Nurses- when are you going back to work?!

[Megabuck886 62]

I'm a PICU nurse- was just sleeved on Tuesday 10/15. Home now but definitely have a long way to go before I can even think about going back to work. My manger also won't do weight restrictions... (In a pediatric ICU, I could potentially have all 5-10kg babies, but without a weight restriction, I might have to care for a 100kg 17year old...). I was told ill need at least 6 weeks without lifting any more than 15lbs...

What restrictions do other nurses have?

How soon did you/ do you plan on going back to work?

Are your managers giving you grief?

I'm just nervous as I was originally optimistic that I would be able to go back after 4 weeks (with surgeon approval) if I was healing well enough, however, after seeing how difficult the first few days have been I cannot imaging going back to work anytime soon!

[cathycnyrs 85]

I submitted fmla papers because I was worried about attitude from management. Everyone has been fine, but if something happens I have 12 weeks that they cannot mess with me.

[SeaLegs 38]

Congratulations on the sleeve!

I'm a Labor and Birth nurse. I arranged for 4 weeks off. I am a little nervous about it. My manager says "there is no light duty on this unit", so I don't expect to get any slack. We have to lift patients, push beds, stretchers and wheelchairs, sometimes emergently. I was sleeved on October 7th, and right now my world is doing food prep and chores at home then crashing in the afternoon. It's hard to get all the food and Water in.

One of my colleagues had a RNY recently. The day she came back after 6 weeks, she got the toughest assignment on the unit, was pale, dehydrated and dizzy (but refusing offers of IVF). At this point, I am a little worried, too, about my ability to work full out for 8 hours (breaks are not a given). I'll give her a call and see what she has to say.

Since it has been busy and short staffed for a long time, my managers asked me to delay my surgery date til the beginning of the next time schedule, just to make things easier for them, which I did. No other hassles (yet).

I am as interested as you are to see what people have to say.

[back2barb78 890]

One month (surgery Oct 7th back to work Nov 7th) but if I feel like I need more time, I'm going to ask for it. I'm an LDRP, well/bad baby, all-in-one nurse on a small but busy unit. I'm not going to be moving 200-300lb women with epidurals/post C-section until I feel comfortable doing it whether my note says no restrictions or not. That's the reason I shared my surgery with my co-workers too- I plan on taking it easy when I go back as well. I've paid my dues and if I go back and don't feel well or don't feel I'm getting the support I need, I'm going right back home and won't go back until I'm 100%.

[Megabuck886 62]

I submitted fmla papers because I was worried about attitude from management. Everyone has been fine' date=' but if something happens I have 12 weeks that they cannot mess with me.[/quote']

Yea I did that too, but only requested 6weeks off... I'm hoping that will be enough! I applied for short term disability too, it's only 60% of my salary, but should help while I'm out...

[back2barb78 890]

Oh- and no management hassles-yet. But you know how that goes.

[Megabuck886 62]

Congratulations on the sleeve! I'm a Labor and Birth nurse. I arranged for 4 weeks off. I am a little nervous about it. My manager says "there is no light duty on this unit"' date=' so I don't expect to get any slack. We have to lift patients, push beds, stretchers and wheelchairs, sometimes emergently. I was sleeved on October 7th, and right now my world is doing food prep and chores at home then crashing in the afternoon. It's hard to get all the food and Water in. One of my colleagues had a RNY recently. The day she came back after 6 weeks, she got the toughest assignment on the unit, was pale, dehydrated and dizzy (but refusing offers of IVF). At this point, I am a little worried, too, about my ability to work full out for 8 hours (breaks are not a given). I'll give her a call and see what she has to say. Since it has been busy and short staffed for a long time, my managers asked me to delay my surgery date til the beginning of the next time schedule, just to make things easier for them, which I did. No other hassles (yet). I am as interested as you are to see what people have to say.[/quote']

Same with me- no light duty allowed, which is ridiculous because they could just give me a baby patient and I would be OK. We also only do 12hr shifts, so I'm definitely nervous about jumping back into that, where like you said breaks are never guaranteed!

[Megabuck886 62]

One month (surgery Oct 7th back to work Nov 7th) but if I feel like I need more time' date=' I'm going to ask for it. I'm an LDRP, well/bad baby, all-in-one nurse on a small but busy unit. I'm not going to be moving 200-300lb women with epidurals/post C-section until I feel comfortable doing it whether my note says no restrictions or not. That's the reason I shared my surgery with my co-workers too- I plan on taking it easy when I go back as well. I've paid my dues and if I go back and don't feel well or don't feel I'm getting the support I need, I'm going right back home and won't go back until I'm 100%.[/quote']

Good for you! I'm kinda at the bottom of the totem pole- only been there for 2.5years so I'm not sure my requests for help and support would be as well receipted... That and the fact that i work at Boston Childrens Hospital, so it's one of the best PICUs in the world, and as good as they are to the nurses I feel as though I'm always replaceable because soooooo many nurses want to work there... There is no shortage of applicants! I told a few coworkers before I went out of work that I was having the sleeve, but not too many. That being said, word passes VERY quickly in my unit... We shall see, fingers crossed I'm stressing over nothing, and will be good to go after 6weeks!

[SeaLegs 38]

Just spoke with my friend. She went back at 5 weeks because there is an "old battle-axe" at the bariatric practice who would not authorize more time. She says she could have used a week more, and take what you can get.

[SeaLegs 38]

Good for you! I'm kinda at the bottom of the totem pole- only been there for 2.5years so I'm not sure my requests for help and support would be as well receipted... That and the fact that i work at Boston Childrens Hospital, so it's one of the best PICUs in the world, and as good as they are to the nurses I feel as though I'm always replaceable because soooooo many nurses want to work there... There is no shortage of applicants! I told a few coworkers before I went out of work that I was having the sleeve, but not too many. That being said, word passes VERY quickly in my unit... We shall see, fingers crossed I'm stressing over nothing, and will be good to go after 6weeks!

Funny you should say this, because I've worked at my hospital for 27 years (interrupted, so I only have 6 years of seniority) and I feel the same way, very replaceable. Plus there are social aspects...I'm not part of the cliques, so I expect no mercy. I only told a couple of people myself, just didn't feel like discussing my decision, but I'm sure everyone knows (and the clique people have rendered their opinions in my absence).

[Megabuck886 62]

Funny you should say this' date=' because I've worked at my hospital for 27 years (interrupted, so I only have 6 years of seniority) and I feel the same way, very replaceable. Plus there are social aspects...I'm not part of the cliques, so I expect no mercy. I only told a couple of people myself, just didn't feel like discussing my decision, but I'm sure everyone knows (and the clique people have rendered their opinions in my absence).[/quote']

You pretty much just nailed my thoughts and feelings right on the head!

[robynnk 1]

I'm a gastric sleeve post op (10/15/13) and also a nurse, although I have, for the most part, a desk type position. I have ten pound weight restriction as well. I have done remarkably well since surgery, no pain at all and was up and about independently day 2. I could go back to work whenever, but I can't imagine going into a facility with healing wounds and a JP drain. I don't think they would let me come back to work. I have the 1st post op visit to remove drain and staples on the 28th at which time, I will most likely be allowed to return. Best wishes to all of you for great success in this healing process!

[Mrs.RRn 2,111]

I work m/s, tele, triage and I took about 6 weeks off. It was pretty much perfect.

[cescelli 46]

I am gettin sleeved Monday the 21st and I am only taking a week off. Now after reading how long you guys are taking I'm nervous it won't be long enough..

[Davalrie 152]

Hi! I am now the field nurse supervisor at my company in which it consist of me getting out in the field making homevisits etc. I was told 2 weeks by my doctor. I was sleeved 10/7/13. I actually went back to work Monday and just did office work filing putting my charts in order. I do miss my nap time during the day! Lol! My supervisor told me at anytime I don't feel well I can leave. But so far I have been doing good.