Question:
Dear Donna,
Since I was a child, I have wanted to have a career in healthcare. I went to school for medical laboratory sciences, received my associate's degree, and worked in the laboratory for a few years.
However, I really wanted to work more with patients; I felt too isolated in the lab. I really wanted to go back to school to become an RN, but I injured my back two years ago. I have a herniated disc in my back, which will probably heal on its own in time, but it may need to be treated surgically. I have had physicians tell me that my back will probably heal in time, and then I will be able to lift and carry again.
I'm a big, husky guy who has always been lifting and carrying, but I didn't want to get re-injured again. I was very sad because I thought I could not pursue nursing even after my back healed because of the heavy lifting.
I had all but given up hope, but then a nurse colleague said just because I had a back injury, there was no reason to stay out of nursing. She said if I had a back injury, I wouldn't have to worry about re-injury because most hospitals are going to a no-lifting policy because there have been too many injured nurses. Can someone go into nursing after having had a herniated disc after it has healed, or do you really risk the chance of re-injury on the job or in the nursing program you're attending? Is this a career I can do?
Thank you,
Prospective Nurse Worried About Lifting
Dear Donna replies:
Dear Prospective Nurse Worried About Lifting,
For starters, there are nursing students and nurses with different disabilities and injuries, including those who are missing limbs and those in a wheelchair. They're in nursing programs and/or working in both traditional (bedside) and non-traditional settings/positions.
Check out Donna Maheady's work, which focuses on supporting students and nurses with disabilities. She is the founder and administrator of The Exceptional Nurse and has written several books on the subject. You can connect with her through her website for additional information and support in this process.
As far as working after graduation, nurses work in many different settings. Patient lifting is not involved in many of them. In fact, most care (and related jobs for nurses) are moving out of the inpatient setting into outpatient and ambulatory care settings. And if you have a documented lifting restriction/disability and work in an area that requires it, you have protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Best wishes,
Donna
