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!
I also wanted to add that I do pediatric home care nursing, 1 patient per day right now, so if i am taking care of a 2 year old then i am basically doing zero hard lifting..my heaviest pt is 95 pounds.
My point is that you are young and if u change your mind someday and decide that you really have a CALLING to be a nurse, that their may be jobs out there as a nurse that u CAN physically do.
Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
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!
What's HIT?
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I am thinking of OT, I can't handle the stress, physical OR emotional. But I have to do a little more research to see if in fact it IS less stressful. I love working with my peeps, just the life-or-death thing is like wearing a vise on the back of my neck 24/7 (OW!)
Tough, tough decision. I hope that you have peace around it. It sounds like you HAVE laid a good ground work for several other choices! Don't feel like you have to leave here just because you aren't going to school! Good luck to you!
I have done many kinds of nursing and there are nursing positions that are not so labor intensive. In fact, as a clinic coordinator I spend most of my time at a computer. The world is changing and nurses are needed in many venues. Several of my collegues work for insurnace companies, some are teachers and others have gone on to be nurse practitioners in primary care. The one great thing about nursing, it's not all about hospital work. I have been an OR nurse, Endo nurse, clinci coordinator, surgical floor nurse and now an NP. There is not much strenous about my job as an NP.
I am thinking of OT, I can't handle the stress, physical OR emotional. But I have to do a little more research to see if in fact it IS less stressful. I love working with my peeps, just the life-or-death thing is like wearing a vise on the back of my neck 24/7 (OW!)
Tough, tough decision. I hope that you have peace around it. It sounds like you HAVE laid a good ground work for several other choices! Don't feel like you have to leave here just because you aren't going to school! Good luck to you!
HIT= Health Information Technology/
Also another nursing career: research! Research positions pay well and don't require heavy lifting. Please re-consider applying to nursing school. BTW, I was an "older" student, too. I was 44 when I went back, and 46 when I graduated. It's the hardest thing I've ever done. Not to mention, I had a 20-year "break" in the accounting field. Am I glad I went back? You betcha!
Please don't talk yourself out of a career that you will love.
I have jusy hurt my neck at work and I am in constant pain. It was very hard for my to accept that there are certain nursing positions I may never be able to do again ( I love the ED) . I still cry every time I think about it, Im starting right now. But I know that I will be able to do some part of nursing, like psych, nursing manager at a LT facility, maybe dialysis, in a doctors office and the list goes on and on. You may not be able to do bedside nursing , but if you really want to be a nurse , dont count it out. There are so many different positions in nursing and you can do it, if you want to. If you have all ready made up your mind and that is what you know is right for you, then I hope you find something you love just as much. Every nursing student that I went to school with was a great student and Im sure you would be one too. Good luck and I hope to find out that you decided to do something that makes you happy.
Thank you so much for all your replies and support. It was difficult and I'm trying to "make peace" with my situation and not let it get the best of me. I've invested too much time and energy in trying to get into the program that I'm determined not to let my schooling go to waste again--I already have a BS in accounting I haven't capitalized on I don't want to make the same mistake twice:-)
Sehille4774
236 Posts
I also wanted to add that I do pediatric home care nursing, 1 patient per day right now, so if i am taking care of a 2 year old then i am basically doing zero hard lifting..my heaviest pt is 95 pounds.
My point is that you are young and if u change your mind someday and decide that you really have a CALLING to be a nurse, that their may be jobs out there as a nurse that u CAN physically do.
Good Luck,
Sarah