http://allnurses.com en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:11:31 GMT vBulletin 60 http://img.an-file.info/misc/rss.jpg http://allnurses.com http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/need-vent-disabled-439609-new.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:01:27 GMT Sorry this is a little long and unwieldy.


You know I don't look, at first, like I have any kind of disability or limitations. I work very hard to maintain my posture and not limp or stoop. Now, I do have a disabled parking permit. Have done for years. Some woman in my class saw that I parked in disabled and has taken it upon herself to start making smart arsed remarks in front of me such as:

that isn't parking for mentally disabled
you shouldn't be parking there you don't look disabled

Not only that, she has drawn the attention of my entire class to this by suggesting to other people in the class that I am using someone else's disable permit (they have mentioned it to me).

So last night I am walking to my car with a friend from class (who happens to know about my condition and how it affects me). This woman tags along and when we stop at my car -- I just knew she was going to say something -- I wish I had lagged behind to avoid a confrontation. Then off she goes..."do you mind if I ask why you park there?". Finally the woman is direct! Now, frankly I do mind that she knows. So I just said, "I have a disability that qualifies me for a disabled parking permit". Then she makes the same remark, "It's not for mentally disabled ya' know". I confess I nearly lost the plot.

So I asked if she was suggesting that I was parking there illegally. She starts going on about some friend of hers that uses someone else's parking permit (or something like that) and how it "isn't right". I lit up like a Christmas tree. Essentially I told her that I was sick of her assassinating my character amongst our classmates by suggesting this and that the remarks about being"mentally disabled" weren't funny, but mean and upsetting. I also invited her to take my permit number, lift the phone and call the Dept. of Transportation to report me -- if she really felt that I was doing this illegally or the shut up about it...permanently.

Then I got in my car and burst into tears -- like a big baby. I hate letting people upset me like that!

This had been brewing for weeks since she first saw me parking at clinical and now I am embarrassed that I lost it -- I feel incredibly defensive. From the first time I met this woman I was wary of her (she has a remark for everything). She is not the sort of person I would do anything but keep at arms length. The problem is we are a small class and an even smaller clinical group. Even before she made the remarks about parking I seemed to be in her sights -- 1st day in skills lab she called me retarded because I couldn't find her brachial pulse (so we were off to a great start).

I have never been the thin skinned sort. In fact quite the opposite. I don't mind joking around with people or even sending myself up. What I do know is when someone is joking versus being unpleasant. Thus far I have worked really hard to ignore her jibes in class. What I find odd is she always makes these remarks in front of other people. When we have been one-on-one she never says anything unpleasant.

I have fairly severe arthritis affecting my spine, sacroiliac, shoulders and hips -- thankfully not peripheral joints. I've had it since I was 18 yo (some 20+ years). Apart from a great deal of chronic pain and perpetual fatigue you would never know I had anything wrong with me unless you observed me quite closely -- e.g. I've lost nearly all ROM in my neck.

Generally speaking I don't divulge this information classmates at NS or employers. I consider it private and no one's business. I keep myself as healthy as I can and have learned a multitude of strategies to manage pain so I rarely need to take a narcotic for pain (they kill the pain but I can't stand how they affect me otherwise).

I am not ashamed of the condition but I am VERY aware of how people judge well in advance of obtaining information and I am well aware that in our relatively small community, where I intend to work as a nurse, this sort of info can affect job prospects. I know it shouldn't but we all know it can and does.

Still I feel like an arse. I have three more semesters of this woman. My heart sank when we were assigned the same clinical. Seriously I just want to be completely ignored by her. I am sure class today will be a complete treat. ]]> Nurses with Disabilities Forum DolceVita http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/need-vent-disabled-439609.html http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/im-always-tired-439256-new.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:51:33 GMT Hey everyone, Well, it seems that everytime I need to sit down and study i feel so tired!... Hey everyone,

Well, it seems that everytime I need to sit down and study i feel so tired! :yawn: I've thought about getting on meds but no dr. will prescribe. Does anyone have any tips on maintaining stamina and energy throughout my studies?

Thanks! ]]> Nurses with Disabilities Forum want to do good 86 http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/im-always-tired-439256.html http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/anosmic-436621-new.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:33:59 GMT Any anosmic (unable to smell) nurses out there? I am one and so far it's beneficial. Just curious ]]> Nurses with Disabilities Forum JayVArn http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/anosmic-436621.html http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/work-related-back-436520-new.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:38:46 GMT I was working at CTICU and got back injury (Disk problem) around May. I was also going to school to... I was working at CTICU and got back injury (Disk problem) around May. I was also going to school to RN -BS-MS but I had to withdraw school since I couldn't sit for even short period of time. My back is getting better with PT and I heard it can take a while to heal the back completely. I am very afraid to go back to regular duty or even modified duty at this point since it can really hurt my back again. I am only 2 year experience 29 yr old nurse. I heard so much bad stories about the back surgery and I want to avoid for sure if I can as 99% of people around me told me "don't do the surgery". I would like to ask any advices to all of experience nurses if there are any suggestion to my career path. Are there any units or department that I can go with this back issue? Thank you. :spin: ]]> Nurses with Disabilities Forum kmihaek http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/work-related-back-436520.html http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/pain-medication-narcotic-436049-new.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:49:28 GMT OK Chaps... So I read some threads and something disturbed me a little bit. Many people seem to... OK Chaps...

So I read some threads and something disturbed me a little bit. Many people seem to work places where they cannot be on pain medication while at work. I have a chronic painful condition which has me on NSAIDS perpetually. However, it does "go acute" from time to time and I need to bring in the heavy guns (some narcotic type pain killer). Separately, I have "rescue treatment" agreed with my doc for migraines (again very rare but requires promethazine w/ narcotic) to prevent me having to go to ER for shots in the bum. In total I might have to take a proper pain killer 3-4 times a year.

So my question is...is it fairly standard for nurses to not be permitted narcotic pain medication while on duty?

Don't get me wrong, I am not stupid and understand the effects a narcotic can have and the dangers, potentially, to a patient. I just need a bit more info from people in the "real" nursing world. ]]> Nurses with Disabilities Forum DolceVita http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/pain-medication-narcotic-436049.html http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/pre-nursing-student-435693-new.html Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:58:39 GMT I am a pre nursing student, currently (at least, that's what the school calls me - I can apply for the program itself this winter). I worked for two months in a Nursing Residence in dietary before I took a fall there. I have a herniated disk and severe bursitis in both hips. I can't stand for more than a couple hours without intense pain, currently, and often am scared to work at all. I go to PT and see specialists consistently, and the next step is cortisone. I am considering a less physical job while I'm pursuing my nursing degree in hopes that this will help with healing - along with an active lifestyle outside of work.

I have this small fear that this is going to affect my career choice, but I'm refusing to give up. If anyone has been in this position though, I would love some input. I've always been active, never had problems like this until my fall - and they're probably dropping my comp soon -

Does this seem like a good thing? I mean, this would give me years to work with this and manage the pain so it seems smart to me, and because I can barely work in my current job, my priorities are shifting to the financial burdens of now.

Also, has anyone had cortisone shots? My doctor has assured me there are no long term effects but I've read and heard many different things.

I don't know, I guess the past few months have made me a little skittish, I guess I just keep pushing through and try to get stronger. I hate missing work because I love the residents there but I guess I'm just paranoid that this is never gunna go away.

Thanks. ]]> Nurses with Disabilities Forum prettyindecent http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/pre-nursing-student-435693.html http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/prospective-nurse-questions-435459-new.html Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:15:30 GMT Hey all, this is my first post here so bear with me. I'm a new college graduate currently enrolled in an AmeriCorps program and looking at what to do after I get out. I've always been interested in public service positions, and after some years of toying with the idea of becoming a police officer, fireman, etc. my mom suggested nursing to me. She's an ICU nurse at a local hospital with 20+ years of experience under her belt.

Now, I've been looking around at different opportunities for nursing education and I have some questions. I graduated college with a BA in English, so I have little to no science or mathematics courses. Plus, I have a learning disability in math, and while I'm not a stranger to hard work I do worry about not being able to be effective in class or on the job. My mom says that once you're on the job much of the formulas are taken care of for you, but I bet instructors still want you to know the nuts-and-bolts of theory. Last but not least, I do have a manageable speech impediment.

I've looked at accelerated BSN programs, and I am interested in them but I don't have many of the prerequisites and hesitant about my math and science skills. Do people think that a potential employer would look well upon a BA and an Associates in Nursing? To be honest, at the moment I'm leaning more towards an Associates because I'm wondering whether or not a second Bachelors would be little more than a lateral move for me.

Any comments, questions, suggestions, etc. would be very welcome, both in regards to my questions about education and about my fears about my disabilities. I'm interested in the more emergent side of nursing--ER, flight nurse, etc.--if that would help anyone with their comments. ]]> Nurses with Disabilities Forum MertonFoster http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/prospective-nurse-questions-435459.html http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/re-entry-after-435137-new.html Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:36:16 GMT I am an RN who became disabled in July 2007, after a serious illness.I had acute pancreatitis,... I am an RN who became disabled in July 2007, after a serious illness.I had acute pancreatitis, acute respiratory failure, & ended up vented & in a coma for a few days. When I came out of the coma, I had gait disturbance, balance issues, & loss of stamina & strength. I was living in Oregon, & relocated to Iowa to recuperate near family. I've gone through PT & OT, and speech therapy. Had to use a walker for a time, then a cane. As time went on, I improved, & grew stronger. Now, I'm great. Sometimes, my legs are a bit weak, in that when I go to stand, sometimes, I can't on the first try, & have to try again. I always make it on the second try. I am great, though, and ready to get back to work.
My work history is that I graduated nursing school in late 1995, began work as an RN in 1996. I worked up until July 2007. I worked acute care all that time, mostly orthopaedics. I'm having a hard time getting back to acute care. I have tried long term care, but was let go from one job & had to quit another when I got sick with a viral URI (there's more to that but that would make this ungodly long).
I keep hearing about a nursing shortage, I am not sure there is one. Not in Iowa anyhow. I get interviewed & rejected. I suck at long term care, but I acknowledge it's hard work. Harder than acute care. I have heard there is freeze on nursing jobs in Des Moines, & so I am starting to look further afield, like Nebraska or Wisconsin.
Is there something else I should be doing? When I can afford it, I plan to work on getting some CEU's, esp in medications, assessments, & documentation. I have also begun to consider nursing refresher courses, although Iowa has no programs that I can find. There's always Missouri & Nebraska. I'm trying just for some stopgap jobs at this point, just to keep the rent paid & lights on.:paw: My German Shepherd says don't forget the dogfood.
Any helpful ideas would be awesome. I know I can do the work, I think about it all the time & I'd give most anything to get back to it.
Thanks in advance!
Susan ]]> Nurses with Disabilities Forum faroe78 http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/re-entry-after-435137.html http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/visual-problems-nursing-434227-new.html Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:38:15 GMT Anyone else here have a visual problem & work as a nurse? I'm a 29 year female. I' married and have two daughters. I am clinically blind in my left eye and am an LPN. I was born clinically blind in the left eye because of a congenital cataract and lens abnormality in that eye. Looking at me you can't tell anything is wrong though. It has never affected my ability to read, drive, or function in life. I function just like anyone else with 20/20 vision basically. I have 20/20 vision in my good eye with my glasses on. I have never met any other nurses with visual disabilities in person, but have emailed a few online. I was just wondering if there were any other nurses here with similar visual disabilities I could connect with? Thanks... :specs: ]]> Nurses with Disabilities Forum andreasmom02 http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/visual-problems-nursing-434227.html http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/moderate-hearing-loss-433722-new.html Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:04:10 GMT Hi, Im a hard of hearing individual who wears two Bte aides. I have completed my associateds... Hi,

Im a hard of hearing individual who wears two Bte aides. I have completed my associateds degree at my local community college with the help of nobody. But today 10yrs later my hearing has dropped to where I do miss some parts of conversations but Im not afraid to check myself and say repeat.
So anyways, I sent a email to one of those private career schools for the lpn program that Im interested in since I use to work as a CNA, ...asking if that make provisions for me for a note taker and that my teachers speak loud and face me. I use an amplified phone and stethocope to accomdate my needs.
My reply after two weeks was that they wont make provisions.
So my guess is to apply back into a community college or university where they offer help to people with disabilities. Just sharing my story.

the allycat ]]> Nurses with Disabilities Forum allycat4 http://allnurses.com/nurses-disabilities-forum/moderate-hearing-loss-433722.html