Diagnosed with lupus can i still be a nurse?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2014

One of my former coworkers was a 20-something-year-old with SLE (systemic lupus erythematosis). Although she was a nurses aide and not a licensed nurse, she was able to handle the job physically and mentally.

People with SLE live full lives and have prosperous careers.

Mommy of 2 girls · Jul 19, 2014

I have lupus as well and I was a CNA a few years back, I have two young children and start nursing school next month. To answer your question, yes you can! Our bodies just need a little more attention. Stay out of the sun as much as you can and find something like exercise to help reduce stress. Stay in tune with your body. You can still be an amazing nurse!

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jul 20, 2014

My cousin has lupus and is a successful PTA. She takes care of herself and has done fine with it. I have a friend who is in nursing school with lupus and hasn't done so well. The difference is attitude honestly. Not that lupus can't knock you down and be painful but my cousin who has a can do attitude and exercises regularly and eats well has done fine. She has had a few bumps in the road but she got married a couple of years ago and just had a baby. My friend on the other hand is having a hard time dealing with her diagnosis and is a very negative person in general. She has let the disease take over her life and she has had to drop out of 2 semesters. She has been feeling sorry for herself since the diagnosis and in general is depressed but won't seek help.

Don't let it hold you back. You can lead a productive life with lupus. I hope they find a cure someday as it is hurting 2 people I love but don't let it squash your dreams.

AWannerLPN · Jul 21, 2014

I am almost 28 years old and am working on my diagnosis as we speak. I came back ANA positive with speckled, thrombocytopenia, almost all 11 dx markers and have severe hand and joint pain. Lately the migraines have started as well. I have only been licensed since June of last year and my problems starting in april 2011. I can honestly say through all the stress of nursing school, finals, nclex prep and finally the nclex, i managed. When i first started my career I was in a SNIFpoorly managed and way under staffed. We didn't have med aides and only two nurses to share 3 halls and 60-70 patients. We had to do everything from Admissions to Med passes. IT WAS VERY VERY STRESSFUL! No matter how bad of days I had/have, the patient makes pushing through the pain and coming to work worth it. Keep in mind when most of us decide to go into nursing its because of a decision we had made because of a personal experience within the medical field. Having lived with SLE, I would think you would be more inclined to graduate school and begin the path to nursing tp help the other people who suffer with some of the symptoms you have had or all of them. I know that is one of the things that helps me be the "rockstar" as my DNS and CO-Nurses use to call me. Don't look at SLE as a death sentence but a way to help you be more educated to help your patients.

Hope this helps a little,

A

blugreenh2o · Aug 27, 2014

I'm a nurse with lupus. I was first diagnosed May of 2013, and I'm 36 years old. When I first went into remission, I thought ok, I can handle this, work will be fine, no problem. But now I'm not so sure. I'm currently having a flare up, it's my third one since being diagnosed, and this one is the worst one yet. My joint pain is so bad, I am having extreme fatigue and weakness, I'm having headaches, and something I've never had before which is this burning pain in my chest and back when I breathe in, which is weird. I decided I had to take off work for the week to rest and recouperate. On top of all of that, I have bipolar disorder and I'm having a pretty bad depressive episode, which is being made worse by how I'm feeling physically. I'm starting to question how long I'm going to be able to do bedside nursing, but I don't really know what else I would do. I still need to get my BSN, so that limits me right now on jobs. It won't take me long to get my BSN, but I'm also wondering if I shouldn't just do the whole RN to MSN. I don't know. What I do know is I feel miserable, and I hate it. I'm already burned out as it is at my job. I'm just lost. Sorry to vent and be so negative, I just don't know what else to say and I don't really have many people

to talk to in my life, certainly not many that understand.

Cobweb · Sep 5, 2014

I've been diagnosed with lupus almost 25 years. I love nursing, but you do have to take care of yourself. Nurses tend to be pretty co-dependent, and you need to know right away that YOUR issues come before your employers. You need to eat right, take your breaks, get your rest, and be pretty stress-free, in order to last a long time. When I say stress--the stress of the job never bothered me much, it's the politics and drama of the workplace that got me down, so I avoid those kinds of things as much as possible. I exercise religiously, eat non-processed food, stay out of the sun, and wear baby sunblock all the time. And, as posted above, get as much school as you can while you are doing well--you want to be able to get your pick of jobs. Always choose a job for your lowest level of wellness, not your highest. That's my path, choose the parts that suit you :)

Unknown.jj · Feb 9, 2018

Im a nursing student with lupus .. may i ask a favour? Can i be accepted to be a license nurse in the hospital? I have diagnose since im in 14 years old.. and now im 20..

beautifulrose212 · May 28, 2019

I am a nurse with SLE. I was diagnosed in 2010. I became a nurse in 2013. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. There were times that I left the hospital AMA to go and take a test and then went back to the hospital. I have never regretted my decision. I love nursing. I have worked in clinics, home health, long term care, and rehabs. I still trying to find my niche and have plans to head back to school to get my NP.

del60 · Nov 11, 2020

On 9/5/2014 at 4:22 PM, Cobweb said:

I've been diagnosed with lupus almost 25 years. I love nursing, but you do have to take care of yourself. Nurses tend to be pretty co-dependent, and you need to know right away that YOUR issues come before your employers. You need to eat right, take your breaks, get your rest, and be pretty stress-free, in order to last a long time. When I say stress--the stress of the job never bothered me much, it's the politics and drama of the workplace that got me down, so I avoid those kinds of things as much as possible. I exercise religiously, eat non-processed food, stay out of the sun, and wear baby sunblock all the time. And, as posted above, get as much school as you can while you are doing well--you want to be able to get your pick of jobs. Always choose a job for your lowest level of wellness, not your highest. That's my path, choose the parts that suit you ?

glad to know of someone who has worked so long. I am 60 land waiting to see a Rheumatologistfor Sjogrens and or Rheumatoid arthritis. I want to work til I am 65. My symptoms have only beenfor a month, but already feel doubtful I will be ableto continue.Most people onthis site are young so are more able to manage, but the fatigue is getting tough. I just don't wantto giveup nursing. These are just so unfair conditions and the only treatment is steroids, which lower your immunity anyway