Whee! I'm a Registered Nurse Again!

At the end of 2006 I couldn't afford to pay almost $400 to renew my nursing license so I opted to register as a non-practicing member.

As a result I could say I was a "nurse", but I couldn't classify myself as "Registered" because I wasn't. But now I'm officially back on the practicing roster and am officially, once again, a Registered Nurse!

One step closer to getting back to my job.

I had my functional capacity test today and the therapist was pleased with my preliminary results and doesn't foresee a problem with me returning to my job with few if any physical limitations! Of course he has to analyze the data first, but just based on his observation, it looks really, really good.

Even if I do have a few restrictions, the hospital still has to find another position for me, even if it involves bumping someone with less seniority out of theirs. I don't like that, but I need to get back to work and if bumping is the only option for a position that I can do, then that's what needs to be done.

That's wonderful news!

OH MY GOSH!!!!! I'm so happy for you!!! That's GREAT news! :claps:

for smooth sailing!

Well done my friend! Awesome news indeed

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

Congratulations!!!!! I am SO incredibly pleased for you, it must be so nice to feel as though you're getting back on track again!

So what's the next step?

Way to go Linda! You must feel so proud!

Originally Posted by sarahp

Congratulations!!!!! I am SO incredibly pleased for you, it must be so nice to feel as though you're getting back on track again!

So what's the next step?

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Thanks everyone!

The next step is to await the report from the therapist about my functional capacity. He knows that there is time pressure on me to get back to work, so he is going to rush and get the report to the insurance company by the end of the month.

From there the insurance company will arrange a meeting with the hospital to discuss positions that fit within any limitations that I may have, and then start me into a back to work program. Usually they start you at 1 hour per day, but because I've been going to the gym and feel so much stronger, I believe I can start with 2, or maybe even 3 hours, but that will remain to be seen. I'm aiming to have the back to work program finished by the end of October.

In the meantime I still need 368 more hours before the end of December, so I will be doing that work trial program in medical records at another hospital. It was supposed to start about 2 weeks ago, but now I hear that it's not until September 2nd.

Congratulations Linda! Excellent news for you.

Your life is just moving along and getting back on track.

Congrats on the registered nurse status!!

Originally Posted by GailC

Your life is just moving along and getting back on track.

Congrats on the registered nurse status!!

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Thanks!

For over 4 years I've felt that my life was totally out of my control, and it was. Nothing in my life has been private since I've been off work. Everything health related since I've been off work has been privy to both the health care liason that the insurance company hooked me up with, as well as the insurance company itself. In addition to that I had home care coming twice a week for more than a year to help me shower, and twice a month for house cleaning. Then I declared bankruptcy last year had to disclose all of my debts and assets to complete strangers who in turn delcared it to other complete strangers as needed, and I've had to give a monthly accounting of my income and expenditures.

Even my transportation has been monitored! To get around I've been using a service called "Handi Transit". I have to book my transportation 2 days in advance and tell them where I'm going and what I'm going for so that they can prioritize the trip. And they keep track of your trips and how many times you cancel after booking etc.

I've just felt totally and completely invaded I can't even begin to tell you how awful it is to have everything in your life an open book. Voluntarily disclosing stuff is one thing, but when it's forced upon you it's entirely something else.

I cancelled the weekly shower help but have kept the house keeping because I still have a hard time managing vacuuming and floors.

The health care liason has closed my file since I'm so close to getting back to my job, so I don't have to deal with her anymore.

And my bankruptcy is over at the end of the month. Twelve more days!!! Once discharged I no longer have to provide them with information about my finances.

So I'm slowly gaining some control of my life again.

Congratulations!!!!

Congratulations Linda! That is great news!

Congratulations! That is wonderful news for you! I hope you will be back at work soon and with little to no negative adjustment issues.

Oh hon, congratulations! I am so happy for you!! It sounds like things are really coming together for you.

Oh, and I don't blame you for not cancelling the house cleaning service. In fact, next time they finish at your place, send them over to mine! (Just kidding...I wouldn't wish my house on my very worst enemy!)

I am so happy for you! It really stinks going through all the stuff you have to go through to be licensed in certain professions, then not be able to use it. I am so glad things are looking up through the other problems, too.

Well done Linda! Once you get back into a routine you'll be fine. You've got through the hard part, so the rest will come naturally

Congrats