[nurse-to-be1000]

I am a new nursing student in western MA who has had ankle problems all my life where I now have a brace I wear. My concern is that I am having lots more ankle pain than I did when I first applied to nursing school and I am concerned about getting through clinicals and getting to classes on time.
Two of my classes have a five minute window and two others have a fifteen minute window between them. I am trying to console myself that others may have trouble since we are a group that all takes the same classes and if anyone has to go pee (I know nurses don't do that so why not start training as a student) or stay and ask a question that they won't make it on time. I spoke with the disability center and we looked at parking and for the most part it looks ok but I never thought to look at the passing time between classes and the proximity of the buildings to each other. I think I am stuck this semester since they say they need a few weeks heads up to change classrooms (I realize one of them can't be changed due to lab). When I first spoke with disabilities services they assumed my classes would all be in the same building or cluster of buildings so I wasn't concerned. Also I figure nurses are expected to walk a lot so how am I going to survive clinicals?
How do others deal with mobility issues especially starting out? I hate asking for assistance but have learned to do that with other problems. Should I give up my dream of nursing? I have spent 3 years doing the prereqs at night to get this far. I have seen two nursing assistants at my local hospital who have gait issues (so I know it can be done at least at that level and particular hospital) but never got up the nerve to ask them about how it affected there ability to get the job done. My goal is to become an NP. Thanks ahead of time.

[BBFRN]

I can definitely empathize with you- I have been wearing a boot cast for the last 6 weeks at work. I have plantar fasciitis and tarsal tunnel syndrome, both caused by 12 years of nursing in fast-paced areas. I will start a desk job in a couple of weeks, because of this problem.

Don't give up your dream of being a nurse. There are areas you can work in that are not so physically demanding after a couple years of floor experience. My best advice to you is to keep on going with your education while you work, so you can move into more administrative type positions later on. Talk with your orthopod, and see what s/he says. Best of luck to you. If you decide to change majors, our ultrasound techs are making more than the RNs in my area, and they get to sit down a lot more.

[nurse-to-be1000]

I start my first clinical tomorrow and I am stressed about getting to it. I was originally planning to drive but if I drive it will cost me $30 each day and I am in clinical 2x a week. I was planning to drive due to ankle pain and stability and so I wouldn't wear it out before clinical but I don't think I can afford to pay $60 a week or more when we go to clinical twice a week. I called the hospital to find out if there is a discount for people with disabilities but there isn't. If I was a patient I would pay only $12. I guess I am going to have to bite the bullet and walk tomorrow and if I am in pain by clinical I will have to grin and bear. I just took some aleve to try and stay ahead of it. Any advice?

[BBFRN]

Maybe start your walk a little earlier, so you don't have to rush. And take your breaks. Find a place to sit down and chart. Of course, ice your foot down when you get home. Let us know how your first day goes, and good luck to you!

[nurse-to-be1000]

Originally Posted by Baptized_By_Fire

Maybe start your walk a little earlier, so you don't have to rush. And take your breaks. Find a place to sit down and chart. Of course, ice your foot down when you get home. Let us know how your first day goes, and good luck to you!

Thanks Baptized by Fire. Well, my first day was easy since we just did paperwork. I mentioned my ankle instability just that to my clinical instructor just so she would know and she wanted to know how I thought I would be a nurse. I am tired of everyone questioning me about this factor because it is only increasing my doubts (the knowledge that others with physical issues have survived before me is what keeps me going).

I took a cab to the hospital this morning and walked home this afternoon (its about a mile) but I don't think I will always be able to walk home since my ankle is hurting from the walk and we didn't walk around at all today in clinical.

Well, I need to go get ready for class. Thanks for being there.

[BBFRN]

No problem! Talk with your school regarding having to walk a mile to the hospital. They should be able to accommodate you in some way with this. Check out the students with disabilities clause in your student handbook. All schools are required to have some kind of policy, and you might be able to come to a reasonable solution with regard to walking so far to the clinical site.

Don't worry about people questioning you. They may be curious, and it could be a good time to educate your peers. Keep persevering- you'll be fine.