Cut Right Thumb- Can I Still Be a Nurse?

Students Pre-Nursing

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I have 9 and a half fingers-my right thumb is the half one. Am I still qualified to be a nurse?

I am thinking of getting BSN in college but I'm afraid that I might not be qualified. What really scares me is that I might not be able to do stuff like using an injection with my right hand(dominant) because of my thumb and I'm afraid of what people might say.

Your thoughts, please?

Orion81RN

962 Posts

Hello. I think its completely possible to still be a nurse. Sure, you would need to modify your technique with syringes, but with practice, I'm sure it can be done. There will be some things that you would need to modify or even use your left hand for (like the roller clamp on IV lines,) but I don't think you should let anyone tell you that you shouldn't become a nurse.

You very well may encounter a teacher who might tell you that. DON'T listen to them. I have a bladder disease that can be pretty debilitating at times with the pain. I confided in one of my instructors about it. That was stupid of me. She told me I should reconsider being a nurse. 5 years an RN now, and I feel comfortable saying in my head, "screw her and her opinion." Its absolutely challenging, but I don't regret becoming a nurse for a single second.

You will face some challenges. Overcome them. í ½í¸Š

Davey Do

10,476 Posts

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Welcome to AN.com, Thumberino!

Due to an open comminuted fx w/ ORIF of my R arm suffered in an MVA, I have asupination of my hand. It was a booger when I worked in OR gloving the Surgeons, but I taught myself a technique to overcome the limitation. Fact is, I lost the tip of the middle finger on my L hand in a work accident, required a skin graft, but still learned how to play the guitar.

Every now and then someone will comment on the skin graft on my R arm, but it's never any big deal. Some even say something like, "I've known you for years and never noticed!"

I do believe Thumberino, that if you want to be a Nurse, you can and will overcome.

The best to you!

mrsboots87

1,761 Posts

Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

I work with a nurse that has only one hand. She had a hand amputation at the wrist many years ago. She is still able to put in fillets and IVs. Can draw her own meds up in syringes. Almost everything. And what she does struggle with, she just asks for help and offers something in return if everyone is busy. Half a thumb shouldn't stop you.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN

1 Article; 4,094 Posts

Specializes in Oncology.

I work with a nurse missing multiple fingers who manages to do everything just fine

roser13, ASN, RN

6,504 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
I have 9 and a half fingers-my right thumb is the half one. Am I still qualified to be a nurse?

I am thinking of getting BSN in college but I'm afraid that I might not be qualified. What really scares me is that I might not be able to do stuff like using an injection with my right hand(dominant) because of my thumb and I'm afraid of what people might say.

Your thoughts, please?

You will need to overcome your fear of what people may say.

Kyrshamarks, BSN, RN

1 Article; 631 Posts

Heck, I work with nurses that have no brains. A thumb would be nothing

Davey Do

10,476 Posts

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Heck, I work with nurses that have no brains. A thumb would be nothing

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gonzo1, ASN, RN

1,739 Posts

Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

I've encountered several "challenged" nurses over the years, deformed hands, arms, deaf (with hearing aids). They were all awesome.

Go for it.

Julius Seizure

1 Article; 2,282 Posts

Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

I used to work with a physician in the pediatric ICU that was missing half of a finger. He still did everything that all the other docs did, including placing arterial lines and central lines, intubating, lumbar punctures, etc. If he can still do his job, then you can definitely still be a nurse :up:

My Great-Grandma lost her arm in WWII. Her house was bombed in the Blitz (in London). She had guests at the time the sirens went off, so she put her guests in the shelter and she hid somewhere else.... her home was bombed, she lost her whole arm. My Nan (her daughter) lost fingers too. I only ever knew them like that (obviously). Didn't make a sniff of difference to doing anything and everything.

Of course you can be a nurse with half a thumb. You can be ANYTHING you want with half a thumb.

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