Back surgery during nursing school

barcode120x, RN, NP · Mar 2, 2021

First, I would clarify with the professors as well as the director of the program in terms of accommodation. If they can't accommodate you during clinicals, then of course you would have to wait until graduation. I wouldn't expect them to accommodate you for your surgery and healing process.

Now IF they can accommodate you and your entire recovery process, I personally still would wait until after graduation. You still have to finish this 2nd semester and you have another year to go after that, why bother risking your seat? You have to assume the surgery goes well. Then you have to assume that you recover with no complications. You have to assume physical therapy to get you back on your feet quickly/on time. You have to assume personal life, business life, and educational life doesn't get in your way the next 1.5 years. There's a lot of assumptions that things will go according to plan. Not only that, you will be pushing your body to the limits by continuing with school work and clinicals when it should be resting/recovering.

On the other hand, if this scoliosis is impairing you from performing RN skills during clinical and/or the progression of the scoliosis is expected to worsen over the next year, then surgery may be warranted. This is a serious discussing between your PCP, surgeon, and your program director.

Lastly, jobs will always be there. You have the CNA experience, I think you already are a step ahead in terms of employment. If you work at a hospital, then you are way ahead of the employment game. There's no point in worrying about jobs if you haven't finished nursing school and passed your boards. There's also no point in getting a job if you can't physically perform the job duties due to injury. Recover and heal first. Back surgery isn't something to think light of and shouldn't assume you will be "back on your feet in no time."

TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN · Mar 2, 2021

6 hours ago, Laura H said:

I am a 26 y/o female. I am currently in my 2nd semester of nursing school. Classes are online via zoom due to covid except for clinicals. I have scoliosis and today I found out I need back surgery to correct it as my curve got much worse. The recovery for such a huge surgery would be 4-6 weeks minimum for desk work type activities, which clinicals obviously are not.

If I wait to get the surgery until after graduation I delay my employment opportunities and Ya girl needs to be bringing in a paycheck once she graduates. If I do the surgery within the next 3 months, I can do most of my required work because nursing school is mostly online due to covid but would not be able to do as much in clinicals as other students.

Im not sure how accommodating or understanding my college would be to that, but I am going to ask. If I heal like a typical patient, theoretically I could still show up, just wouldn't be able to lift patients or chase patients down the hall, but could pass meds do dressing changes and start and hang ivs as well as most of a patient admission assessment. Im a CNA at the hospital so its not like I have no relevant experience, and by the time I graduate I should be healed enough to start working as a floor nurse right away. What would you do? Wait till graduation, or go ahead and get the surgery?

I think it really depends. Most schools are not really empathetic about medical problems that arise, your mileage may vary but I doubt they're going to be very accomodating. Recovering from back surgeries can be a bit more delicate than other types of surgeries, pushing yourself to the max or beyond what your physician or PT recommends can do serious long term damage and undermine the procedure you had. Because of this, I just don't see how you could participate in clinicals even if you were functioning in a "light duty" capacity without the potential of getting hurt there are simply too many variables and potential dangers in an acute care environment. A busted back can be career ending for a nurse.

How urgent is this surgery? Are you in a great deal of pain? Do you have impairment in your mobility? What is the maximum amount of time you can post pone this surgery without risking further injury? A lot of back surgeries take a lot of time to even be approved by insurance so usually there's not a ton of urgency, but obviously this is between you and your surgeon.

I honestly don't think there's a wrong or right decision here because either way you're going to face challenges! It's a really sucky situation, but I'm sure regardless of what you choose you will succeed! Good luck!

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Mar 2, 2021

It's not that schools are not empathetic- it's because when you are in clinicals- you are a guest of the facility. And as a guest- there is no 'light duty' but there IS significant liability. Can you take a break from school while you have the surgery? Maybe take some non-clinical courses during the term in which you have the surgery- and then get back in? THAT is a plan the school can work with to accommodate you.

londonflo · Mar 2, 2021

14 hours ago, Laura H said:

just wouldn't be able to lift patients or chase patients down the hall,

What if a patient starts to fall...can you lower them to the floor?

Put your health first...nursing school will still be there.