Declined nursing program. .. need to vent.

[proudmomof3]

After much, much agonizing thought to whether or not I should start the nursing program, I unfortunately realize that my aching back and knees would not be able to withstand a career in nursing so after much agonizing thought I gave up my coveted position to a more eager, able-bodied candidate. After all, I took the pre-reqs for a 2nd time (I was in the program 20 years ago never to have finished). At 43 I know have a painful degenerative disc @ L5-S1 and my doctor and I knew deep down I wouldn't be wise at my age in my condition to go into this career--not to mention putting myself and my family through two years of sheer stress and not having time for my family, etc. only to come out of it not being able to get a job unless I hid my physical condition or even worse hurt myself more, after all nursing is notorious for bad backs! I've come to this site and have had supportive posts when considering whether or not nursing was for me. . . I guess I can come out of it knowing there are other health career options more fit to me (HIT seems to be a growing, very intriguing field) . . . and my daughter at least is graduating with her BSN soon so I can give her support. Nursing is hard yet rewarding, so I've heard, and I give lots of credit to nurses and nursing students, as I can only imagine what it's like!

[caliotter3]

Have to say your post is unique. Sorry to hear of your decision. Know it was very hard to make. You can still be proud of yourself for having been offered the spot. You can contribute in a way that will not be so problematic for your health. I am certain the student who got your seat would be very grateful.

[drugrep]

I don't know your level of pain, but I've got L4-L5, L5-S1 flattened out and I'm starting school this Fall.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Hello - your post moved me. Coming to terms with such a decision is hard - being realistic about your OWN situation is healthy.

There are many ways you can nourish that nursing spirit though. Just one small example is being a Hospice Volunteer. I cannot tell you all the ways that our volunteers help our families and the patients because I would be typing all day~ :)

There are many other options for you. And kudos to you for supporting your daughter!

I wish you the best.

steph

[mauxtav8r]

I was told on the first day of nursing school that for every one of us there were 4 qualified candidates who the school had to turn away. I always think about those other four people with lives like yours that were changed because you went down a different path. I, for one, am grateful for the opportunities nursing school has given me and will never forget that others wanted to go but could not.

[DogWmn]

Have you thought about becoming an medical laboratory technologist? It can lead to some very interesting and physically less challenging career paths.

[L8RRN]

My mom switched to health information and has her RHIA credentials. She started in nursing and left for several reasons, some of those which affected you. She, too, was in her mid-40's at the time. She now works at home as a coder for a large teaching hospital for the state she lives in and LOVES it. She could have done sooooo many different things with her degree, though. Several of her classmates went to work in insurance review, community statistics, hospital administration, etc. The path she took lead to a state job with GREAT hours and great pay and she is happy!

Good luck with your choice!

[mustlovepoodles, RN]

I think you are wise to know your limitations. There are many ways to help people and many of them don't require a strong back and healthy knees & feet. I've been a nurse 32 years and it has really taken a toll on my health. If I were starting over at my age*53* I don't think nursing would make the cut--my body just would not cooperate. At this point in my life I don't see me ever working in a hospital setting again. I can't take the shift work or the long hours. I work in a small school as a school nurse. The job requires me to know a LOT about general pediatrics, first aid, asthma, diabetes, seizures, sickle cell, heart disease, transplants, and child abuse. Most of my day is spent sitting or walking short distances so it's a good fit for me.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I think you are wise and I wish you well.

Look into health information management, becoming a science teacher, there are any number of things you can put those credits towards.

Nursing is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life and while parts of it are very rewarding it is not even close to what I thought it would be. There's far more butt-covering and far less nursing than I ever thought possible.

[ItsTheDude]

there's so many different ways to be a nurse (they don't all center around a hospital, patient care or require much physical activity).

the education itself is invaluable, it will help you with your own health and the health of your loved ones.

think about applying again.

[Sehille4774]

After reading your post, I felt compelled to post a reply. I commend you for being really honest with yourself....that is a very hard thing for many people.

I personally have a bad knee injury and now a rotator cuff injury, and i know EXACTLY what you mean about having to hide it from employers and also work through some pain.

I worked as a CNA in a nursing home for 5 years and I can tell you honestly, nowadays they have much lifting equipment that wasnt available 20 years ago, so the 'bad back" stigma is not as bad as it once was. The other thing is that in the nursing home setting, the CNAs do almost 100% of the lifting, unlike the hospital setting where nurses do alot more of the transfers and ect. But having Degenerative disk disease i am sure would make u at high risk for injury with even minimal lifting. Basically if an old person is about to fall, you have to be physically able to catch them and bear their weight if necessary, becasue it is simply not acceptable for patients to get injurys from falls. Caregivers (mostly CNA's I think) by the way also have the highest rate of work place injury statistically, even higher then construction workers, heavy machine operaters, ect.

But as other people on this site have mentioned, their are many good careers in the medical field that are popping up such as medical transcriptionist, medical coders, medical secretarie, cardiac monitor tech and i think these jobs start out at 14-$17 per hour with minimal time and $ invested in education.

So good luck to you!

Sarah :)

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

after pulling my own back 2 weeks before gallbladder surgery the other week, I understand. Kudos for recognizing that you may not have been able to fulfill the career duties. I'm sure the student who got your spot was thankful they got in. Keep on looking in the medical field, there are a lot of things that can be done in it.