The SPINE

I have hesitated writing about my job basically because I didn't know what the crap I was doing. It is my first job as a nurse practitioner and a total career change. I have been an R.N. working mostly with pediatrics and now I am all about THE SPINE. Did I mention that I knew NOTHING about the spine. The job is at UNC in Chapel Hill which is a great opportunity that I couldn't pass up, so now I am trying to learn everything. It is pretty intimidating to try to read MRI's, learn all the pathophysiology, and keep up with 2 surgeons. I basically work in a clinic in the hospital trying to weed out surgical candidates. It is difficult dealing with people in pain, much of it chronic. I hope I don't become jaded and evil. "Oh, it is just neck pain! No radiating symptoms into your arms? GET OUT, your wasting my time!!!" But I am learning a ton. The perks of the job have been watching surgeries. Orthopaedic surgeons are the carpenters of surgery. Today I watched the surgeon hammer a nail in a lady's back and vertebrae, fill the collapsed vertebrae with balloon to pump it back up and fill the space with cement. (Kyphoplasty) Pretty cool. The really crazy part was the lady was AWAKE during the procedure. Maybe one day I will get to scrub in. I don't know how I will contribute?
So, now I am thinking about the spine night and day. My dreams haunt me by quizzing me on the dermatomes! It is slowly getting better. At least good enough to admit on our blog what my job is.