Nurses with asthma

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi!

I'm prenursing, hoping to enter nursing school next fall. I've had asthma for years and I've always dealt with it, but 3 weeks ago I had a really bad attack that caused me to stay over night (my first time being sort of admitted). It's been 3 weeks and I am doing better, although not 100% yet.

I had no issues with my asthma when I was working as an LNA. Now I'm worried. Is asthma a deal breaker for nursing? With the cleaning chemicals and exposure to different things...do I need to give up my dream?

Thank you all!

Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.
the only time my asthma has acted up on me was when I was coding someone and pumping their chest...the adrenaline rush kicked up an asthma attack - quelled quickly with some caffeine and my rescue inhaler

I was eventually designated as permanent drug pusher for that very reason. BTW, it was not adrenaline, it was physical effort.

Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

I have asthma and work as both a medic, and a nurse. None of the chemicals seem to bother me, but I am also on a long acting beta-agonist/steroid combination (Advair), so not much of anything really bothers my airways anymore thankfully. Occasionally the smoke at a structure fire will set me off, but it is usually mild. It all depends on what your airways react to is really what it comes down to and whether or not you are taking a controller medication.

Annie

Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

My asthma also kept me out of the Navy, but it is pretty mild. I work for an allergy/asthma doc. You should find a specialist.

I think everyone has already added good comments. I just wanted to raise my hand as another asthmatic. I work on a pulmonary floor (great, huh?) with lots of nasty bugs. I get sick about 2x a year, about the same as before I was a nurse, and I deal with the asthma exacerbation the same way as I always have. The only issue I had at work was an instant attack to a doctor's perfume, which they shouldn't have been wearing anyway-- and again that could have just as easily happened in public.

Thank you all so much for your input!

I'm now on Flovent 2x a day which seems to be helping. I also carry my albuterol around like a security blanket. Still on the mend. Got my air purifier going and trying to keep up on allergens in the house. Not easy with 5 furbabies.

You are all awesome, thank you again!

I have my rescue inhaler on the ready too. Like many posts have said, I too have asthma & have worked in several settings.

Don't be afraid to let your manager know you're an asthmatic but are well-controlled with your meds. I let my coworkers know too. It means I get a different assignment when we have certain issues: painting, waxing of floors, & respiratory isolation. I ask the night nurses about any patients with strong perfumes before I make my assignments. We look out for each other where I work.

I have to avoid respiratory isolation patients because I can't wear a mask. Everyone is great about helping. Our ward clerk even stopped me at the elevator one night and said we had the floor buffers out, so they look out for me.

Even when doing home health, we look out for each other. We have a nurse who is allergic to cats; I have those patients to see when I work for them (PRN). One is highly afraid of dogs; we ask about animals during our intake calls (where we also get directions to the home).

Thank you! I have anxiety as well and the side effects from some of the meds I've been on have made me quite paranoid and worrisome. I really want to be a nurse. I think this episode just freaked me out. My oxygen dipped to high 80s when I walked and they gave me so much albuterol my heart jumped to 160-165 bpm. Which has never happened to me before. Nor had I spent the night in the hospital. I'm still recovering 3 weeks later.

I am a nurse with severe asthma. On top of which I'm currently pregnant. I found a pulmonlogist that I love and up until August my asthma had been ok. Then it was all down hill from there. Recently (last tuesday) got off the ventilator after 6 days with status asthmatics. Develop an asthma action plan, see a pulmonologist, take your meds!

I am a nurse with severe asthma. On top of which I'm currently pregnant. I found a pulmonlogist that I love and up until August my asthma had been ok. Then it was all down hill from there. Recently (last tuesday) got off the ventilator after 6 days with status asthmatics. Develop an asthma action plan, see a pulmonologist, take your meds!

That's scary! Glad you are doing better! Has your asthma always been that bad?

I didn't even develop asthma until I was 16 (crazy I know). Since moving from NY to SC my asthma seems to just be getting worse. Usually hospitalized 2-3 times a year, this was my 3rd intubation in 6 years. At work the chemicals aren't triggers really but physical exertion seems to do it for me. Currently out of work and can't go back until sometime after baby gets here (6 more weeks), but my job has been amazingly understanding and try to work with me.

I didn't even develop asthma until I was 16 (crazy I know). Since moving from NY to SC my asthma seems to just be getting worse. Usually hospitalized 2-3 times a year, this was my 3rd intubation in 6 years. At work the chemicals aren't triggers really but physical exertion seems to do it for me. Currently out of work and can't go back until sometime after baby gets here (6 more weeks), but my job has been amazingly understanding and try to work with me.

I moved from ny to vt when I was 10. Was diagnosed around 14/15. Never had asthma this bad. I also smoked. I know, I'm an idiot. But I haven't touched one since going to the ER 27 days ago.

Were you conscious on the ventilator? I'm glad your work is working with you. I think I was possibly fired even though I have doctors notes.

Specializes in CVICU CCRN.

I developed asthma with pregnancy. Physical activity is fine for me, but I react to chemicals and allergens. My asthma was bad enough during pregnancy that I ended up living in the hospital for a while (read: 4 months). With my daughter I actually had a terbutaline pump back when they used those for preterm labor (and also as a potent bronchodilator)

As a nurse, I haven't had too many issues. I'm vigilant about hand hygiene, avoid getting sick as much as possible, and stay away when they're cleaning rooms. When I was in the OR, I actually had more problems though. Bovie plume, joint cement, (methylmethacrylate) and other things we used combined with wearing a mask all day caused several flare ups for me. I know many nurses who have developed asthma since working in the OR, which I find interesting.

I find that corticosteroids make me wound up and rather anxious, OP. The inhaled ones aren't so bad, but anytime I get bad enough to require oral or IV, look out. I'm wound like a top. I was on advair for years until I switched to Dulera recently. I love it - has me under better control than ever before. Keep on top of your symptoms and I bet you will do just fine!

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