Vicki Erickson
Since we direct care workers have the highest rate of on-the-job injuries of any profession, I guess it’s not surprising that I’ve had several in my 24 years on the job. Not all were bad enough to result in a worker’s compensation claim, but the latest one almost cost me my career.
On January 1, 2008, I threw out my back while lifting a patient with a nurse. When I got off work that night, I turned on the heated seats in my car to try to help my back relax. That didn’t help, so I took a couple of pain pills when I got home. I thought I would be fine by morning, but throughout the night it got worse.
I followed all the proper channels to resolve the problem. I saw the doctor my employer sent me to every week for a while and went to physical therapy three times a week. And then I got an MRI that showed a tear to a disc in my back.
Since I had had the same injury four years before at another job, my employer dropped my worker’s compensation claim. I wound up getting a spinal fusion, which involved putting two rods and four screws in my back, and spent 10 and a half months out of work while I healed.
The doctor said I could go back to work on March 17, but I wasn’t allowed to lift more than 10 pounds. That meant no CNA work, of course, and the facility had nothing else for me to do. On March 28 I was let go because my Family and Medical Leave Act time ran out. I was told that I could get my job back once I was medically released, but that didn’t happen.
The doctors told me that I would probably never work in healthcare again, but I proved them wrong. Healthcare is what I have always known and what I love, and nobody is going to tell me I can’t do it. After putting in job applications all over town, I got my current job in a nursing home.
I would love to work in a hospital again, but I think my back injury scares them. I think the best excuse I heard from an employer who turned me down was: “Thank you for applying, but we have hired someone more qualified.” Funny, before I was injured, I was more than qualified to do that job.
What would I like to see change so that direct care workers don’t get injured so much on the job? That is really a hard question to answer.
I would like to see employers give nurses and direct care workers a skills test annually on lifting. I would also like to see a little more time in the classroom spent on proper body mechanics, proper use of mechanical and electronic lifting devices.
I wish no one else ever had to go through all the pain and suffering of having major back surgery, intense rehab, and trying to find a new job like I did. If you enjoy and feel fulfilled in the profession you are in, you should not have to give it up.
Be safe – and take care of your back. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re doing a lift. Your back is the only one you’ll ever have.
Vicki K Erickson CNA/AC
Direct Care Worker Specialist
Direct Care Alliance
What a story! Thanks so much for writing a blog about work-related injuries. Most people probably don’t know that direct care work is one of the most dangerous jobs in America. You are doing a great service by sharing your experiences.
I understand where you are coming from, I too have had a back injury while working in a hospital and was told I would have to find another line of work. I proved them wrong too. KUDOES to you!!!
Vicki – Thanks for sharing your story. I am sorry to say that your story is all too common in health care, namely another highly committed and skill professional unable to work because of unsafe work conditions. I agree with your comments about the need for more training about back health and safety but would like to note that most experts in the field including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (www.cdc.gov/niosh) advise that there is no “safe lift” and that health care workers should only do patient transfers with assistive devices/lifts. Unfortunately, all too few direct care workers, especially those working in home care have access to such equipment. We must work together to educate policy makers about the disabling injuries that end the careers of too many DCWs and to mandate protection for DCWs. jane
Vicki, You have my heart in your hand. This is a huge problem with Direct Care Workers.
I have been an aide for over 30 years. My body tells me this is the last year for the physical work. The result of lifting thousands of pounds is horrific. Today when you walk in some of the nursing centers, the aides are picking up and transferring residents alone weighing much more then them. I always encourage them not to and tell them my injuries I know I have to my back and neck.
As far as the assisted devices, yes, we need to use them much more. Transferring, no matter what, will result in injuries.
Though there is no training method that is 100 percent fool proof in avoiding on the job injuries, we have come up with a training program that has been very effective in reducing injuries when doing lifts and patient transfers.
Our program has reduced the number of injuries by 80% and substantially reduced associated costs. And in those cases where injuries occured, we have been able to reduce the severity of the injury, making it unlikely that someone’s career would be derailed.
What makes our program unique from others is that we specialize in those environments where changing the work environment is impractical or impossible. Yes, assistive devices are nice, but in many cases, one does not immediate access to them. That is where our injury reduction programs shine.
Moreover, with our new licensing program, any health care facility can offer this training to their health care workers inhouse on a continuous basis. For more info about what we do, go to http://www.psrsafety.com
Thanks Vicki for your story. I’ve been in health care as a nurse aide for 26 years. You are so right, your back is the only one you have. Care for it, and don’t be afraid to report our work related injuries.
Thanks, Brenda
Thanks Vicki for your view with this major issue!! I am a CNA with 20 years experience. We all work so hard to please the patient and the company we work for. We need to put ourselves first again. We should not stand for all the responsability that is put on us daily. I would like to tell all healthcare workers to be careful out there. Not only can you hurt your back, shoulders, neck, hands, but you can also hurt your knees. My injury was caused by preparing a patient for the shower that was 200-250lbs. After getting her all cleaned up and cranked up in the hoyerlift I pulled her away from the bed. I started to turn her toward the shower chair that was close by. I felt something pull on the right side of my knee. Long story short!! I ended up with a meniscus tear that led to Post Traumatic Arthritis. I had to have surgery and can’t say much more because this is still an ongoing Workers Comp Case. Thanks for listening!!!