day I went to work and went into a room to help another staff member pull up a 400-pound lady, which we had done the previous two days without incidence. We didn't know this lady started physical therapy and was tired, so when we pulled her up in bed we felt the "pain of a lifetime."
The pain started in the middle T/4 to T/6 area. I rested the last four hours of my shift and went home. Overnight, I felt numbness down my left bicep that progressed to my left fingers. I tried to work the next day but couldn't stand the pain, so I went to the ER. A nurse practitioner evaluated me and had a trauma set of x-rays done. All seemed to be normal and I was diagnosed with cervical pain and a thoracic strain.
Two days later, I went to Occupational Health and was seen by a physician's assistant, even though I requested an MD or specialist due to the extreme muscle pain I had. The PA stated my spine was now curved to the left and that she had remarkable outcomes with a chiropractor friend doing manipulation. I stated I didn't have any experience with this type of injury and was concerned that I needed a neurosurgeon. The PA decided she was right and refused the specialist and made the chiropractor appointment for me.
I went to the chiropractor who did three adjustments which increased the pain I was having. I reported my neck was starting to stick to the left and the PA had me do a lift test of 20 pounds overhead. Needless to say, that was "the straw that broke my neck." I severely deteriorated from that point and the PA didn't listen to me. The PA finally gave in and sent me to a surgeon who "knew" I had a cervical disc issue and I had immediate neurosurgery on my spine the next day.
I would have never dreamed that one day I would go to work and face the possibility of never walking or feeling the ground below my feet again. To this day, I cannot feel my hands or the lower one-half of my body and I catheterize myself six to eight times a day. My career is over since I cannot lift more than 10 pounds. You can go to all the lifting education that is offered, but we can't control all the variables of our patients. Nursing Career is Over
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Workers' Comp Said All in My Head
I dedicated my life to Med/Surg nursing and taking care of patients. I lifted smart and always found help. One evening I went in to lift a 400 pound lady with another nurse. We had lifted her many times and she would push up with her feet. This time she didn't help and both of us had strained trapezius muscles per the ER x-rays.
What no one knew is that my cervical spine had been injured and the radiologist forewent a CAT scan. The workers' comp physician assistant sent me to a chiropractor for three weeks and then did a lift test of 20 pounds overhead which blew my C5-6 discs and pushed my spinal cord between the vertebrae.
For one week the workers' comp system told me the numbness below my waist and racing heart rate was all in my head. I had a colleague and neurosurgeon order an MRI which revealed a herniated nucleus pulposus and hot cord that was definitely an impending paraplegia. I was in surgery that day. I beg for a law that makes it mandatory to investigate and rule out such devastating spinal cord injury.
If lifting 20 pounds at 20 inches away from the body gives 400 pounds of compressive force, pulling 400 pounds should be considered equal to a roll over trauma patient.
I hope this helps some nurse out in practice be aware of such devastating paralysis that may be in their future. It ruins careers, families, and shortens your life. Almost Got Paralyzed
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Moved 900-Pound Patient as Instructed
I was working in ICU. My patient was given transfer orders to go to Telemetry. Three nurses put my 900-pound patient into the bariatric wheelchair, and hung an oxygen tank on the back of the chair as there was no tank holder mounted on the chair. They stuffed four hard charts into the back of the wheelchair pocket and intimidated me into moving the patient by myself to the Telemetry floor. I had to force the wheelchair up into the elevator because the elevator would not line up flush with the floor.
Prior to leaving ICU with the patient, I paged the Nursing Supervisor and stated that pushing a patient who weighed over 900 pounds was too much for one person. I was told that since I was the agency nurse, I was to do as the Charge Nurse instructed me to do.
I injured my back from moving that 900-pound patient and have been in constant pain for the past four years from that single move. I initially stated I wouldn't move the patient without assistance, because of personal physical safety issues.
My agency did not back me up and instructed me to "just do as I was told." I definitely felt that this was a deliberate act of bullying at work because it took four nurses to bring this same patient back to the ICU five hours later. Constant Pain, RN
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Work Comp Doctor Says Lumbar Strain
I'm a nurse and have a work comp claim for a back injury at work. The MRI report said a disc problem, but the work comp doctor wrote lumbar strain.
They're letting me work with 10 pounds lift restriction, but they could change their mind any time. They seem to want to put you in a position where you'll break again.
The only way you can "win" is to get all broken up again, or decide to sell things off and live a different life style.
I got turned down at interviews so many times, that is when I got depressed.
Rejected Nurse, RN
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Hospital Requires Lifting 75 Pounds
I have been a certified orthopaedic nurse for about 19 years and working in general med/surg the rest of my 30 years as a nurse.
This past January I was having back pain which I thought was my extra long transverse process at L4 or L5 which rubs on my pelvis and occasionally causes pain. I did not have any specific incident that started the pain. I did another MRI and found that I have annular tears in two of my lumbar discs. I am no longer allowed to lift more than 35 pounds ever.
My hospital requires that nurses be able to lift 75 pounds which I think is excessive. We do have lift equipment in the hospital but it is usually only used for bariatric patients. It might take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour to find all the pieces to get a patient lifted. That's why it's only used for bariatric patients.
Currently, I am working in so many departments in the hospital that it's hard to keep all my hats balanced. I have not been working in my certified field however. All this makes me sad, depressed, angry, some times all at the same time.
I also worry about my colleagues who might have the same problem as me. I have one who hurt her neck and has been off work for more than 8 months but is not on any workers' comp program. No wonder there's a nursing shortage. If we're not injured, we don't want to be and so leave the field. Sad, Depressed, and Angry
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Brain is Fine, Back is Not
I'm an RN with eight herniated discs. I've been trying to wean myself off of pain meds and try to go back to work. I am trying to get my nursing license in my new state. I moved after the bank foreclosed and I lost my house. After getting hurt, the worker's comp insurance company was fighting me and refused to pay. Judge after judge found in my favor and ordered them to pay, but they kept appealing and appealing and I lost my house. Nice, huh?
I'm going before the nursing board to try to get my nursing license in my new state. They don't want to give it to me because my doctor told them I'm depressed (I'M NOT DEPRESSED!!) and now they think I've committed fraud on my application since I didn't mention having a mental disability, since the doctor said I'm depressed, but I'M NOT DEPRESSED.
So, I'm going to fight for my life, and try to get licensed in my new state because I desperately want to try to go back to work, somehow, please God!! I'm going stir crazy just sitting watching TV. I can't walk or stand for more than five minutes or so. But there's gotta be some kind of desk job I can do. My brain is fine, it's my back that's not. And, at 52, I feel like I'm just too young to give up on life because I can't walk or stand.
The things we take for granted are mind-boggling, aren't they? I never realized how important mobility was... Too Young to Give Up
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Job Says Can't Return with Lifting Limit
I can't wait for workers' compensation and strangers to be out of my life. I will be going to their doctor next Wednesday. I have an under 20 lb lifting limit and other restrictions. My job said I can't come back unless I can do 100%. Their insurance company has tried every tactic to send me back to work despite my limitations.
I know I will always have pain but with God's help and new direction, I'll be fine. I'm doing exercises and stretches daily to be as flexible as I can. I also have severe sciatic nerve damage and there are other things but I have to move on.
When I see their doctor on Wednesday I am going to ask for a mental health referral to further help me heal. The embarrassment, humiliation, and stress was and is caused by my job and their insurance company. I expect justice for that. I know from what others have gone through that it is not always given.
I told my husband I have one back and I don't intend on letting them break it by what they are trying to accomplish. Embarrassed, Humiliated, and Stressed
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Claim Denied
Returning to work after a two week vacation, I soon found that my facility was working the floor with three LNA's versus previously four. I found the lifting, repositioning, and transferring with the LNA's becoming very taxing, between trying to administer medications, change dressings, and assess residents.
My right leg was becoming very painful. Being an LPN, I waited until I could barely walk, going to the doctor two or three weeks later. I was told it could be muscle strain in the calf, was given Vicodin, and was told to take Motrin. I suffered another month and went to the ER. With a B/P of 200/110 I was checked for a DVT which was negative.
When they asked if I had ever had back pain, I said, "Just about always after work." X-rays of my lower back were taken. The doctor said it looks like a slipped disc. I followed up with an orthopedic doctor the next week. MRI showed spinal stenosis secondary to two disc protrusions.
I notified my employer when the doctor took me out of work about two and a half months ago. My employer does not feel my spine injury was caused from heavy lifting, pulling, bending and stress from work. Claim denied!! My employer asked me if I pick up my grandaughter. Worker's compensation--DENIED. I am now waiting for a hearing to go before the labor board. All prayers will be greatly apprecited. I am in horrible pain, but find much relief with a back brace. LPN in Horrible Pain
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Old Nurses Never Die - They Just Lose Their Back Bone
For as long as I can remember I was putting on bandaids, first on my dolls and on very patient pets. By the age of 16, I was working as a nursing assistant. My next step was nursing school, graduating, and going to work in ICU, specializing in coronary care. I moved on to SICU at a major university hospital caring for solid organ transplant patients.
My nightmare began when I had a patient who weighed over 500 lbs with complications from a gastric bypass. She was not comfortable lying down or sitting up in a chair, but was able to transfer herself with some assistance. So, I spent 10 hours of a 12-hour shift assisting this patient to transfer back and forth between bed to chair and back to bed again. I finally got her settled into bed but she needed to be pulled up. With the assistance of my aide, a lift sheet, and putting the bed into reverse Trendelenberg (head down position), I told the patient on the count of three to push herself up with her feet. However, she was unable to push, and, with my attempt to pull her up the bed, I had sudden severe pain radiating down my buttocks and leg. I have never done bedside care again.
Initially, my employer had me stuffing envelopes. I thought I am an ICU nurse; there must be something else I can do besides stuff envelopes. I became proactive in my own return to work. I went to the nursing education department and offered to teach critical care courses and did that for several months. Then I was asked to assist in developing a program for volunteer sitters to sit with patients at high risk for self injury. I developed the plan, scheduled and trained over 100 volunteers, and the program was implemented. I thought for sure I had secured a position for myself.
Then, settlement time came. We did settle, but part of the hospital's settlement agreement was that I resign and I would not be allowed to work in that health care system ever again. Good thing that my medical was open-ended. I have now had three back surgeries, the last being an anterior posterior fusion in 2000. I also have scoliosis.
Life after surgery number three was better. I could walk upright, no longer needed my cane, and was able to work as a telephone triage nurse, though I still require daily medication to keep at somewhat of a functioning level. The biggest problem occurs when I get a flare-up of my symptoms and miss time from work. Employers become frustrated because of the missed time. Then of course comes the counseling. I have had jobs tell me that they cannot accommodate my restrictions. Now remember, I do telephone triage. I think the phone does weigh less then 5 lbs. Of course I am not eligible for disability due to my continuing to work while I am feeling well. My income also puts me out of the running for assistance of any source.
I do inform my employers of my restrictions before hire. I give documentation of my medical concerns and, of course, they always say they understand, until, of course, the reality of my back problems set in. I do not take my pain medication during the day as this would not be safe practice. However, my pain level is always at a 7-8 level. I started a new job doing telephone triage in an ob/gyn clinic and I love my new job.
However, the usual downward spiral seems to be occurring again. I am now having symptoms of nerve root pressure again at the L3-L4 level just above my fusion. Today I got the dreaded call, "Hello, this is the clinic manager. Could you come down and meet with me and your manager?? Three guesses what they wanted to talk about and the first two don't count. The dreaded discussion regarding your attendance and missed time from work. I am not eligible for time off under the Family Medical Leave Act until I have been there for more than one year, in the non-union clinic.
I am again facing the fear of loss of employment, loss of income, fear of surgery, and loss of financial security. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated and hearing from those who have faced this same thing would help me get through this. I have no other source of income and unfortunately have had to use any retirement savings to cover other times when I was out of work. Old nurses never die. They just lose their back bone. Frustrated Back-Injured Nurse
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Want to Reach Out
I am sitting here debating whether or not to tell my story or words of encouragement. I have read many of the other stories and cried. I feel their pain and want to reach out.
I noticed a lot of the stories had unremarkable MRI/CT scans and were diagnosed with lumbar/thoracic strains. My story also started out that way. I also had unbearable pain. Lucky for me I had a physical therapist who understood chronic pain disease involving the fascia system. I finally sought my second opinion and received a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. After a year of physical therapy, a job change, and good medications, I can say my symptoms are resolving.
I am not here to suggest all of what I read is related to fibromyalgia, but myofascial pain and fibromyalgia are very similar. There is an awesome web site www.fibrohugs.com. Go under "links." Scroll down to the "Top Ten Links." Click on "CFS & FM Good Doctor List." Scroll down and find your city or country. This will bring you a list of doctors who deal with chronic myofascial pain. Some of them have websites. It is worth checking out. Before my diagnosis, my pain was rated 7-8. After my fibromyalgia diagnosis, and my life and medication changes, my pain has dropped to 0-5, more days with 0.
My case is not all a bed of roses. I, of course, am currently fighting with workmen's comp. They covered me for a year and are currently saying that fibromyalgia is not work-related, but my doctor says it is. Workers? comp benefits change from state to state. Although lawyers are a pain in the ass, I am learning that they are somewhat useful for workers' comp. Hope This Helps
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Not What I Expected
Life is about change, but this wasn't the change I was expecting so soon.
At the time of my injury, I had been a critical care nurse for 17 years. About every three years there would be the "minor" back strain event, with the necessary paperwork filed, and a day off to recuperate. But on that fateful night came the straw that broke the camel's back.
That night, I transported an elderly patient for a chest x-ray who was about 4'10", around 250 lbs and, unknown to me, had a collapsible hip (replacement in the past). When the radiology tech and I helped the patient to stand for the x-ray, the leg collapsed and the patient dropped like a rock. She grabbed my shoulder on the way down and the rest is history. My L5-S1 disc area suffered a severe weight bearing event and has never been the same.
Post injury I followed all the rules: Employee Health, physical therapy, light duty for 14 months, two fill-in clinic positions, the whole State Workmans' Comp process with a final 31% permanent and stable injury, and, ultimately, medical separation from my particular nursing department. Despite the fact that I was able to demonstrate an ability to work full-time for six months in an affiliated clinic, this was only a "temporary" position. When the six months were over, and I had to vacate the position, I was not hired to any other job within the system, despite applying for 34 different jobs. All of those jobs would have fit my lifting limitations as determined by Employee Health.
At one of the clinic positions, when I left secondary to back pain, the manager "by mistake" told Human Resources that I had quit! So then my health benefits were terminated for about three months (unknown to me until my doctor sent me a bill!). That only cost me $1,500 dollars out of pocket. The Temporary Disability policy that I had paid into for 15 years never paid me a cent, because according to them, I was still capable of working. They wouldn't recognize that I truly had lost my job, secondary to an injury.
Now, I am technically "retired," receiving disability benefits, but they require proof of my disabled status every year, which is a pile of paperwork for me and my physician (who, fortunately is a great MD) and I always have to face the unknown "What will they say this year?" I am fortunate that even if the disability is nixed, I will still receive a retirement check, but it's only about one third of the benefit I have now.
Secondly, although my career has taken a big hit, I'm still in fairly good physical condition, although when you can only tolerate lifting about 25 pounds, and certain common motions of the spine cause pain, then retirement at age 50, has some drawbacks. I work about 10 hours a month with some community teaching and tutoring, but I've had to become the "house husband" and designated driver. I've gone through two rounds of "re-education" but to me, my calling is to be a nurse. I haven't given up applying for jobs, but nothing ever really comes of it. I accept this change in life, but I didn't expect it so soon. Called to be a Nurse
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You Give So Much
I was a nurse for 19 years. In the year 2000 I became permanently disabled due to an on-the-job injury. After several back injuries, all it took was an assist, helping move a patient from a bed to a stretcher and my spinal column gave out like an accordion. I broke seven discs in my back and five in my neck. Four surgeries and four years later I am permanently disabled.
My days are spent on so much pain medication that sometimes I don?t even know what day it is. I will forever have to endure the mental and physical barriers that have been put before me, simply because the hospital I worked for was too concerned about the bottom dollar to hire proper help and buy the proper equipment. I complained so many times about lack of lift equipment, until I was finally threatened with my job, which I ended up losing anyway.
It is a shame that when you are really given a calling to this field of nursing, and you give so much, you never realize that you can lose so much, too. I used proper body mechanics but a body is only capable of doing so much before it gives up. Today, I spend my time watching nursing programs instead of being able to do what I loved the best. Nurse
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Like a Three Ring Circus
I am an LPN who injured her back three months ago. I tried several times to go back to work but was not able to finish my work schedule. The first doctor I had thought I was mimicking symptoms of another nurse who was his patient and a friend of mine. Imagine the possibility of two people in the same profession, doing the exact same work, and having similar symptoms. It's almost preposterous. This doctor would not write me off from work to get the proper therapy. My back actually became much worse and hip involvement began.
I received a return-to-work offer from my employer by certified letter. It would have been a lovely offer if I could have performed my tasks. I live in another city and have worked under their traveler program, where they have paid my hotel and I have worked three 12-hour shifts on consecutive days and have then been home for four days. On my four days off, I home-schooled my children.
Now the problem I was going to have was that I would be spending three days in one city and four in another. My scheduled work days were Mon, Tues, Wed and that meant that I could only have therapy at home on Thurs and Fri. The work offer was to do three shifts from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm and they would make sure I was only on the floor for 10 hours because I would leave and go to therapy. The kicker was that I was not allowed to take my pain medication for the time at work. So, I would work 12 hours with no pain medicine and then have physical therapy on top of it. I received the "offer" on Saturday, giving me two days to respond by phone, three days to return to work, and seven days to sign and return the letter.
I called my work and explained that I needed more time to come back, that I had physical therapy and medical appointments that could not be canceled, and that it would be better for me to return to work the next week, depending on what the physicians had stated. I hung up with my employer and immediately called an attorney who has worked hard for me so far.
I still have not received any money from the Workman's Comp. The first doctor diagnosed me with a lumbar strain/sprain but the MRI report stated that I had a bulging disc at L5/S1 with mild to moderate foraminal narrowing. I was required to see a Workman's Comp doctor and he even stated that my radiculopathy was down to my right Achilles, that there was something wrong with my hip and I did not have the right diagnosis, and that I needed more studies, EMG and MRI. He also stated that I was not able to do regular or light duty work and that I was temporarily totally disabled at this time.
I had to see the Workman's Comp doctor before they would approve me a check. The appointment was originally set weeks away. I finally had to call my Senator's office. He has done more for me than most and got the appointment moved up.
This has been a nightmare. I was a very good nurse. I had purpose. My lawyer told me that I used to be an asset but was now just a liability to my work. I never thought that until they sent in this letter to the Board of Workman's Comp. It was half true and half false, in their favor of course. I had a physician tell me that burning pain going down my thigh was muscle damage and I asked him for an EMG and he told me, "Well, that's to test for nerve damage." I sit and wonder often, I am a nurse and know what those symptoms are. I wonder how many laypeople he told that to and they bought it.
My disc bulge was requested to be added to my Workman's Comp claim but was denied by some doctor who has never met me. Said that I was chronically obese and had a history of smoking in the past. This Workman's Comp is like a three ring circus. I have never seen such trickery. Now Just a Liability
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Changed Forever by Work Injury
I suffered an injury at work that changed my life forever. Other employees witnessed it. I filled out the appropriate paperwork for Employee Health. I went to ER immediately. My life was a living hell after that.
I had to be off for a while. I had every test: x-rays, CT, two MRI's, two spinal injections, injections to my knees, and most recently Gel-Shots (Simvisk). I was sent to the hospital's insurance company and was tested. They treated me and my family like criminals. I have written reports from my doctor and from some of his associates. I have three witnesses at the scene.
During the 18 months after, I went through false write-ups, harassment, discrimination, and mental and emotional despair!! They fired me once, and called a day or so later to say that I misunderstood, I was still an employee, someone had made a boo-boo that had to be corrected. They finally fired me with a false borderline HIPPA violation!
Now, they are fighting my unemployment after almost eight years of service. I'm going bankrupt and my marriage is suffering. I'm in a deep depression, and I hate the fact that people can get away with this! Bankrupt, Suffering, and Depressed
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Knee Injured, Look Elsewhere
I have been a nurse for 22 years in med-surg/oncology. Last year, attempts were being made to take a patient out of bed to a chair. The patient weighed 350 lbs and the MD insisted she be out of bed. I heard a yell for help, went into the room, and was first to get to her. I attempted to support her knee from buckling, as she was barely able to stand, and suggested we lower her to the floor.
The patient suddenly buckled and her knee rammed into my knee. I have had much difficulty with walking for the last year and need surgery next month to determine the cause of the pain-MRI and x-rays are negative. Another nurse also got hurt but did not report it.
I have been given jobs cleaning out closets and frequent suggestions to possibly look elsewhere for work. At the moment, there is no mention of being let go, but I know they do not know what to do with me.
As your page stated, the brain can still work. I am returning to school for a master's in education but that still does not solve the problem. I keep waiting to be told that there is no use for me. My back was not injured, but the knee is just as important with walking and weight bearing and is another injury we obtain in doing our hard work. Brain Still Works
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In Other Words, It Was All Our Fault
I had my final back injury in 2001 after working in Critical Care for 13 plus years. I was unaware that I was day-by-day experiencing what would finally become a permanent injury and disability. All those little back strains that we thought were a part of being an active nurse. When we did report an injury, immediately we were told that we just must not be lifting correctly, not using proper body mechanics. In other words, it was all our fault.
Then, after working an 8 or 12 hour shift, you were sent to ER to wait 6 to 8 hours before being seen, most times released to return to work the next day after getting 2 to 3 hours sleep. Many injuries went unreported and I'm sure that has not changed even to this day.
It makes me angry that my back problem could have been prevented, and even more so, that I am having to fight to prove my disability and what it is worth in dollar form. I can't believe that California turned down a bill for "zero lifting" and that I didn't even know about it until now. Kinda late for me but I hope that it helps other nurses.
I am sad, depressed, and angry that I am in such chronic pain. I have been stripped of my life, health, profession, and, most of all, my belief in others and in myself. I have been a nurse for 30 plus years and it is extremely difficult to be on this side of the game. It embarasses and angers me that I have to ask and fight to be compensated for my injury. There is no adequate compensation for what you lose with a permanent injury. So Sad in Southern California
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Cervical Disc Herniation Gave New Direction
To all those nurses who have suffered from back injuries: There is some hope, although it may be too late for some of you.
I am actually not a nurse but a physical therapist who sustained a cervical disc herniation which caused me to take a serious look at my ability to continue to lift patients. After 20 years as a PT, I did not want to leave my profession. I was fortunate to accept a position on our Injury Prevention Team which trains staff to lift properly using mechanical lifting devices. Our facility has portable and ceiling mounted lifting equipment and is moving toward coverage in all primary nursing units as well as ancillary services.
My current job is to teach all staff, not just nursing, how to prevent the injuries most of you share and educates staff on the impact of an injury. I feel blessed to work for an organization that is looking to the future and is obviously ahead of the game in providing the equipment. There are facilities like this out there. Do your best to find one now. A good place to start looking is the equipment companies like Liko and Guldmann where the vendors may be willing to tell you who is currently purchasing lifting equipment.
Consider working with your facility to develop a no lifting policy. Your education and skills as a healthcare professional can be put to good use in ways that will keep you employed and help to keep your friends and co-workers employed for years to come! Although it may seem that all is grim, there is some light at the end of the tunnel and it takes all of us to make the difference. Now on Injury Prevention Team
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Nurse's Aide Plans Nursing School
I work as a nurse's aide in a small, 60 bed, facility. We have power lifters, but some employees don't feel the need to use them. I feel it is very, very important to use them, as I am going into nursing school. However, our facility has ripped and worn lift seats, so we are basically required to manually lift.
My neck has hurt for the past two weeks, and my upper and lower back have started to hurt. Now, I have a doctor's appointment and am not very anxious to see what he has to say. Lifting and Hurting
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350 Pounds - Attempted to Support Her
I have been a nurse for 22 years, in med-surg/oncology. Last year a patient who weighed 350 lbs had doctor's orders to be out of bed. During an attempt to take her out of bed to a chair, I heard a yell for help and went into the room, and was first to get to her. I attempted to support her knee from buckling, as she was barely able to stand, and suggested we lower her to the floor. The patient suddenly buckled and her knee rammed into my knee.
I have had much difficulty with walking for the last year and need surgery next month to determine the cause of the pain. MRI and x-rays are negative. Another nurse also got hurt but did not report it.
I have been given jobs to clean out closets, and frequent suggestions to possibly look elsewhere for work. At the moment, there is no mention of being let go but I know they do not know what to do with me. As your webpage stated, the brain can still work.
I am returning to school for a master's in education but that still does not solve the problem. I keep waiting to be told that there is no use for me. My back was not injured, but the knee is just as important with walking and weight bearing and is another injury we obtain in doing our hard work. Waiting To Be Told
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Disposable ICU Nurse
"After 20 years of ICU nursing experience, I sustained a back injury lifting a patient. I was out of work on workers' comp three times in two years until my doctor finally gave me permanent lifting and work restrictions. The hospital terminated me from my position in ICU and did not offer me any other full-time work.
"I was very close to being vested but now I have lost all my retirement money. They said unless I was unable to do any gainful occupation, that I was not considered totally disabled, which would have made me vested upon termination. The problem is, because of my back injury, I can't earn anywhere near what I was earning before.
"The loss of my career as an ICU nurse was quite devastating emotionally and financially. I have gone into school nursing instead with a considerable pay cut. Some school districts would not hire me because of my work restrictions." Was Close to Being Vested
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Back at the Bedside
I am a nurse who has been working in critical care for 23 years and I have degenerative disc disease. I was out of work for 6 weeks this summer with no pay.
Now I'm back at the bedside trying to get staff and management to implement the ?50-50-50 rule? for 3 nurses lifting a 150-pound patient. This never happens and my coworkers think I'm a pain. My bosses are probably hoping I'll leave soon so they won't have to hear this anymore. Trying to Get Help Lifting
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Injured Lifting, Filed Claim, Got Fired
I am amazed that the USA still treats nurses as manual lifts!! I have been proposing mechanical lifts since 1985 when I should have left bedside nursing.
I am now a grim statistic. I injured my spine after lifting a client but I kept working. I got hurt again in my shoulder and spine, filed a claim, and got fired. I had shoulder surgery and went into case management.
I now have repetitive stress injury in my wrists, shoulder and spine. Regretably, I went to hell and back and lost everything but my life. Thank God I still have my most precious asset, life. I am on permanent disability now, which I think was preventable.
I have survived and would like to know how to help in the war on "nurse terrorisism" called needless injuries. Disabled Nurse Survivor
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Tried to Catch Her
I was (no, dammit! AM) an ICU nurse.
Over the last 25 years of bedside nursing, I had had numerous minor back injuries, never needing to take more than a week off work. Then, last August, as I was trying to get a patient back into bed, she pitched forward. To keep her from hitting the floor face-first, I tried to "catch" her.
Instant agony!! X-rays and MRI are all normal, but bending just the least bit forward kills me ~ and let's not even talk about lifting! I did 6 months PT and lumbar injections, to no avail. I cannot sit, stand, or walk for more than 15 minutes without pain. California Workmen's Comp. declared me 30% disabled, and has written me off with a check for $400 every 2 weeks (and that will only continue for one year!).
My hospital employee health nurse told me that, next time, I should just let the patient fall. (!!!)
When I tried to apply for a case management job, they told me they were unable to train me since I had no experience in that field. I never once had a call or note from management asking how I was doing, etc. I was TOTALLY written off. The H*** with them! Written Off ICU Nurse
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Didn't Ask for This
I am still fighting with workers' comp insurance. I have had to pay out of my own pocket to see the orthopedic doctor. He recommended that I tough out the pain for at least the next two, maybe three, years and go back to see him using any insurance that I may have at the time. He said that at that time he will take the stem cells from my body and then inject them into my two damaged discs and try to repair them. In the meantime, he has examined me and put into dictation that I do have permanent parital disability from this back injury. He says that I am 30-40% disabled, but without a copy of my Physical Capacities Evaluation he couldn't say for sure. So I have another appointment with him next month and I have given him a copy of my PCE from WC ins. so that he can look at it. He said that he will help me as much as he can.
In the meantime, my doctor through WC is a complete jerk. He refuses to do anything for me because I am not physically fit and because I am too young in his opinion. He says that when I am 28 or 30 that it would be more appropriate. I told him, "So you want to wait until I want to have a baby in order to do anything?" He just restates that there is nothing that he is able to do, but he wants me to continue to see my pain consultant doctor.
The pain doctor says that I do need something done, preferably before I have children. He is also the only doctor who has prescribed me medications. Because of my injury, I have constant pain and daily lumbar muscle spasms that just won't go away. WC, on the other hand, will not approve the medications anymore from the pain doctor because WC is closing my case and the pain doctor is not my attending physician.
I have contacted my attending WC doctor several times, to have him fill out WC's palliative care forms correctly, and he still can't seem to do so correctly. I have gone to the clinic and confronted him, which he didn't like; I guess that was a bad plan I had. I asked him to refill my Ibuprofen and Flexeril prescriptions. He says, "Well, I won't refill narcotics for you." I informed him I HAVE NEVER TAKEN NARCOTICS FOR THIS SINCE I HAVE BEEN INJURED!! He then refilled the Flexeril once and said I could take Ibuprofen over the counter. I told him why should I pay for the medication when I didn't ask for this to happen to me in the first place. He just shrugged his shoulders and walked off. I asked to see if I can get a new doctor and was told that I couldn't because my case is closed and he has agreed to do my palliative care. He really sucks as a doctor. He really could care less at what happens to me. My lawyer is still trying to find something that he can do to resolve this.
It just seems that they want to drag this on to the point that you are so exhausted and you are no longer able to fight. They offered me $12,000 for my back injury, and then they appealed the decision. Personally, that does not pay for all of the pain and suffering, and humiliation, I have suffered from this. My work has been horrible to me. I finally gave my notice because I could no longer take the treatment from them.
I wish there was something I could do about the fact that they had me working on the floor for the first two months that I was injured. My lawyer says that it would be tough because I worked it. I told him what was I supposed to do, when they threaten you with your job, and you're new to the game, and don't know how it works. I am just so frustrated.
Then my lawyer told me that as I get older, if my back gets worse, I will have to go through all of this again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I never did anything to deserve this. - Young Disabled CNA
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I Was Proud to be a Nurse
I, too, have a cumulative back injury. I worked 12-hour nights on a busy med/surg unit. We were always short-staffed and always made do, no matter what the patient acuity level was. For nighttime admissions, we often had to transfer patients and belongings to another floor, pushing beds, etc. We retrieved new beds from storage and cleaned and sanitized the rooms?at night, there are no cleaning or orderly personnel. Funny how I didn't get paid, or the recognition, for being a nurse, orderly, room cleaner!
I had many back aches from the job, from being tired and on my feet speed-walking for 12-hour shifts! I never took a day out for this. Advil helped a lot. The sad thing about all this is, I was getting ready for work and reached up, standing on my toes, to close a top window. And that's all it took the lightening struck! I was then on the floor with the most horrible pain, felt like lightening. I did not go to work and haven't been back since.
Since this did not occur on the job, it does not qualify for workmen?s comp. The neurosurgeon (who has "seen what you nurses do") stated that my back was an ongoing thing and that the window was the breaking point. Sure was!!
I'm to have my second spinal surgery next week. I've been out of work for a year. This whole back problem has changed my life, my family, my finances, and my nursing career that I worked so hard for. The hospital I worked for shut me out the door. My manager, as well as my fellow peers, never called me, never sent a card, NOTHING!! I was in my hospital for the first surgery and nobody came to see me.
Working for them, I did overtime, changed hours, came in early and left late so many times and, now, since I can't "lift" and tow my weight, I'm out. It's like being over-used, abused, and discarded. Time and resources cannot be wasted on something (a nurse) that is not "100%."
Human resources would call on occasion to find out when I would be back. You have to be ?100% with an MD note." "Light duty" was not available." It was suggested several times that I get "another type of employment." My neurosurgeon states that I won't ever go back to floor nursing, that I "have to find something else." Great, but what? There are no resources or advocates to help you with this. I'm at odds to find another job with the same pay that I don't have to "lift" anything. I would love some suggestions regarding a new type of no-lift job for an injured nurse.
I do not have a lawyer. Never thought I could use one. If it was me against the hospital, they would squish me like a bug! Workman's Comp was not for me, only short-term and long-term insurance which is giving me a hard time. They told me to file for Social Security Disability and we all know how long that takes and most get refused. Meanwhile, I've had to sell my $40,000 car because of payments. Without more education and/or training (that I'll have to pay for), other medical field jobs are hard to come by and pay less than 1/2 my previous pay.
In nursing school, I think we spent more time on making a bed correctly than on "back" training. Now, whenever I see someone not lifting properly (even at the grocery store) I tell them to "take care of your back" for they have no idea what an impact an injury can be.
I was proud to be a nurse. Now this whole mess depresses me. I would love some feedback from someone who has gone before me. I would love some type of help regarding getting a job, what options there are, etc. I'm posting my story in case it might help somehow. - Find Something Else
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Who Will Care for the Nurses??
"Please use my story anytime-maybe it will help someone..."
This is my story. I've been a registered nurse for over 25 years holding certification in psychiatric and mental health nursing. For the past several years, I worked night shift in an acute care facility with psychiatric and older adult patients. There was usually one technician on each unit to assist with the patients. We were extremely busy, often with crisis admissions at night, as this was the way to best access managed care by being an emergency admission at night.
My injury occurred while assisting the technician pull up an obese, agitated, Alzheimer bed patient, in order to give her medications. The technician did not pull up the patient on the count of three. I had reviewed with the technician the procedure of lifting on the count of three, but it appears there was some type of language miscommunication.
During these times for cost containment, there was no orientation for nurses or technicians other than on the unit by the staff. The old see one, do one, teach one served as orientation. There were no lifts for patients and the bed was in one position because it was broken.
Initially, I was diagnosed with a thoracic-lumbar sprain/strain by the house physician and kept working while taking NSAID's and using heat. My prognosis was good. After working for a week, I leaned over to change my infant's diaper and locked up. I went to the emergency room and received muscle relaxers. I was then out of work for six months, during which I saw workman's comp doctors and attended physical therapy. I improved but never completely.
I returned to work part-time when workman's comp cut me off after an independent medical exam said I was cured. I quickly decompensated and had to return to physical therapy and later switch to a nursing supervisor position as I could no longer lift, carry, or restrain patients. I now was having nerve involvement. This began the long battle with workman?s compensation.
After 8 years of part-time work, and struggles with physical therapy, I became totally disabled in March of 2002. During these years I have had recurrent exacerbations, with diminished abilities after each. My employer was willing to allow me to stay on as a part-time night supervisor during this time. But, as the administration changed, and changes for the worse were made, I was unable to leave and seek employment elsewhere.
No one can use a nurse unable to meet the job requirements of lifting, restraining, etc. Supervision positions without lifting were scare as supervisors now had to work on the nursing units as well as act as supervisors. Other typical positions for nurses with back injuries were also hard to come by. Basically, any nurse position requires the ability to sit, stand, bend, lift, etc., none of which I can do without pain.
Presently, I am unable to lift five pounds and have daily pain. I am limited in my life with my husband and children. I have pain everyday, though it varies in intensity. Such common things as brushing your teeth or your child's hair can be extremely painful. I have become dependent on others to tie my shoes, my nine-year-old shaves my legs, and my fifteen-year-old son has become my back. He has become very independent in shopping, etc. This also puts a strain on your marriage as even relations with your husband can be extremely painful afterwards and wish to be avoided.
My family and I have been videotaped and accused of every trick in the book by workman's comp lawyers. Sometimes you feel useless. But I keep going with the bare necessities as a type of physical therapy and I refuse to just lie around.
This also puts a terrible strain on your finances. It is amazing how all the insurance companies can?t wait to sign you up for coverage. But, when the crisis hits, they try to reject you. I keep being told that perseverance is the only way to have success. But as you go bankrupt and fear losing your house, husband, and family, and see people on websites being sent money to get them out of bankruptcy, you wonder if there isn't some sort of help available.
I was a nurse and gave my all for my patients. As nurses, we give up meals and bathroom breaks, do mandated overtime, and work conditions no other professional or union would tolerate ? all to give the best nursing care possible, no matter what the cutbacks, because we care as nurses. But when you are injured, no one seems to care. It is a system based on money, bottom line. I guess, as a nurse who writes CAREplans, it is hard to accept when no one seems to care.
Now, I have to pay a lawyer to continue to win my workman?s comp case. I?ve applied for social security disability and was, as predicted, denied my first attempt. This is because nothing is seen on the MRI/x-ray but this is muscle with nerve impingement. And, everyone has degeneration of their spine with aging, but mine is decades ahead of my chronological age in my injured areas. So, now a lawyer must file an appeal and wait another year. My employer's long-term disability insurance company is dragging their feet, trying to deny me, or wait for financial ruin to set in and try to force you back to work.
I have learned the hard way that nurses have to be prepared. Don?t depend on your employer for your disability insurance. Nurses must compare policies against each other and look for loopholes or reasons that the insurance will not pay. There is also a place in need of donations to assist nurses (short term) in time of severe crisis. Nurses House, a national fund for nurses in need since 1922, is located at www.nurseshouse.org.
The Nurses House budget is small and you must be living practically on the streets to be considered. I hope I don't have to go that far. Please help publicize Nurses House as a worthwhile charity for nurses to donate money to help other nurses. If, and when, I get back on my feet, I will make them my charity of choice.
Nurses must also work together to identify and develop a nursing careplan, so to speak, to address these issues. These are not isolated incidents. Nurses need access to disability insurance, lifting equipment, adequate training, adequate trained staffing, nurse-oriented lawyers, and referral sources. I hope any of my experience can help someone else, and, if anyone can help me, before I lose everything, that would be nice, too. - Gave My All
"Who Will Care for the Nurses?" Injured Nurse Story #3. In William Charney and Anne Hudson (editors) Back Injury among Healthcare Workers: Causes, Solutions, and Impacts. CRC Press/Lewis Publishers. Boca Raton, FL, 2003. 39-40.
I have been a Medical/Surgical nurse for the past 16 years. As a front-line nurse manager, my shifts lasted 12 to 16 hours a day. One day I went to work and went into a room to help another staff member pull up a 400-pound lady, which we had done the previous two days without incidence. We didn't know this lady started physical therapy and was tired, so when we pulled her up in bed we felt the "pain of a lifetime."
The pain started in the middle T/4 to T/6 area. I rested the last four hours of my shift and went home. Overnight, I felt numbness down my left bicep that progressed to my left fingers. I tried to work the next day but couldn't stand the pain, so I went to the ER. A nurse practitioner evaluated me and had a trauma set of x-rays done. All seemed to be normal and I was diagnosed with cervical pain and a thoracic strain.
Two days later, I went to Occupational Health and was seen by a physician's assistant, even though I requested an MD or specialist due to the extreme muscle pain I had. The PA stated my spine was now curved to the left and that she had remarkable outcomes with a chiropractor friend doing manipulation. I stated I didn't have any experience with this type of injury and was concerned that I needed a neurosurgeon. The PA decided she was right and refused the specialist and made the chiropractor appointment for me.
I went to the chiropractor who did three adjustments which increased the pain I was having. I reported my neck was starting to stick to the left and the PA had me do a lift test of 20 pounds overhead. Needless to say, that was "the straw that broke my neck." I severely deteriorated from that point and the PA didn't listen to me. The PA finally gave in and sent me to a surgeon who "knew" I had a cervical disc issue and I had immediate neurosurgery on my spine the next day.
I would have never dreamed that one day I would go to work and face the possibility of never walking or feeling the ground below my feet again. To this day, I cannot feel my hands or the lower one-half of my body and I catheterize myself six to eight times a day. My career is over since I cannot lift more than 10 pounds. You can go to all the lifting education that is offered, but we can't control all the variables of our patients. Nursing Career is Over
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I dedicated my life to Med/Surg nursing and taking care of patients. I lifted smart and always found help. One evening I went in to lift a 400 pound lady with another nurse. We had lifted her many times and she would push up with her feet. This time she didn't help and both of us had strained trapezius muscles per the ER x-rays.
What no one knew is that my cervical spine had been injured and the radiologist forewent a CAT scan. The workers' comp physician assistant sent me to a chiropractor for three weeks and then did a lift test of 20 pounds overhead which blew my C5-6 discs and pushed my spinal cord between the vertebrae.
For one week the workers' comp system told me the numbness below my waist and racing heart rate was all in my head. I had a colleague and neurosurgeon order an MRI which revealed a herniated nucleus pulposus and hot cord that was definitely an impending paraplegia. I was in surgery that day. I beg for a law that makes it mandatory to investigate and rule out such devastating spinal cord injury.
If lifting 20 pounds at 20 inches away from the body gives 400 pounds of compressive force, pulling 400 pounds should be considered equal to a roll over trauma patient.
I hope this helps some nurse out in practice be aware of such devastating paralysis that may be in their future. It ruins careers, families, and shortens your life. Almost Got Paralyzed
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I was working in ICU. My patient was given transfer orders to go to Telemetry. Three nurses put my 900-pound patient into the bariatric wheelchair, and hung an oxygen tank on the back of the chair as there was no tank holder mounted on the chair. They stuffed four hard charts into the back of the wheelchair pocket and intimidated me into moving the patient by myself to the Telemetry floor. I had to force the wheelchair up into the elevator because the elevator would not line up flush with the floor.
Prior to leaving ICU with the patient, I paged the Nursing Supervisor and stated that pushing a patient who weighed over 900 pounds was too much for one person. I was told that since I was the agency nurse, I was to do as the Charge Nurse instructed me to do.
I injured my back from moving that 900-pound patient and have been in constant pain for the past four years from that single move. I initially stated I wouldn't move the patient without assistance, because of personal physical safety issues.
My agency did not back me up and instructed me to "just do as I was told." I definitely felt that this was a deliberate act of bullying at work because it took four nurses to bring this same patient back to the ICU five hours later. Constant Pain, RN
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I'm a nurse and have a work comp claim for a back injury at work. The MRI report said a disc problem, but the work comp doctor wrote lumbar strain.
They're letting me work with 10 pounds lift restriction, but they could change their mind any time. They seem to want to put you in a position where you'll break again.
The only way you can "win" is to get all broken up again, or decide to sell things off and live a different life style.
I got turned down at interviews so many times, that is when I got depressed.
Rejected Nurse, RN
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I have been a certified orthopaedic nurse for about 19 years and working in general med/surg the rest of my 30 years as a nurse.
This past January I was having back pain which I thought was my extra long transverse process at L4 or L5 which rubs on my pelvis and occasionally causes pain. I did not have any specific incident that started the pain. I did another MRI and found that I have annular tears in two of my lumbar discs. I am no longer allowed to lift more than 35 pounds ever.
My hospital requires that nurses be able to lift 75 pounds which I think is excessive. We do have lift equipment in the hospital but it is usually only used for bariatric patients. It might take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour to find all the pieces to get a patient lifted. That's why it's only used for bariatric patients.
Currently, I am working in so many departments in the hospital that it's hard to keep all my hats balanced. I have not been working in my certified field however. All this makes me sad, depressed, angry, some times all at the same time.
I also worry about my colleagues who might have the same problem as me. I have one who hurt her neck and has been off work for more than 8 months but is not on any workers' comp program. No wonder there's a nursing shortage. If we're not injured, we don't want to be and so leave the field. Sad, Depressed, and Angry
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I'm an RN with eight herniated discs. I've been trying to wean myself off of pain meds and try to go back to work. I am trying to get my nursing license in my new state. I moved after the bank foreclosed and I lost my house. After getting hurt, the worker's comp insurance company was fighting me and refused to pay. Judge after judge found in my favor and ordered them to pay, but they kept appealing and appealing and I lost my house. Nice, huh?
I'm going before the nursing board to try to get my nursing license in my new state. They don't want to give it to me because my doctor told them I'm depressed (I'M NOT DEPRESSED!!) and now they think I've committed fraud on my application since I didn't mention having a mental disability, since the doctor said I'm depressed, but I'M NOT DEPRESSED.
So, I'm going to fight for my life, and try to get licensed in my new state because I desperately want to try to go back to work, somehow, please God!! I'm going stir crazy just sitting watching TV. I can't walk or stand for more than five minutes or so. But there's gotta be some kind of desk job I can do. My brain is fine, it's my back that's not. And, at 52, I feel like I'm just too young to give up on life because I can't walk or stand.
The things we take for granted are mind-boggling, aren't they? I never realized how important mobility was... Too Young to Give Up
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I can't wait for workers' compensation and strangers to be out of my life. I will be going to their doctor next Wednesday. I have an under 20 lb lifting limit and other restrictions. My job said I can't come back unless I can do 100%. Their insurance company has tried every tactic to send me back to work despite my limitations.
I know I will always have pain but with God's help and new direction, I'll be fine. I'm doing exercises and stretches daily to be as flexible as I can. I also have severe sciatic nerve damage and there are other things but I have to move on.
When I see their doctor on Wednesday I am going to ask for a mental health referral to further help me heal. The embarrassment, humiliation, and stress was and is caused by my job and their insurance company. I expect justice for that. I know from what others have gone through that it is not always given.
I told my husband I have one back and I don't intend on letting them break it by what they are trying to accomplish. Embarrassed, Humiliated, and Stressed
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Returning to work after a two week vacation, I soon found that my facility was working the floor with three LNA's versus previously four. I found the lifting, repositioning, and transferring with the LNA's becoming very taxing, between trying to administer medications, change dressings, and assess residents.
My right leg was becoming very painful. Being an LPN, I waited until I could barely walk, going to the doctor two or three weeks later. I was told it could be muscle strain in the calf, was given Vicodin, and was told to take Motrin. I suffered another month and went to the ER. With a B/P of 200/110 I was checked for a DVT which was negative.
When they asked if I had ever had back pain, I said, "Just about always after work." X-rays of my lower back were taken. The doctor said it looks like a slipped disc. I followed up with an orthopedic doctor the next week. MRI showed spinal stenosis secondary to two disc protrusions.
I notified my employer when the doctor took me out of work about two and a half months ago. My employer does not feel my spine injury was caused from heavy lifting, pulling, bending and stress from work. Claim denied!! My employer asked me if I pick up my grandaughter. Worker's compensation--DENIED. I am now waiting for a hearing to go before the labor board. All prayers will be greatly apprecited. I am in horrible pain, but find much relief with a back brace. LPN in Horrible Pain
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For as long as I can remember I was putting on bandaids, first on my dolls and on very patient pets. By the age of 16, I was working as a nursing assistant. My next step was nursing school, graduating, and going to work in ICU, specializing in coronary care. I moved on to SICU at a major university hospital caring for solid organ transplant patients.
My nightmare began when I had a patient who weighed over 500 lbs with complications from a gastric bypass. She was not comfortable lying down or sitting up in a chair, but was able to transfer herself with some assistance. So, I spent 10 hours of a 12-hour shift assisting this patient to transfer back and forth between bed to chair and back to bed again. I finally got her settled into bed but she needed to be pulled up. With the assistance of my aide, a lift sheet, and putting the bed into reverse Trendelenberg (head down position), I told the patient on the count of three to push herself up with her feet. However, she was unable to push, and, with my attempt to pull her up the bed, I had sudden severe pain radiating down my buttocks and leg. I have never done bedside care again.
Initially, my employer had me stuffing envelopes. I thought I am an ICU nurse; there must be something else I can do besides stuff envelopes. I became proactive in my own return to work. I went to the nursing education department and offered to teach critical care courses and did that for several months. Then I was asked to assist in developing a program for volunteer sitters to sit with patients at high risk for self injury. I developed the plan, scheduled and trained over 100 volunteers, and the program was implemented. I thought for sure I had secured a position for myself.
Then, settlement time came. We did settle, but part of the hospital's settlement agreement was that I resign and I would not be allowed to work in that health care system ever again. Good thing that my medical was open-ended. I have now had three back surgeries, the last being an anterior posterior fusion in 2000. I also have scoliosis.
Life after surgery number three was better. I could walk upright, no longer needed my cane, and was able to work as a telephone triage nurse, though I still require daily medication to keep at somewhat of a functioning level. The biggest problem occurs when I get a flare-up of my symptoms and miss time from work. Employers become frustrated because of the missed time. Then of course comes the counseling. I have had jobs tell me that they cannot accommodate my restrictions. Now remember, I do telephone triage. I think the phone does weigh less then 5 lbs. Of course I am not eligible for disability due to my continuing to work while I am feeling well. My income also puts me out of the running for assistance of any source.
I do inform my employers of my restrictions before hire. I give documentation of my medical concerns and, of course, they always say they understand, until, of course, the reality of my back problems set in. I do not take my pain medication during the day as this would not be safe practice. However, my pain level is always at a 7-8 level. I started a new job doing telephone triage in an ob/gyn clinic and I love my new job.
However, the usual downward spiral seems to be occurring again. I am now having symptoms of nerve root pressure again at the L3-L4 level just above my fusion. Today I got the dreaded call, "Hello, this is the clinic manager. Could you come down and meet with me and your manager?? Three guesses what they wanted to talk about and the first two don't count. The dreaded discussion regarding your attendance and missed time from work. I am not eligible for time off under the Family Medical Leave Act until I have been there for more than one year, in the non-union clinic.
I am again facing the fear of loss of employment, loss of income, fear of surgery, and loss of financial security. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated and hearing from those who have faced this same thing would help me get through this. I have no other source of income and unfortunately have had to use any retirement savings to cover other times when I was out of work. Old nurses never die. They just lose their back bone. Frustrated Back-Injured Nurse
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I am sitting here debating whether or not to tell my story or words of encouragement. I have read many of the other stories and cried. I feel their pain and want to reach out.
I noticed a lot of the stories had unremarkable MRI/CT scans and were diagnosed with lumbar/thoracic strains. My story also started out that way. I also had unbearable pain. Lucky for me I had a physical therapist who understood chronic pain disease involving the fascia system. I finally sought my second opinion and received a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. After a year of physical therapy, a job change, and good medications, I can say my symptoms are resolving.
I am not here to suggest all of what I read is related to fibromyalgia, but myofascial pain and fibromyalgia are very similar. There is an awesome web site www.fibrohugs.com. Go under "links." Scroll down to the "Top Ten Links." Click on "CFS & FM Good Doctor List." Scroll down and find your city or country. This will bring you a list of doctors who deal with chronic myofascial pain. Some of them have websites. It is worth checking out. Before my diagnosis, my pain was rated 7-8. After my fibromyalgia diagnosis, and my life and medication changes, my pain has dropped to 0-5, more days with 0.
My case is not all a bed of roses. I, of course, am currently fighting with workmen's comp. They covered me for a year and are currently saying that fibromyalgia is not work-related, but my doctor says it is. Workers? comp benefits change from state to state. Although lawyers are a pain in the ass, I am learning that they are somewhat useful for workers' comp. Hope This Helps
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Life is about change, but this wasn't the change I was expecting so soon.
At the time of my injury, I had been a critical care nurse for 17 years. About every three years there would be the "minor" back strain event, with the necessary paperwork filed, and a day off to recuperate. But on that fateful night came the straw that broke the camel's back.
That night, I transported an elderly patient for a chest x-ray who was about 4'10", around 250 lbs and, unknown to me, had a collapsible hip (replacement in the past). When the radiology tech and I helped the patient to stand for the x-ray, the leg collapsed and the patient dropped like a rock. She grabbed my shoulder on the way down and the rest is history. My L5-S1 disc area suffered a severe weight bearing event and has never been the same.
Post injury I followed all the rules: Employee Health, physical therapy, light duty for 14 months, two fill-in clinic positions, the whole State Workmans' Comp process with a final 31% permanent and stable injury, and, ultimately, medical separation from my particular nursing department. Despite the fact that I was able to demonstrate an ability to work full-time for six months in an affiliated clinic, this was only a "temporary" position. When the six months were over, and I had to vacate the position, I was not hired to any other job within the system, despite applying for 34 different jobs. All of those jobs would have fit my lifting limitations as determined by Employee Health.
At one of the clinic positions, when I left secondary to back pain, the manager "by mistake" told Human Resources that I had quit! So then my health benefits were terminated for about three months (unknown to me until my doctor sent me a bill!). That only cost me $1,500 dollars out of pocket. The Temporary Disability policy that I had paid into for 15 years never paid me a cent, because according to them, I was still capable of working. They wouldn't recognize that I truly had lost my job, secondary to an injury.
Now, I am technically "retired," receiving disability benefits, but they require proof of my disabled status every year, which is a pile of paperwork for me and my physician (who, fortunately is a great MD) and I always have to face the unknown "What will they say this year?" I am fortunate that even if the disability is nixed, I will still receive a retirement check, but it's only about one third of the benefit I have now.
Secondly, although my career has taken a big hit, I'm still in fairly good physical condition, although when you can only tolerate lifting about 25 pounds, and certain common motions of the spine cause pain, then retirement at age 50, has some drawbacks. I work about 10 hours a month with some community teaching and tutoring, but I've had to become the "house husband" and designated driver. I've gone through two rounds of "re-education" but to me, my calling is to be a nurse. I haven't given up applying for jobs, but nothing ever really comes of it. I accept this change in life, but I didn't expect it so soon. Called to be a Nurse
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I was a nurse for 19 years. In the year 2000 I became permanently disabled due to an on-the-job injury. After several back injuries, all it took was an assist, helping move a patient from a bed to a stretcher and my spinal column gave out like an accordion. I broke seven discs in my back and five in my neck. Four surgeries and four years later I am permanently disabled.
My days are spent on so much pain medication that sometimes I don?t even know what day it is. I will forever have to endure the mental and physical barriers that have been put before me, simply because the hospital I worked for was too concerned about the bottom dollar to hire proper help and buy the proper equipment. I complained so many times about lack of lift equipment, until I was finally threatened with my job, which I ended up losing anyway.
It is a shame that when you are really given a calling to this field of nursing, and you give so much, you never realize that you can lose so much, too. I used proper body mechanics but a body is only capable of doing so much before it gives up. Today, I spend my time watching nursing programs instead of being able to do what I loved the best. Nurse
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I am an LPN who injured her back three months ago. I tried several times to go back to work but was not able to finish my work schedule. The first doctor I had thought I was mimicking symptoms of another nurse who was his patient and a friend of mine. Imagine the possibility of two people in the same profession, doing the exact same work, and having similar symptoms. It's almost preposterous. This doctor would not write me off from work to get the proper therapy. My back actually became much worse and hip involvement began.
I received a return-to-work offer from my employer by certified letter. It would have been a lovely offer if I could have performed my tasks. I live in another city and have worked under their traveler program, where they have paid my hotel and I have worked three 12-hour shifts on consecutive days and have then been home for four days. On my four days off, I home-schooled my children.
Now the problem I was going to have was that I would be spending three days in one city and four in another. My scheduled work days were Mon, Tues, Wed and that meant that I could only have therapy at home on Thurs and Fri. The work offer was to do three shifts from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm and they would make sure I was only on the floor for 10 hours because I would leave and go to therapy. The kicker was that I was not allowed to take my pain medication for the time at work. So, I would work 12 hours with no pain medicine and then have physical therapy on top of it. I received the "offer" on Saturday, giving me two days to respond by phone, three days to return to work, and seven days to sign and return the letter.
I called my work and explained that I needed more time to come back, that I had physical therapy and medical appointments that could not be canceled, and that it would be better for me to return to work the next week, depending on what the physicians had stated. I hung up with my employer and immediately called an attorney who has worked hard for me so far.
I still have not received any money from the Workman's Comp. The first doctor diagnosed me with a lumbar strain/sprain but the MRI report stated that I had a bulging disc at L5/S1 with mild to moderate foraminal narrowing. I was required to see a Workman's Comp doctor and he even stated that my radiculopathy was down to my right Achilles, that there was something wrong with my hip and I did not have the right diagnosis, and that I needed more studies, EMG and MRI. He also stated that I was not able to do regular or light duty work and that I was temporarily totally disabled at this time.
I had to see the Workman's Comp doctor before they would approve me a check. The appointment was originally set weeks away. I finally had to call my Senator's office. He has done more for me than most and got the appointment moved up.
This has been a nightmare. I was a very good nurse. I had purpose. My lawyer told me that I used to be an asset but was now just a liability to my work. I never thought that until they sent in this letter to the Board of Workman's Comp. It was half true and half false, in their favor of course. I had a physician tell me that burning pain going down my thigh was muscle damage and I asked him for an EMG and he told me, "Well, that's to test for nerve damage." I sit and wonder often, I am a nurse and know what those symptoms are. I wonder how many laypeople he told that to and they bought it.
My disc bulge was requested to be added to my Workman's Comp claim but was denied by some doctor who has never met me. Said that I was chronically obese and had a history of smoking in the past. This Workman's Comp is like a three ring circus. I have never seen such trickery. Now Just a Liability
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I suffered an injury at work that changed my life forever. Other employees witnessed it. I filled out the appropriate paperwork for Employee Health. I went to ER immediately. My life was a living hell after that.
I had to be off for a while. I had every test: x-rays, CT, two MRI's, two spinal injections, injections to my knees, and most recently Gel-Shots (Simvisk). I was sent to the hospital's insurance company and was tested. They treated me and my family like criminals. I have written reports from my doctor and from some of his associates. I have three witnesses at the scene.
During the 18 months after, I went through false write-ups, harassment, discrimination, and mental and emotional despair!! They fired me once, and called a day or so later to say that I misunderstood, I was still an employee, someone had made a boo-boo that had to be corrected. They finally fired me with a false borderline HIPPA violation!
Now, they are fighting my unemployment after almost eight years of service. I'm going bankrupt and my marriage is suffering. I'm in a deep depression, and I hate the fact that people can get away with this! Bankrupt, Suffering, and Depressed
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I have been a nurse for 22 years in med-surg/oncology. Last year, attempts were being made to take a patient out of bed to a chair. The patient weighed 350 lbs and the MD insisted she be out of bed. I heard a yell for help, went into the room, and was first to get to her. I attempted to support her knee from buckling, as she was barely able to stand, and suggested we lower her to the floor.
The patient suddenly buckled and her knee rammed into my knee. I have had much difficulty with walking for the last year and need surgery next month to determine the cause of the pain-MRI and x-rays are negative. Another nurse also got hurt but did not report it.
I have been given jobs cleaning out closets and frequent suggestions to possibly look elsewhere for work. At the moment, there is no mention of being let go, but I know they do not know what to do with me.
As your page stated, the brain can still work. I am returning to school for a master's in education but that still does not solve the problem. I keep waiting to be told that there is no use for me. My back was not injured, but the knee is just as important with walking and weight bearing and is another injury we obtain in doing our hard work. Brain Still Works
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I had my final back injury in 2001 after working in Critical Care for 13 plus years. I was unaware that I was day-by-day experiencing what would finally become a permanent injury and disability. All those little back strains that we thought were a part of being an active nurse. When we did report an injury, immediately we were told that we just must not be lifting correctly, not using proper body mechanics. In other words, it was all our fault.
Then, after working an 8 or 12 hour shift, you were sent to ER to wait 6 to 8 hours before being seen, most times released to return to work the next day after getting 2 to 3 hours sleep. Many injuries went unreported and I'm sure that has not changed even to this day.
It makes me angry that my back problem could have been prevented, and even more so, that I am having to fight to prove my disability and what it is worth in dollar form. I can't believe that California turned down a bill for "zero lifting" and that I didn't even know about it until now. Kinda late for me but I hope that it helps other nurses.
I am sad, depressed, and angry that I am in such chronic pain. I have been stripped of my life, health, profession, and, most of all, my belief in others and in myself. I have been a nurse for 30 plus years and it is extremely difficult to be on this side of the game. It embarasses and angers me that I have to ask and fight to be compensated for my injury. There is no adequate compensation for what you lose with a permanent injury. So Sad in Southern California
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To all those nurses who have suffered from back injuries: There is some hope, although it may be too late for some of you.
I am actually not a nurse but a physical therapist who sustained a cervical disc herniation which caused me to take a serious look at my ability to continue to lift patients. After 20 years as a PT, I did not want to leave my profession. I was fortunate to accept a position on our Injury Prevention Team which trains staff to lift properly using mechanical lifting devices. Our facility has portable and ceiling mounted lifting equipment and is moving toward coverage in all primary nursing units as well as ancillary services.
My current job is to teach all staff, not just nursing, how to prevent the injuries most of you share and educates staff on the impact of an injury. I feel blessed to work for an organization that is looking to the future and is obviously ahead of the game in providing the equipment. There are facilities like this out there. Do your best to find one now. A good place to start looking is the equipment companies like Liko and Guldmann where the vendors may be willing to tell you who is currently purchasing lifting equipment.
Consider working with your facility to develop a no lifting policy. Your education and skills as a healthcare professional can be put to good use in ways that will keep you employed and help to keep your friends and co-workers employed for years to come! Although it may seem that all is grim, there is some light at the end of the tunnel and it takes all of us to make the difference. Now on Injury Prevention Team
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I work as a nurse's aide in a small, 60 bed, facility. We have power lifters, but some employees don't feel the need to use them. I feel it is very, very important to use them, as I am going into nursing school. However, our facility has ripped and worn lift seats, so we are basically required to manually lift.
My neck has hurt for the past two weeks, and my upper and lower back have started to hurt. Now, I have a doctor's appointment and am not very anxious to see what he has to say. Lifting and Hurting
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350 Pounds - Attempted to Support Her
I have been a nurse for 22 years, in med-surg/oncology. Last year a patient who weighed 350 lbs had doctor's orders to be out of bed. During an attempt to take her out of bed to a chair, I heard a yell for help and went into the room, and was first to get to her. I attempted to support her knee from buckling, as she was barely able to stand, and suggested we lower her to the floor. The patient suddenly buckled and her knee rammed into my knee.
I have had much difficulty with walking for the last year and need surgery next month to determine the cause of the pain. MRI and x-rays are negative. Another nurse also got hurt but did not report it.
I have been given jobs to clean out closets, and frequent suggestions to possibly look elsewhere for work. At the moment, there is no mention of being let go but I know they do not know what to do with me. As your webpage stated, the brain can still work.
I am returning to school for a master's in education but that still does not solve the problem. I keep waiting to be told that there is no use for me. My back was not injured, but the knee is just as important with walking and weight bearing and is another injury we obtain in doing our hard work. Waiting To Be Told
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Disposable ICU Nurse
"After 20 years of ICU nursing experience, I sustained a back injury lifting a patient. I was out of work on workers' comp three times in two years until my doctor finally gave me permanent lifting and work restrictions. The hospital terminated me from my position in ICU and did not offer me any other full-time work.
"I was very close to being vested but now I have lost all my retirement money. They said unless I was unable to do any gainful occupation, that I was not considered totally disabled, which would have made me vested upon termination. The problem is, because of my back injury, I can't earn anywhere near what I was earning before.
"The loss of my career as an ICU nurse was quite devastating emotionally and financially. I have gone into school nursing instead with a considerable pay cut. Some school districts would not hire me because of my work restrictions." Was Close to Being Vested
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Back at the Bedside
I am a nurse who has been working in critical care for 23 years and I have degenerative disc disease. I was out of work for 6 weeks this summer with no pay.
Now I'm back at the bedside trying to get staff and management to implement the ?50-50-50 rule? for 3 nurses lifting a 150-pound patient. This never happens and my coworkers think I'm a pain. My bosses are probably hoping I'll leave soon so they won't have to hear this anymore. Trying to Get Help Lifting
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Injured Lifting, Filed Claim, Got Fired
I am amazed that the USA still treats nurses as manual lifts!! I have been proposing mechanical lifts since 1985 when I should have left bedside nursing.
I am now a grim statistic. I injured my spine after lifting a client but I kept working. I got hurt again in my shoulder and spine, filed a claim, and got fired. I had shoulder surgery and went into case management.
I now have repetitive stress injury in my wrists, shoulder and spine. Regretably, I went to hell and back and lost everything but my life. Thank God I still have my most precious asset, life. I am on permanent disability now, which I think was preventable.
I have survived and would like to know how to help in the war on "nurse terrorisism" called needless injuries. Disabled Nurse Survivor
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Tried to Catch Her
I was (no, dammit! AM) an ICU nurse.
Over the last 25 years of bedside nursing, I had had numerous minor back injuries, never needing to take more than a week off work. Then, last August, as I was trying to get a patient back into bed, she pitched forward. To keep her from hitting the floor face-first, I tried to "catch" her.
Instant agony!! X-rays and MRI are all normal, but bending just the least bit forward kills me ~ and let's not even talk about lifting! I did 6 months PT and lumbar injections, to no avail. I cannot sit, stand, or walk for more than 15 minutes without pain. California Workmen's Comp. declared me 30% disabled, and has written me off with a check for $400 every 2 weeks (and that will only continue for one year!).
My hospital employee health nurse told me that, next time, I should just let the patient fall. (!!!)
When I tried to apply for a case management job, they told me they were unable to train me since I had no experience in that field. I never once had a call or note from management asking how I was doing, etc. I was TOTALLY written off. The H*** with them! Written Off ICU Nurse
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Didn't Ask for This
I am still fighting with workers' comp insurance. I have had to pay out of my own pocket to see the orthopedic doctor. He recommended that I tough out the pain for at least the next two, maybe three, years and go back to see him using any insurance that I may have at the time. He said that at that time he will take the stem cells from my body and then inject them into my two damaged discs and try to repair them. In the meantime, he has examined me and put into dictation that I do have permanent parital disability from this back injury. He says that I am 30-40% disabled, but without a copy of my Physical Capacities Evaluation he couldn't say for sure. So I have another appointment with him next month and I have given him a copy of my PCE from WC ins. so that he can look at it. He said that he will help me as much as he can.
In the meantime, my doctor through WC is a complete jerk. He refuses to do anything for me because I am not physically fit and because I am too young in his opinion. He says that when I am 28 or 30 that it would be more appropriate. I told him, "So you want to wait until I want to have a baby in order to do anything?" He just restates that there is nothing that he is able to do, but he wants me to continue to see my pain consultant doctor.
The pain doctor says that I do need something done, preferably before I have children. He is also the only doctor who has prescribed me medications. Because of my injury, I have constant pain and daily lumbar muscle spasms that just won't go away. WC, on the other hand, will not approve the medications anymore from the pain doctor because WC is closing my case and the pain doctor is not my attending physician.
I have contacted my attending WC doctor several times, to have him fill out WC's palliative care forms correctly, and he still can't seem to do so correctly. I have gone to the clinic and confronted him, which he didn't like; I guess that was a bad plan I had. I asked him to refill my Ibuprofen and Flexeril prescriptions. He says, "Well, I won't refill narcotics for you." I informed him I HAVE NEVER TAKEN NARCOTICS FOR THIS SINCE I HAVE BEEN INJURED!! He then refilled the Flexeril once and said I could take Ibuprofen over the counter. I told him why should I pay for the medication when I didn't ask for this to happen to me in the first place. He just shrugged his shoulders and walked off. I asked to see if I can get a new doctor and was told that I couldn't because my case is closed and he has agreed to do my palliative care. He really sucks as a doctor. He really could care less at what happens to me. My lawyer is still trying to find something that he can do to resolve this.
It just seems that they want to drag this on to the point that you are so exhausted and you are no longer able to fight. They offered me $12,000 for my back injury, and then they appealed the decision. Personally, that does not pay for all of the pain and suffering, and humiliation, I have suffered from this. My work has been horrible to me. I finally gave my notice because I could no longer take the treatment from them.
I wish there was something I could do about the fact that they had me working on the floor for the first two months that I was injured. My lawyer says that it would be tough because I worked it. I told him what was I supposed to do, when they threaten you with your job, and you're new to the game, and don't know how it works. I am just so frustrated.
Then my lawyer told me that as I get older, if my back gets worse, I will have to go through all of this again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I never did anything to deserve this. - Young Disabled CNA
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I Was Proud to be a Nurse
I, too, have a cumulative back injury. I worked 12-hour nights on a busy med/surg unit. We were always short-staffed and always made do, no matter what the patient acuity level was. For nighttime admissions, we often had to transfer patients and belongings to another floor, pushing beds, etc. We retrieved new beds from storage and cleaned and sanitized the rooms?at night, there are no cleaning or orderly personnel. Funny how I didn't get paid, or the recognition, for being a nurse, orderly, room cleaner!
I had many back aches from the job, from being tired and on my feet speed-walking for 12-hour shifts! I never took a day out for this. Advil helped a lot. The sad thing about all this is, I was getting ready for work and reached up, standing on my toes, to close a top window. And that's all it took the lightening struck! I was then on the floor with the most horrible pain, felt like lightening. I did not go to work and haven't been back since.
Since this did not occur on the job, it does not qualify for workmen?s comp. The neurosurgeon (who has "seen what you nurses do") stated that my back was an ongoing thing and that the window was the breaking point. Sure was!!
I'm to have my second spinal surgery next week. I've been out of work for a year. This whole back problem has changed my life, my family, my finances, and my nursing career that I worked so hard for. The hospital I worked for shut me out the door. My manager, as well as my fellow peers, never called me, never sent a card, NOTHING!! I was in my hospital for the first surgery and nobody came to see me.
Working for them, I did overtime, changed hours, came in early and left late so many times and, now, since I can't "lift" and tow my weight, I'm out. It's like being over-used, abused, and discarded. Time and resources cannot be wasted on something (a nurse) that is not "100%."
Human resources would call on occasion to find out when I would be back. You have to be ?100% with an MD note." "Light duty" was not available." It was suggested several times that I get "another type of employment." My neurosurgeon states that I won't ever go back to floor nursing, that I "have to find something else." Great, but what? There are no resources or advocates to help you with this. I'm at odds to find another job with the same pay that I don't have to "lift" anything. I would love some suggestions regarding a new type of no-lift job for an injured nurse.
I do not have a lawyer. Never thought I could use one. If it was me against the hospital, they would squish me like a bug! Workman's Comp was not for me, only short-term and long-term insurance which is giving me a hard time. They told me to file for Social Security Disability and we all know how long that takes and most get refused. Meanwhile, I've had to sell my $40,000 car because of payments. Without more education and/or training (that I'll have to pay for), other medical field jobs are hard to come by and pay less than 1/2 my previous pay.
In nursing school, I think we spent more time on making a bed correctly than on "back" training. Now, whenever I see someone not lifting properly (even at the grocery store) I tell them to "take care of your back" for they have no idea what an impact an injury can be.
I was proud to be a nurse. Now this whole mess depresses me. I would love some feedback from someone who has gone before me. I would love some type of help regarding getting a job, what options there are, etc. I'm posting my story in case it might help somehow. - Find Something Else
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Who Will Care for the Nurses??
"Please use my story anytime-maybe it will help someone..."
This is my story. I've been a registered nurse for over 25 years holding certification in psychiatric and mental health nursing. For the past several years, I worked night shift in an acute care facility with psychiatric and older adult patients. There was usually one technician on each unit to assist with the patients. We were extremely busy, often with crisis admissions at night, as this was the way to best access managed care by being an emergency admission at night.
My injury occurred while assisting the technician pull up an obese, agitated, Alzheimer bed patient, in order to give her medications. The technician did not pull up the patient on the count of three. I had reviewed with the technician the procedure of lifting on the count of three, but it appears there was some type of language miscommunication.
During these times for cost containment, there was no orientation for nurses or technicians other than on the unit by the staff. The old see one, do one, teach one served as orientation. There were no lifts for patients and the bed was in one position because it was broken.
Initially, I was diagnosed with a thoracic-lumbar sprain/strain by the house physician and kept working while taking NSAID's and using heat. My prognosis was good. After working for a week, I leaned over to change my infant's diaper and locked up. I went to the emergency room and received muscle relaxers. I was then out of work for six months, during which I saw workman's comp doctors and attended physical therapy. I improved but never completely.
I returned to work part-time when workman's comp cut me off after an independent medical exam said I was cured. I quickly decompensated and had to return to physical therapy and later switch to a nursing supervisor position as I could no longer lift, carry, or restrain patients. I now was having nerve involvement. This began the long battle with workman?s compensation.
After 8 years of part-time work, and struggles with physical therapy, I became totally disabled in March of 2002. During these years I have had recurrent exacerbations, with diminished abilities after each. My employer was willing to allow me to stay on as a part-time night supervisor during this time. But, as the administration changed, and changes for the worse were made, I was unable to leave and seek employment elsewhere.
No one can use a nurse unable to meet the job requirements of lifting, restraining, etc. Supervision positions without lifting were scare as supervisors now had to work on the nursing units as well as act as supervisors. Other typical positions for nurses with back injuries were also hard to come by. Basically, any nurse position requires the ability to sit, stand, bend, lift, etc., none of which I can do without pain.
Presently, I am unable to lift five pounds and have daily pain. I am limited in my life with my husband and children. I have pain everyday, though it varies in intensity. Such common things as brushing your teeth or your child's hair can be extremely painful. I have become dependent on others to tie my shoes, my nine-year-old shaves my legs, and my fifteen-year-old son has become my back. He has become very independent in shopping, etc. This also puts a strain on your marriage as even relations with your husband can be extremely painful afterwards and wish to be avoided.
My family and I have been videotaped and accused of every trick in the book by workman's comp lawyers. Sometimes you feel useless. But I keep going with the bare necessities as a type of physical therapy and I refuse to just lie around.
This also puts a terrible strain on your finances. It is amazing how all the insurance companies can?t wait to sign you up for coverage. But, when the crisis hits, they try to reject you. I keep being told that perseverance is the only way to have success. But as you go bankrupt and fear losing your house, husband, and family, and see people on websites being sent money to get them out of bankruptcy, you wonder if there isn't some sort of help available.
I was a nurse and gave my all for my patients. As nurses, we give up meals and bathroom breaks, do mandated overtime, and work conditions no other professional or union would tolerate ? all to give the best nursing care possible, no matter what the cutbacks, because we care as nurses. But when you are injured, no one seems to care. It is a system based on money, bottom line. I guess, as a nurse who writes CAREplans, it is hard to accept when no one seems to care.
Now, I have to pay a lawyer to continue to win my workman?s comp case. I?ve applied for social security disability and was, as predicted, denied my first attempt. This is because nothing is seen on the MRI/x-ray but this is muscle with nerve impingement. And, everyone has degeneration of their spine with aging, but mine is decades ahead of my chronological age in my injured areas. So, now a lawyer must file an appeal and wait another year. My employer's long-term disability insurance company is dragging their feet, trying to deny me, or wait for financial ruin to set in and try to force you back to work.
I have learned the hard way that nurses have to be prepared. Don?t depend on your employer for your disability insurance. Nurses must compare policies against each other and look for loopholes or reasons that the insurance will not pay. There is also a place in need of donations to assist nurses (short term) in time of severe crisis. Nurses House, a national fund for nurses in need since 1922, is located at www.nurseshouse.org.
The Nurses House budget is small and you must be living practically on the streets to be considered. I hope I don't have to go that far. Please help publicize Nurses House as a worthwhile charity for nurses to donate money to help other nurses. If, and when, I get back on my feet, I will make them my charity of choice.
Nurses must also work together to identify and develop a nursing careplan, so to speak, to address these issues. These are not isolated incidents. Nurses need access to disability insurance, lifting equipment, adequate training, adequate trained staffing, nurse-oriented lawyers, and referral sources. I hope any of my experience can help someone else, and, if anyone can help me, before I lose everything, that would be nice, too. - Gave My All
"Who Will Care for the Nurses?" Injured Nurse Story #3. In William Charney and Anne Hudson (editors) Back Injury among Healthcare Workers: Causes, Solutions, and Impacts. CRC Press/Lewis Publishers. Boca Raton, FL, 2003. 39-40.
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