can I be a nurse

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Hey guys. I have always wanted to be a nurse. Was a pre-nursing student 3 years ago, dropped it for psych because science was to hard. I have decided not to give in and am going for my lpn in 2010 (we have a community college where acceptance is on a first come first served basis apps accepted starting oct 1st). So I am going for it, only thing I was just thinking and I have a few things against me to actually being a nurse. 1. I only have 1 eye, I wear a prosthetic eye in my right socket. 2. I am short: 1 am 4' 10" so REALLY short. 3. I have learning disabilities so it sometimes takes me a longer time to 'get' things and I was just reading a thread about how (at least this particluar) preseptor gets frustrated explaining things multiple times. I would need to hear the between 2-4 times depending on how my brain is on the subject and on the days explained. What do you guys think?

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Specializes in Acute care, Community Med, SANE, ASC.

The eye and height should not make any real difference--no more so than these things affect your everyday life.

The learning disability will probably make nursing school difficult. I have good academic skills so I didn't struggle too much with nursing school but listening to my classmates it seems that most folks found it pretty challenging. I had one instructor tell us that most students who averaged A's in school end up being B students in nursing school and B students end up being C students in nursing school--and so on. I don't know if there is any truth to that--my grades were the same from high school through a bachelor's in business through nursing school. Perhaps post a question with learning disability in the title and folks with a learning disability might be able to answer your question better.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

You may have to get good tutors--otherwise, go for it!

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That is one thing I have already done :) there is a lady who works in the learning center and is a surgical tech and tutors the science classes and nursing ones (she has been doing it for YEARS). For the LPN program you can take classes ahead of time and I am taking nutrition in the fall and she is going to be working with me. I am so thankful to her she is the person who pushed me to go for it when I was talking about the LPN program. So that is all set.

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I have a general learning disability in math. It takes me a while to learn and understand the concepts, but when I do, I keep that knowledge for life. In other academic areas (like some of the advanced sciences), it takes me a little bit longer to understand the material, but I make sure to ask plenty of questions and repeat the information to the instructor.

I've never needed a tutor, nor have I ever studied with another person because I work better alone. Find out what your learning style is (there are plenty of online quizzes) and try to study based on that.

There's tons of help available for people with learning disabilities! So don't let that hold you back if this is something you really want to do :)

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Specializes in OB, NICU, Nursing Education (academic).

As far as the learning disability: When you inform the school of a documented learning disability, they must make reasonable accommodations...it's the law. It is your responsibility to notify the school (and provide the documentation).

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Specializes in Critical Care.

When I saw the title of your post I seems it has two meanings. On one level you are unsure if someone else will allow you to be a nurse because of your physical limitations, but on a deeper level it seems that you're asking for permission from an external source to validate your dream and tell you that you're going to make it through school.

Honestly I have taken this approach in my own life and the results I got were not what I wanted.

If you really want to do something, the only limit is your mind. If you want to be an LPN but you focus your thoughts and energy on the past, or your limitations, or your learning disability, I think you will find it extremely difficult to succeed.

When your thoughts go to there, stop yourself and think about the reasons you will be a wonderful LPN, how intelligent and blessed you are, what an amazing person you are, and then just keep putting one foot forward until you reach your goal no matter what.

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