experience –
Question re: carpal tunnel and nursingRating: (votes: 8) My question for all you nurses is this...in your opinion, could someone who has trouble with repetitive motion (i.e. typing) successfully handle a nursing career? My grip and strength are good...it's just the repetitive stuff that drives me nuts. My goal is to be an RN and do hospice and/or home health. What are the basic physical demands for something like that? If I need to post these questions somewhere else, please let me know. In advance, I sincerely appreciate any advice you have to offer! I would also like to know the answer to this question. I have had CTS in both wrists for more than a year. I got it from a lot of typing at my current job and also at home. Typing doesn't bother me much any more as long as I keep my hands and arms in the right positions. My grip is also good, but I have a problem writing for long periods of time and lifting with one hand. As long as I use both hands to pick up heavy items (dishes!) I am okay. If I try to get something out of the oven or something with one hand, I generally do it but I might feel like I am going to drop it in the process. I will also have more pain than normal for the next several hours. I can't hold newborn to 6month old babies for long periods of time because it puts too much pressure on my wrists. Once they get to a point were you can just let them sit on your hip I can do it. Comment:
I have CTS, but haven't had surgery...yet. I have had a shot of cortisone and can have it one more time, if needed. I'm putting that off as long as I can since the next step after that will be the surgery. For now, it's tolerable and I will use my brace and take antiinflammatories when needed.I haven't really had a problem being a nurse with it. Sure, at times, it acts up when typing assessments or checking off MARS for the next day. I try to remember to position my hands correctly on the keyboard. When checking off MARS, I usually don't have the luxury of sitting there, getting them all done without interruption anyway. If it does start hurting, fall asleep, etc., I just take a break from what I'm currently doing and do something else for awhile.I've not really had any other problems in nursing because of it. It is a little bit harder to move a patient in bed, but I can always get someone to help me.
Comment:
I am trying to get the VA (Vocational Rehabilitation/Education) program to approve my nursing school as I too have Carpal Tunnel/tendinitis in both wrist. I was a drummer in the U.S. Army band and took and honorable/medical discharge and the VA rated me at 10% disabled in each wrist. Any advice or suggestions from those that have had to prove that one can be a nurse with carpal tunnel would be very helpful. I believe their main concern is trying to lift patients and any repetitive motions of course.
Comment:
I had carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand a year ago. It helped me alot, I'm wondering why you still have problems? i have some mild tendonitis in my right arm, but that's it. It doesn't interfere with my job. We do computer charting, too.
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