Butterflybee,
Hi! As my name states I was an ICU Supervisor for several years until I got really sick and ended up a patient in my own unit. Once I got out and back on my feet, my doctor told me that I had to find another place to work or I would be in trouble. I transferred to Home Care, where I worked for several months until I found out that I had cervical cancer and had to have surgery. I then became very ill following the surgery and was in the ICU and IMC from Sept to Dec. I got out of the hospital and called my supervisor and told them that I could come back to work, my director called me the next day and fired me because I wasn't dependable.
My suggestion to you would to be very careful about depending on the National Disability Act. Quite frankly it doesn't mean diddly. I tried it and they informed me that because I had been so ill and that the reasono they fired me was because I was not dependable then I had nothing to stand on. I had worked at this hospital for 5 years. I worked 4 12-16 hour shifts, covered others shifts, came in extra. They also had a small hospital in a neighboring town that I worked at. I would do 2 12 hour shifts there to help cover and of course make the extra money. I did this for over 4 years and this was how it ended. They told me that they were trying to find another unit for me to work in but because of my illness, no one wanted me. I informed them that by sharing my medical information around, that was breaking HIPPA but I couldn't prove that they shared that information. I was devastated. Now, I have filed for disability and consider myself "retired". My doc informed me that I couldn't work as a nurse when I was sicker than the patients.
I miss nursing something terrible and I keep up on my CEU's,lisensures, etc. I doubt that I ever go back into nursing unless it would be an office nurse or school nurse. My fear is that I wouldn't be able work the hours. I am currently enrolled at the local junior college to take some classes this fall for several reasons. I am afraid that my brain is going to melt as well as getting my credits in line to possibly graduate and become a history teacher, health teacher.
Whether you stay in ICU or not is going to be a tough decision between you and your doctor. We both know what kind of infections we encounter in this department. I contracted mycoplasim pneumonia, histoplasmosis along with MRSA and VRE, and who knows what else. I was in remission from my Lupus for about 12 years and then all **** broke loose. While I am sure you are as big as an adrenaline junkie as I am/was it would br tough to change departments. I do not blame you about going to a regular floor. It would be a hard transition after ICU. I absolutely loved Home Care. While it was an obviously slower pace, I didn't have to ask to go to lunch or to the bathroom. I was actually getting to know alot about my patients and helping them stay in their home. I was able to arrange different services that they needed as well as find money for them to help pay for meds, equipment, housing needs, etc. I never knew just how rewarding it could be. I still see several of my patients at the store or Walmart, cell phone store, etc and they are still as pleasant as the day I first met them.
There are other departments that you could transfer to if you so choose that would have less infection rates. They would be: PACU, Surgery, Pre-surgery, Radiology Nurse,Educational Nurse, Life Flight, possibly Dialysis.
I hold nursing licenses in two states and I keep them current. I hope that one day I could get my Lupus either controllable or in remission again so that I could go back into nursing. Until that time, I live vicariously through my nursing friends and try to advise as best as I can using my nursing knowledge.
If you chose to remain in ICU, I do have some advise. Regardless of whatever the patient has, always wear gloves and a mask. You might also want to wear a surgical cap over your hair. Wash, wash and wash your hands again. Leave your shoes, pens, etc there at the hospital, do not bring them home. As soon as you get home strip out of your scrubs as well as socks, and under garments and take a shower. Wash your scrubs in hot water and do not wash them with family clothing. Take vitamins that are ok'd by your doc. Get plenty of rest and try not to over do. If your body says it is tired, listen to it. Get plenty of exercise. If you get a chance to go outside on breaks or lunch, do so to get some fresh air. If you are truly scared of a patient, as far as what infection they may have, such as uncontained MRSA or something, then by all means, ask for a change in assignment.
I am sorry to hear that you have Lupus, but there are lots of us nurses as well as others here to give you support or a good listening ear. This site contains a wealth of information that is easy to access. There are the messge boards which you have found that always has something new and seems you can always learn something new. There is also a chat room that is wonderful. It seems rather magical in that you can be in a down mood when you enter the chat room and when you leave, your side might hurt from laughing so much as will your face from smiling so much. Welcome and keep in touch.
Nancy