Time off advice from fellow nurses

[gracierose 0]

I work on a very busy unit/12 hour shifts. Shift starts at 7:45 and ends around 2100.

Breaks do not exist, however we do get 30-45 minutes for lunch (sometimes not until 2pm) and 30 minutes for dinner (as late as 7pm). I am on my feet, walking fast, standing, pushing wheelchairs, boosting patients, crouching, bending and twisting for a great deal of my day.

Cutting to the chase, how much time should I take off post surgery? We are cut little to no slack and will be called in if unable to keep up. By the way I am not telling anyone except for 2 close work friends.

I'm really afraid to go back to early, particularly since my job is physically demanding and my diet will be so regimented post surgery.

Any advice would be so appreciated.:thumbup:

Edited August 29, 2010 by gracierose
repeat

[rockstar 0]

My surgeon had mentioned taking 3-5 weeks off for people with very demanding jobs, such as construction. You don't work construction but I would imagine you'd want to take 2 weeks off to ensure that the port has proper healing so you don't pop a suture or rip something.

Of course, all surgeons are different and recommend different things so perhaps you could ask him/her what they recommend in your situation?

[Bryn 3]

I'm not a nurse, and don't work 12 hour shifts, but i work in physical therapy and i work 8-9 hours a day at times and am up on my feet pretty much 7-8 hours religiously. like you i'm pushing/pulling and i'm also on my hands and knees and doing weird movements.

i asked my doctor about how much time (besides the usual 1-2 weeks for those who don't have physically demanding jobs) and she said for those with physically demanding jobs, she says 3-4 weeks, and then she will write a prescription for light duty at work for those who want it. she said we should never push it before the 6 week mark so our bodies can "heal"