Unable to work.

I'm an RN working at a LTAC, and believe it or not, I really like working there. I was full-time with a 6a-2p schedule. Perfect for me and my family. Until bam, out of no where my body started to give out. I had uncontrollable wide spread muscle spasms, numbness in legs and arms, tripping, trouble swallowing. I went down to part-time, but I still just couldn't recover after working a shift. I went to see a neurologist, had several tests and labs, was tested for MS, Myasthenia Gravis, all tests are negative. I have then been passed on to a neuromuscular doc and am awaiting hole punch biopsies to see the condition of my small fiber nerves in June. I am heartbroken that I can not work. The facility did allow me to go PRN, and as long as I come in once every 90 days, I can keep this status, even if it is just for an inservice. I have stopped by work a few times, on my 'good days' to visit residents and coworkers. I want nothing more that to go back to work. I have been at home, unable and not allowed (per dr order) to work. I worked so hard to become and RN and even have my BSN. I know I should be taking this time to heel and rest, but my desire to be back doing what I love to do causes me so much unrest. I am blessed to have a supportive family and a spouse that is able to keep our family financially afloat. I know that I'm lucky with a supportive family and workplace, but I just want back.

How have others dealt with situations like this? How do I be okay with taking a break from a career I love and want to get back to so badly?
I'm sorry this is happening to you. Being unable to work is very frustrating. Try not to fret about it and allow yourself to get well. Go in for the occasional inservice if you can and try to count your blessings. It sounds like you have a wonderful spouse and family and a supportive workplace, and these go a long way to removing some of the stress associated with being unable to work.

I am also sorry you are unable to work. I'm sure it's very frustrating. Will your employer or your doctor let you work half days just as a clinical helper so you won't feel like your not using your degree? Or may case management or working from home as an RN?

Does your LTAC have a service where they call discharged patients to see how they and their families are doing? If they don't they should...and you could do this from home. Ask!

So sorry you have to go through this.If your CNO is a little bit creative, a role can be devised for you... something like "admission/discharges coordinator" or "customer representative", ****it. Just coordinating admission orders/discharge outcomes/maybe some chart reviews, it all needs to be done anyway, and can be done sitting or even from home.

Thanks for all your responses. I'm going to go by work sometime this week and see what we can work out. Thanks for the ideas and advice! It's nice to know I have a place to come and get some of this off my chest. Thanks everyone

I can understand your frustration with being withheld from your career.However, now is the time to focus on YOU. Focus on your health and whatever it takes to regain it.Your facility appreciates you enough to only require an appearance every 90 days.Spend your energy on yourself and your healing.Best of luck to you, please let us know how it's going.