career paths

[Guest guest]

Hi, everyone. I was just wondering if there was anyone out there

with RA in the medical field. I am newly diagnosed and have been

working for the past 3 years as an Exercise Physiologist for a

hospital teaching aerobics classes and working with heart patients.

(I still can't figure out how I taught those classes with

undiagnosed/untreated RA!) In August I will be going back to school

to get a second degree in nursing. Any advice, suggestions

or 'warnings?' Thanks.

E.

Louisiana

[Guest guest]

Hi, . I'm Marina and I work as a surgical nurse with

orthopedics being my specialty. I do this in an area hospital where

the hours are long. I love what I do, but I fear I am going to have

to give this up because of the RA. Just keep in mind the severity

of your RA and how much you can do. Mine has been very agressive

and the long days of being on my feet all day has been taking a

toll. I used to be a cardiac nurse working ICU and cardiac

stepdown. I didn't have RA then, but, I remember what that was

like. Long hours on your feet with little to no time to relax or

sit for a few. Sometimes I might get lunch, sometimes!! I am

looking for another job, hopefully with the same hospital, or I may

have to go on disability. I love my work. Especially in surgery.

I have been with the same hopsital for 13 years. I have worked

surgery for 8 years. It's a lot to give up. I had to quit my

second job at a surgery center. I loved that too, but I couldn't

keep up with the hours of both. Especially when I would be " on-

call " . That just made things worse. Even now, because when I am on-

call, I can't take my Vicodin or Neurotin, therefore, I get

absolutely NO sleep. There are other things available to nurses,

especially if you get your BSN. I wish you luck. If you have any

questions, feel free to email me......Marina in Ohio

--- In , " dianaenxing " <dianaenxing@y...>

wrote:

>

>

> Hi, everyone. I was just wondering if there was anyone out there

> with RA in the medical field. I am newly diagnosed and have been

> working for the past 3 years as an Exercise Physiologist for a

> hospital teaching aerobics classes and working with heart

patients.

> (I still can't figure out how I taught those classes with

> undiagnosed/untreated RA!) In August I will be going back to

school

> to get a second degree in nursing. Any advice, suggestions

> or 'warnings?' Thanks.

>

> E.

> Louisiana