Working with RA

[Suzy95]

I am working as a nurse and finding ward nursing very tiring due to RA fatigue.

I do want to stay in nursing and am wondering what to do ?

[Hoffster1984]

Hi Suzy,

What ward work do you do? My other half works on a cardiology ward so I appreciate how busy it can be! Do you get any time at all to rest during a shift?

[Suzy95 in reply to Hoffster1984]

I work on an orthopaedic ward so it is heavy but even finding 7.5 hours shifts hard. ! I do get breaks but never feel rested. I am looking at lighter nursing roles as they do exist! Thanks for your concern.

[oldtimer]

look for further qualifications? Such as health visiting, public health, teaching? Somewhere where you can sit down and work...

[Suzy95 in reply to oldtimer]

Thanks for your reply. I was thinking of applying for the NHS 111 service as a nurse advisor. How good would my IT skills have to be? At least I could sit down!

[Hidden]

Have you spoken to your employer about the difficulties you are having ? They may be able to help you or make some suggestions. I’d always try that first.

[SarahJane926]

Hi Suzy

I'm a dental nurse and had the same problems with fatigue. I didn't want to change career as I love my job so I had to put my hours down to part time, my employers were very supportive. I also changed my diet and increased foods rich in Vitamin B, which is responsible for energy levels and if lacking, makes the healthiest person fatigued. With diet change and more rest I've been able to continue my nursing. Hope this helps x

[FRreedman]

If you don't fancy what others have suggested, how about clinic nursing 9-00am to 1-00pm and then 2-00pm to 5-00pm. No lifting heavy patients, mind you some of those files go back years. Let us know how you get on.

[Suzy95 in reply to FRreedman]

Thanks for your message. Do you mean outpatient nursing ? Would I become a bit deskilled.? The hours are good

[FRreedman in reply to Suzy95]

Unfortunately, I am not a nurse, but I would assume there would be more administration and less hands on nursing, so it would be differently skilled, rather than deskilled. You can always check with your RCN rep or HR at work. Please keep us posted.

[Mmrr]

I wondered about clinic work too ?

You would still be on your feet much of the day, but the work is not so heavy. Similarly would there be any openings as a practice nurse ?

I'm not sure of school nursing still exists but that might be an option too.

[Suzy95 in reply to Mmrr]

I have seen many practice nursing jobs advertised recently, some not needing experience. Is anyone working as a practice nurse? Pre op assessment is another area that would be easier?

[PinkLamb]

Like Kittyj say's, speak with your employer, have you thought about 'Flexible Working'? If you enjoy your current job, with the support from your employer between yourselves it may be possible to work something out!!

That's what I did last year, I couldn't cope with the heavy lifting and physically demanding job, 8 hour shifts alternating every week!! 😥

Good luck 🤞

X

[Rosiesmummy in reply to PinkLamb]

Hi Suzy I was in your position and I found the hospitals occupational health service very helpful. They recommend work changes for me even though my senior managers didn’t believe there was any thing wrong and I was just pulling some kind of scam. This was with letters from my rheumatologist at another hospital.

I was able to work for several more years although I eventually had to take early retirement.

Good luck and don’t give in to bad management who may try and make life difficult. One final thing,are you a member of RCN or a union. They to can advise you.

[Suzy95 in reply to PinkLamb]

Thanks for your reply. What area of nursing are you in? I just need courage to apply for some other type of nursing job or do something else. So many nurses are retiring early or changing career where I work.

[PinkLamb]

Hi Suzy95,

You are welcome!!

No, I'm not in nursing, I'm in manufacturing,

I wish you well for the future

X

[Rosiesmummy]

Hi suzy. I worked on a Neurosciences ward when I was first diagnosed. At first occupational health were difficult,wanted me to resign so as to save the hospital paying for my sick leave! However the dept was reorganised and the new staff were much more sympathetic. I worked part time on a Neurosciences day unit mainly looking after patients with MS. especially helping them with disease modifying drugs. I was able to do that for about ten years before I had to take early retirement. I found the RCN helpful and when I ran into problems with managers trying to change my hours and terms and conditions they sent a rep to meetings with me. Remember you are covered by disability discrimination acts.

[Suzy95]

Thanks for your reply. I don’t think I can do wards much longer but there other areas of the hospital which are lighter and I could sit down a bit more! I look at the patients in their cosy beds, wanting to sleep!! I am in the RCN so its useful to know I would be supported if I needed them in this situation. I saw an advertisement for a hospice nurse and maybe that could be a easier?

When you are in Nursing you forget to put your own needs first. RA is a chronic , progressive illness and we need to listen to out bodies and make life as easy as possible..