Contemplating
Its been on my mind lately especially within the last 2 months. On the end of january I hurt my back at work....my mid back & I pinched a nerve there also. It was pretty much the worst pain I've experienced. I was off for a week & since then I'm on modified duties. And I'm going to physio.This is the third time I got hurt at work within the past 5 years. And the second time I hurt my back...the first time I hurt my lower back. I also hurt my left shoulder. Now since I've been on modified for 6wks I have to do further assessments to find out what's going on with my back.
My job is physical I've had my fair share of aches & pains & bruises. It can be physically & mentally draining at times. I'm a nursing attendent at a long term care facility. I take care of the elderly & adults as well. I've been doing so for almost 8yrs now.
Now I'm contemplating whether I should stay or find another job within the same field. I've been on modified work already & this being the third. If I stay will I get hurt again & will it be worse then before. This time my pain is worse & it feels different.
But now I'm wondering of so many things & thinking too much. Should I stay or go. Or go back to school. In same field or another. I have to figure out my options. There are many options. But not sure what to do at moment.
I've been thinking about it lately & I want to heal. But at same time I'm wondering if my back is seen its wear & tear...& its time to seek something else. Or with some work get by back better & continue on in my profession. Is my back telling me something?
Any advice or suggestions?
Comments (23)
ur health comes first
Sometimes leaving what we know is hard, but worth it. Gotta look after your health I reckon.
Hope that helps. GOOD LUCK!!!!
There are many options in your field of work, as you said. You could try the lesser strenous ones and don't require a lot of lifting and energy consuming. Now, if you decide to find another line of work different than you have now, weigh the possibilities.
your health is by far more important then your job, in your line of work how many people have you seen hurt their backs so bad they were unable to walk again i quit my job in 1985 jobs well come and go your back is for your whole life,
RN's NA's and PSW well be in high demand both hear and Canada
with great pay. good luck
It is true about our spine/back it is the backbone of our body it holds us up. Any severe damage we're either fully or partially paralyzed....& recovery depends on so many factors. I wanna keep my back healthy as I can possibly do. Thanks!
And it is true that there no shortage in the profession I'm in. With the aging baby boomers the need will increase for nursing staff as well. The pay is not bad but in private places...pay is alittle less tho. The problem is that not enough staff & working short & getting physically heavier residents it takes a toll on our bodies (
Staff have told me when they first started like 30yrs ago...there were NO LIFTS of any kind. But as time went on they came into facilities. Thank goodness! If no lifts I won't even go for this job. I wonder how many back injuries there were back then. I could never imagine trnsferring 300ibs person with no lift....& we have 5 obese residents who require 4 staff to do care....& some aren't able to help. I also did hurt my back while caring for an obese person.
But today I did an assessment at a clinic. They looked at our job requirements for lifting/pulling/etc. They tested me on it. There some areas I was weaker on & others I was good at. So now I'm gonna be working on improving 5days/week for about 2 to 4hrs each day. Not all physical tho. I agree physio can only do so much.
Its making me think about things!