Nurse Friends

Hi - I am not a nurse but I work in a hospital.  I took off two weeks and felt that I should have taken 3.  I have a stressful desk job and was exhausted, didn't feel good, didn't look good (people noticed there was something not quite right with me****il the 3rd week.  (I'm also whimpy)  I guess you should base it off how your body has reacted to trauma in the past.  Did you bounce right back or were you whimpy like me?

I must admit, I took advantage of my paid sick time and took 3 weeks off. I actually could have used two. I wanted to be 100% sure I was up to doing all my duties.

I work as a RN in ICU but with my position I float through all of our ICU's and Trauma Bay (ED). I took off three weeks which was plenty for me. My job would not let me return to the units until I had no lifting restrictions. This was not only for my safety but also patient safety.

I took two weeks off for the original surgery and three weeks off after the surgery to repair a slipped band. Regardless of when you go back, the first week is difficult and very fatiguing. I work on a busy med/surg floor where I work charge nurse (but occassionally work the floor also). They just made sure that I didn't work the floor for the first couple of weeks back, this however doesn't mean that I didn't help with boosts and turns. I just made sure to wear my abdominal binder and good body mechanics.

I'm a Hospice Nurse. My doc wanted me to take off 3 weeks...I begged and he gave in...I took off a week. The first few days back I was extremely tired and a little light headed at times.

Thank You so much for all the input. I will keep you all posted.