Hi! last August '04 I was in a terrible accident and my foot was amputated and re-attached. Now I have learned to walk again (after my surgeon told me I would not)I have been and RN for 15 years and this is what I want to do but don't know what to do to go about getting back into the work force. I have no clue where to start to talk to someone. After finally admitting to myself, and now I guess to the cyber world, I have lost the once confident nurse I used to be and not sure where to turn. So here I am, open wide for suggestions. Also, I should add that I have had a recent break up with an abusive relationship and am back staying with my sister until I can find a place of my own just to add more salt to the wound.
Got any suggetions on where to pick up the peices and get back on track with my once very self confident, taking care of myself, independant person who knew where what her life was going??
Thanks
Starfish007

Starfish007,
I am not a nurse but my wife is.
We discussed your issue and have some suggestions.
Have you thought about a "work-hardening" scenario where you could volunteer and/or work part-time for your previous employer (assumimg you were on good terms with them). This would be a confidence builder for you and a receptive employer. A good attitude and a willingness to work will take you far.
Perhaps home health or "sitting" would be a place to start.

A membership to a gym might offer a treadmill and/or other equipment that would condition and strengthen your injured limb. A pool would offer water walking which is very threaputic considering the support/bouyancy the water offers. I believe the YMCA offers a Christian, facilitative and accepting environment for folks in this situation. Please don't be afraid to check out the local YMCA.

How do I know? The local YMCA was VERY instrumental in my rehab from Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Sure, I got funny looks when I first hobbled in on my forearm crutches but years later people who have not seen me in some time comment on how well I am doing. There is a lady who frequents my YMCA that was involved in a car wreck that killed four others and did bad damage to her including almost severing her leg. You couldn't detect it today. Are there times that I don't really want to go to the YMCA and work out? Sure, but after working out and sitting in the steam room.....I am so glad I did.

Do I still limp today, 17 years after the fact? Yes, just a bit. I tell people that don't really need to know why I limp that "...I had to lay my Harley down" and keep walking. The more sincere folks get a brief description of GBS. My wife says I should educate, educate, educate so as to broaden peoples knowledge of GBS and neuromuscular disorders.

Anyway, I hope I have offered some ideas that you can use. PLEASE PLEASE don't give up hope. Hope will take you the distance.

There is a special place in heaven for nurses.

Thanks for your inspiring message!! I am still doing physical therapy and doing some things on my own to keep my balance and walking to increase distance and endurance, but the added water activity would really help too I think. Thank you for the suggestions, I have talked with my nurse manager and she is going to see what she can do for me since I am still concidered an employee (I am on medical LOA) I think you are right, I need to start slow and work my way back up to the way it was before. Thanks again :-)