nursing career without touching people

Nurses Relations

Published

I am about to graduate with my BSN and I absolutely do not want to be a nurse that has patient contact. My second semester of nursing school I had an exposure at clinical and I have since been diagnosed with PTSD and OCD. I have been taking medication and I am currently going to therapy but I am absolutely terrified of anything relating touching people of any nursing tasks. I was wondering what I can do with my degree that would not entail touching people (preferably office work) with no experience. Thank you so much

Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.

I can't imagine a place like that...most of the plans I deal with do not require a precertification for a CT scan at all... for the 2 that do, I can pre cert on the spot...provided the MD's office can provide me with medical necessity-but that's done right over the phone..it would have taken about 5 minutes tops..I really don't understand that case at all...I would have to see the entire story.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
There are ways to offer helpful, respectful, constructive criticism. I'm not saying anyone in particular but the major tone of the replies seemed to me to be demeaning. I respect your opinion but stand wholeheartedly up for mine:)

:up:Absolutely...as I to mine :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Far grosser than even a patient with oozing sores are the crusty med cart keys, med carts, and phones that scare the beejus out of me. I never count until I clean the keys off in a sink. and clean the cart with alcohol. And I refuse to touch a phone until I clean it, every single time- wet wipes are handy for that, then a paper towel- real quick. I started that after a trach patient, using the desk phone, coughed and ecpectorated a massive gob of green sputum, thet literally dripped off the mouth piece of the phone, onto the desk. Simple things like that make an impression on me, is all.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry, Med-Surg, ED, Psych.

This has got to be a joke! What I am reading on here from the OP is beyond the context of rational thinking.

Can a chef cook without touching food?

Can a firefighter put out a fire without water?

If you've stayed in the nursing program this long, you may as well finish it off and graduate. At least it will look good on a resume

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cath Lab/ ICU.
. I started that after a trach patient, using the desk phone, coughed and ecpectorated a massive gob of green sputum, thet literally dripped off the mouth piece of the phone, onto the desk. Simple things like that make an impression on me, is all.

Oh wow. I could have gone my whole life without that mental image in my head...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I thought I would stop by and give people a quick update. I am now just weeks away from graduating and I am doing much better now. I think the medication has had time to take full effect and my weekly counseling appointments have helped. For the first time in months I am not petrified of touching people and I have made great strides in my personal life as well as school life. I am excited for my practicum and I am looking forward to my future nursing career. I now have learned tools to succeed and while I know I can revert back to my OCD tendencies, I am optamistic about what the future holds. Thank you to all of you who supported me and I am sorry I have been unable to write back private messages (i still am figuring out this site). Thanks :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.

Good to hear! Good luck to you! and if you still feel the same way after you start practicing, there are options open to you...case management for example, you just need to get a little experience under your belt!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

I am so happy to hear that! Good luck. :redbeathe

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Infectious Disease, Neuro, Research.
I thought I would stop by and give people a quick update. I am now just weeks away from graduating and I am doing much better now. I think the medication has had time to take full effect and my weekly counseling appointments have helped. For the first time in months I am not petrified of touching people and I have made great strides in my personal life as well as school life. I am excited for my practicum and I am looking forward to my future nursing career. I now have learned tools to succeed and while I know I can revert back to my OCD tendencies, I am optamistic about what the future holds. Thank you to all of you who supported me and I am sorry I have been unable to write back private messages (i still am figuring out this site). Thanks :)

Yeeeaaah! Congratulations!:D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I thought I would stop by and give people a quick update. I am now just weeks away from graduating and I am doing much better now. I think the medication has had time to take full effect and my weekly counseling appointments have helped. For the first time in months I am not petrified of touching people and I have made great strides in my personal life as well as school life. I am excited for my practicum and I am looking forward to my future nursing career. I now have learned tools to succeed and while I know I can revert back to my OCD tendencies, I am optamistic about what the future holds. Thank you to all of you who supported me and I am sorry I have been unable to write back private messages (i still am figuring out this site). Thanks :)

:ancong!: I am sooooo happy for you!!!!!!!! I wish you the best!!! :hug:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That's awesome to hear! I had been wondering about you. I know you are much happier now. I'm sure clinical is a much better experience now.

I wish you the best! So happy for you!

:ancong!:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.

I am thrilled to hear this! OCD is a crippling disorder and a lot of people simply don't realize this.

Also, the reason you can't send Private Messages is that you haven't posted enough. I believe the requirement is ten posts before a PM can be sent.

Please continue to update us, we are all pulling for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment