OT: post number 2

Hello again...I had a very stressful day and I guess you guys get two posts from me. Perhaps you can give me advice here. I have been an LPN (nurse) since 1984.....I did geriatric nursing and loved it until I was injured in 1999, which then caused me to have 3 (yes three) surgeries on my neck to repair disc herniations. I do have a lot of pain in my neck and shoulder blades and have been on workers comp/social security as well since then..The workers comp doctors say I can work and only lift up to 2 lbs and no repetitive movements with my neck or arms......My doctors say I am totally disabled but the comp board says because the worker's comp doctors say I can work then I am only partially disabled and can find some kind of job....So today I met with an attorney who told me I need to look into being retrained to do something I can be successful in. Any advice on what jobs or things some one with my background could do, still utilizing my nursing degree but not actual nursing that would cause lifting or excessive repetitive movements? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I need to decide what kind of retraining I will need.... Hugs Chris

What about Pharmacueticals? I know I spelled that wrong lol. Will the nursing info move over to Pharmacy Techs or sales???????

Chris, I am not sure what you could do only lifting two pounds? That is a tough one. I was going to suggest being some type of administrator, secretary, support person in a medical or doctor office. But, even if you had to refill a copier with paper, the ream weighs more than 2 pounds. What about a Bariatric Nurse Coordinator? All the ones I know are RN's but maybe with alittle more education that would be something ... The ladies I know that are BNC's both have had bariatric surgery. God Bless! Jen

Jen this is something I am going to look into....They will retrain me because it was work related and I have to go in with ideas so they could pay for schooling to get me to be an RN and going from there....Thanks for the imput. HUgs Chris

I agree with Jen, You would be great at that. It's so good to have someone who's "been there, done that". My docs nurse is a beanpole who never had to diet in her life so it's hard to see empathy from her. Good luck - I think you would be great here! Sending hugs, Ronna