Devastated!May not be able to start LPN

Liddle Noodnik · Mar 2, 2005

I'm scheduled to start an LPN prog in 2 weeks.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Sandy}}}}}}}}}}] That stinks!

Is that the only physical problem, the sitting? You could have a cushion and alternate sitting/standing.

Isn't that weird for this to happen twice?

Good luck!

SandyL · Mar 3, 2005

I know! It's really bizarre that I've gotten injured both times when I was close to starting school. A friend of mine says I'm cursed. I'm starting to wonder what the universe is trying to tell me. I'm determined to do my best to start school though. Yesterday my doctor gave me some tramadol which has dulled the pain a bit. Yes, sitting is the only serious problem. When I got hurt in sept. the director was quite adamant that she didn't want anyone in the program who wasn't 100%. I heard of a girl in the program who sprained her wrist in clinical and they told her she had to drop out for that semester even though her wrist would be ok in a week or so. That's really scary! I'm just going to take my cushion and hope that the tramadol keeps the pain under control enough.

take care,

Sandy

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Sandy}}}}}}}}}}] That stinks!
Is that the only physical problem, the sitting? You could have a cushion and alternate sitting/standing.
Isn't that weird for this to happen twice?
Good luck!

following_faith · Mar 3, 2005

I feel for you!!! I was suppose to start my LPN program last fall and when I found out I was having a baby in April, they asked me not to start because there was "no guarantee that I would finish!"

It is very devastating! Just be careful so that you do not injure yourself further if you do start the program...I am thinking of clinicals with all the lifting and etc.

Maybe if you could show them something from your doctor stating that he feels there is no reason you could not continue with the program?

I wish you the best and let us know how it all goes!!!!!!

SandyL · Mar 4, 2005

Wow! A pregnancy would be hard to hide!!! Do you think you'll try to start the program after your baby is born? They questioned me about possible pregnancy in my interviews until I explained I had had an early menopause at 45 years old. I swear I saw relief on at least one interviewer's face! :chuckle I'm a little nervous about starting. I know I'll do ok in the academic part of the program, but clinical will be a whole new thing for me. I worked in computers for over 20 years and never had to worry about anyone getting hurt!

I feel for you!!! I was suppose to start my LPN program last fall and when I found out I was having a baby in April, they asked me not to start because there was "no guarantee that I would finish!"
It is very devastating! Just be careful so that you do not injure yourself further if you do start the program...I am thinking of clinicals with all the lifting and etc.
Maybe if you could show them something from your doctor stating that he feels there is no reason you could not continue with the program?
I wish you the best and let us know how it all goes!!!!!!

CHATSDALE · Mar 4, 2005

I have known of nurses who went to school during pregnancy...you should have protested exclusion

op .. give it a try...it may take a year to completely heal but if you can possibly stand the pain of sitting you will be in good shape by graduation...go ahead and start...if you find it impossible you will know you gave it all you had...good luck

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2005

I'm so sorry. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Hopefully the painful part won't go on too much longer.

Fiona59 · Mar 4, 2005

You need to be healthy to get through the PN clinicals. We did 5 weeks in nursing homes and you need a strong back. 7 weeks in Active treatment and you need a strong back.

Many employers require that you take a preemployment physical fitness test that requires to demonstrate your body mechanics (kind of protects them in future claims of back injury). They even show you how to properly transfer patients via backboards to protect your wrists (and to protect them from claims of carpal tunnel, etc0

We only had one baby born during my course and that was one of the students became a father. He was stressed out with waiting for the birth.

I think the rationale behind requiring you to be healthy is many LPNs wind up in LTC and the workload is physically demanding, also in acute you've got to assist with all the postop transfers.

LPNer · Mar 4, 2005

I'm scheduled to start an LPN prog in 2 weeks. I passed my entrance exam, all my interviews, had my vacinations, my background check, and my math assessment assignment. Then disaster struck! I fell down a flight of stairs and cracked my tailbone. My doc says there's nothing that can be done and the pain is pretty bad. He said it could take up to a year to heal!!!! Yikes!!! Even with the special cushion, sitting is very painful. It wouldn't be so bad except I was originally scheduled to start school last sept but was hit in the rear by a drunk driver (of course he has no insurance!) and ended up in a wheel chair for 3 weeks. I worked really hard to get back in shape physically and then this fall happened. I'm afraid the school won't let me start if they know I'm not 100% but if I don't start they probably won't give me another chance. They were pretty freaked out when I had the first accident and "strongly suggested" that I wait until I was able to walk again before starting. Now I don't know what to do and have been just sitting here crying my heart out. My prior career was outsourced to India but since I always wanted to be a nurse, I was excited about finally getting that chance. I'm in my 50's however, so I don't have a lot of time to play with. I was wondering if anyone managed to get thru an LPN program in less than 100% physical condition?
Thanks for listening,
Sandy

I broke my tailbone 4 or 5 years ( I was mid 40s then) ago, and darn, they still can't do anything for those of us unlucky enough. Bummer! However, in a month you will be much much more able to sit and walk. It takes a good long while to heal completely but the severe pain is short lived by comparison. I think you will be fine to plan to start.

following_faith · Mar 5, 2005

Wow! A pregnancy would be hard to hide!!! Do you think you'll try to start the program after your baby is born? They questioned me about possible pregnancy in my interviews until I explained I had had an early menopause at 45 years old. I swear I saw relief on at least one interviewer's face! :chuckle I'm a little nervous about starting. I know I'll do ok in the academic part of the program, but clinical will be a whole new thing for me. I worked in computers for over 20 years and never had to worry about anyone getting hurt!

I am all set to start again this fall and very excited about it! I have had problem after problem with this pregnancy, so I am glad it worked out the way it did. I think it would of been harder to re-start if I had started and then had to quit.

I wish you the best of luck!!!!! Please let us know!