Originally Posted by nightnurse30 (Post 816340)

I completely understand!!! I did pretty much the same thing as you....went back to work in the ICU after 3 weeks and felt like i was gonna die by the end of 1 week. I am the energizer bunny on the unit, always high on life, never needed coffee, could do 5 things at once. And that person has been gone for 6 months now. Its hard to accept that you arent normal and that this post-accident person is the new you. Its 100% anxiety ridden and causes anger...absolutely! I see a therapist to help deal with all these emotions and stress. It has been a big help. Maybe try and see if talking with someone helps to work through this loss of your old self.

Just as a side note, i tried to go back to 12 hour nights at my 14 week mark, and lasted 2 months in incredible pain and exhaustion and my neurologist had an intervention and pulled me out of work again for the next 3 months. She said that i cant go from 0 to 60 and expect to continue to heal. So maybe going back to 10 hour shifts is not the best thing right away, but maybe a slow gradual return would help. Sadly, for me this means i wont be going back to my ICU (no 8 hour shifts there), so i will be using our employee assistance program to find a temporary position in january when i am cleared to go back and work there until im well enough to work a 12 hour shift again. Just something to think about and discuss with your neurologist or your occ health program. Good luck to you, hoping you have a pain free day!