Fibromyalgia .. is it still possible to work as a clinical RVN?

RE: Fibromyalgia .. is it still possible to work as a clinical RVN?

Sal the 1st — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 07:07:41 GMT

I'm waiting for a new hip (currently 311th on the list for my area) most of the time I'm ok but there are days when I struggle to bend - usually we manage. The things I can't do I try to make up for in other ways. Don't write yourself off

RE: Fibromyalgia .. is it still possible to work as a clinical RVN?

karen manning — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 03:32:14 GMT

I sympathise. I’ve had fibro for 7 years and it’s tough to put it mildly. I also stopped clinical practice I spent my time in practice management for a while but I really hate paperwork. I also found teaching and mentoring worked for me to still feel involved in the industry. I’m currently taking some time out abroad and working with street dogs and rehabilitation work but I do struggle with the physical aspects even in this situation. My passion is ECC but I know I could never go back to the physical demands of an ECC role.
If you are keen to go back to clinical practice look at some referral centres or hospitals as they tend to have clearer defined roles or maybe if you are good with people speak to a practice about running nursing clinics for them. I’d say avoid anywhere you need to do shift work, avoid kennel shifts as they are physically demanding with scrubbing and kneeling, then also theatre work with long periods stood still can be just as bad (I developed plantar fasciitis due to theatre and that unfortunately finished me off on top of my fibro.)

Good luck and be kind to yourself there will be a place for you, good nurses are always in demand you just may have to carve that place out for yourself, don’t undersell yourself you still have plenty to give to the right practice.

RE: Fibromyalgia .. is it still possible to work as a clinical RVN?

apache — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 23:10:52 GMT

What are you good at? How many good days versus bad days?

As an employer I'm not sure this is much different to having a pregnant nurse - can do most things with some limitations.

I think you'd fit in better in a big team, where other people can do the bits where you struggle and you can excel and the things you are good at (and potentially help and mentor the younger nurses in those areas). To me a bigger practice makes sense, I can often be the only vet in the building with one nurse - they have to be willing to fight with anything!

I'm not sure scrubbing theatre walls would be in my top 20 RVN tasks and there is always medetomidine for the boisterous lab.

I think there is a place for you in clinical practice. Good luck