Guest guest Posted October 23, 2003 Report Share Posted October 23, 2003 Toni: I think returning to work 3 days after surgery might be pushing it. I think I'd try to get another couple days off if possible. You are having major surgery. You deserve to take some time off for yourself. As a matter of fact this is the beginning of thinking about taking care of yourself first for at least the whole next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2003 Report Share Posted October 24, 2003 Jessie, I feel the same way that you stated. But, I have just switched to a new unit where we have very little staff. I am one of two nurses who can do charge. The other nurse is working the 3 days prior. If I call in sick that leaves my unit in a shortage. I guess I am just too dedicated to my job. But also in my defense, I have applied for a permanent charge nurse position. I don't want to give the manager a bad impression by using my FMLA for those days. Do you think if I am doing charge nurse with no lifting, I would be ok tho. As charge, I don't have to take any patients. I would be charge nurse duties such as staffing, relieving monitor tech and RN breaks, assisting RN with orders etc. I gave my manager a heads up yesterday that I may have to call in sick those two days and she understood. She told me to not rush back to work and that I needed to take care of myself. I will be smart tho. I won't push myself. I have two very close friends who I happen to work with on this unit who are going to be helping me postop. These friends are very supportive of my surgery and of me doing well. I look forward to seeing you in the office Jessie as a post op patient. I am still pinching myself to make sure this is real!! Toni <T-31days> > Toni: I think returning to work 3 days after surgery might be pushing it. > I think I'd try to get another couple days off if possible. You are having > major surgery. You deserve to take some time off for yourself. As a matter > of fact this is the beginning of thinking about taking care of yourself > first for at least the whole next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2003 Report Share Posted October 24, 2003 Dear Toni, As a charge nurse a lot of time might be spent sitting, scribing orders, etc. Sitting was very uncomfortable for me post op, I needed freedom to move around, even to breathe easier. I also had 10 days worth of migranes from giving up a long diet coke habit. What if you had a code on your unit? How much support could you offer, and with your dedication, you could push yourself too hard. I needed over a week to recover, my tissue swelled badly and I was bruised and very sore. Some people have a much easier time, but you want to think of yourself first. If you had your gallbladder or an appy removed, would you rush back to work? I'd prepare your superviser now with the probability you will need a little more time. they can have a floor nurse with seniority act as temporary charge and cover floor nurses from your hospital float pool. I tried to go on a short sightseeing trip 4 days post op, and ended up getting readmitted overnight. This is not meant to scare, but to remind you there is a broad spectrum of how well people bounce back from this surgery. With all that said, best of luck to you as you prepare for your surgery, you have wonderful care providers and a supportive team, you sound like you are well on your way to becoming a successful bandster. Good luck and best wishes to you! Jan W. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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