Have Decided Against Nursing As A Career

nightmare, RN · Mar 14, 2008

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

caliotter3 · Mar 14, 2008

Sorry to hear that you can't pursue your lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. You must preserve your own health first. Have you looked into ancillary health careers? Perhaps you could go into health education, informatics or something similar. There are many healthcare options out there besides bedside nursing that would be open to you. Hope everything goes well for you. Good luck in achieving your highest level of wellness.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2008

Wow---this must be a very hard decision for you. I am assuming you have considered every option before making this change? Clinicals can be physically hard, but if you have a documented ( you do) physical limitation the school is required to help you. At least that was they told us every semester, to make sure they are aware of any physical conditions that we may have that would affect our clinical performance.

Have you met with your guidance counselor at school to see what other type of nursing you could do with your physical situation. Insurance nursing comes to mind, also I had a lovely chat with a nurse who works for the state who comes out to do surveys, and they dont do any physical work per say---unless you count looking at the top shelf of cabinets!!

Or we have a nurse who does utilization review and she does not physical patient work, just alot of office style work-- calling ins companies/nursing home placement and sched meetings with familys etc etc etc. She has told me before how rewarding she finds her job.

I just hate to see any one pass up their dream. I hope you dont have any regrets.

Best of luck in any decision you make.

Hazel11 · Mar 14, 2008

I'm sorry to hear that, but I hope you find something that you truly love that won't interfere with you physically. Good luck and you're in my prayers. :redpinkhe

nyapa, RN · Mar 14, 2008

Have you met with your guidance counselor at school to see what other type of nursing you could do with your physical situation.

Yep, think about that one...

HealthyRN · Mar 14, 2008

Wow---this must be a very hard decision for you. I am assuming you have considered every option before making this change? Clinicals can be physically hard, but if you have a documented ( you do) physical limitation the school is required to help you. At least that was they told us every semester, to make sure they are aware of any physical conditions that we may have that would affect our clinical performance.
Have you met with your guidance counselor at school to see what other type of nursing you could do with your physical situation. Insurance nursing comes to mind, also I had a lovely chat with a nurse who works for the state who comes out to do surveys, and they dont do any physical work per say---unless you count looking at the top shelf of cabinets!!
Or we have a nurse who does utilization review and she does not physical patient work, just alot of office style work-- calling ins companies/nursing home placement and sched meetings with familys etc etc etc. She has told me before how rewarding she finds her job.
I just hate to see any one pass up their dream. I hope you dont have any regrets.
Best of luck in any decision you make.

All of these are great ideas, but realistically, will the OP be able to obtain positions like this without any clinical experience? I'm sorry to be a downer, but it is very unlikely. I will say that it is possible to get nursing jobs that don't involve as much physical work right out of school. Have you thought about peds, NICU, L&D, mother-baby, or OR? I got a job outside of acute care nursing after just 10 months at the bedside. If you don't feel particularly attracted to these patient populations, perhaps you could just do it long enough to move on to a position outside of acute care. What about public health, home care, or ambulatory care? You could possibly get a position such as this right out of school, although it won't be as easy as getting a hospital job.

I wouldn't worry too much about the requirements for school. As long as it is documented, the school must work around any disabilities that you have.

mianders, RN · Mar 14, 2008

I am so sorry. I wish you the best of luck.:icon_hug:

leslie :-D · Mar 14, 2008

i'm so sorry your dreams have been shattered.

i agree about seeking professional guidance re careers.

where ever your journey brings you, i wish you much peace and success.

leslie

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Mar 14, 2008

There are a lot of ways to be a nurse - not all require working in a hospital. Could be you would really like an ancillary position. Good luck!

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Mar 14, 2008

All of these are great ideas, but realistically, will the OP be able to obtain positions like this without any clinical experience? I'm sorry to be a downer, but it is very unlikely. I will say that it is possible to get nursing jobs that don't involve as much physical work right out of school. Have you thought about peds, NICU, L&D, mother-baby, or OR? I got a job outside of acute care nursing after just 10 months at the bedside. If you don't feel particularly attracted to these patient populations, perhaps you could just do it long enough to move on to a position outside of acute care. What about public health, home care, or ambulatory care? You could possibly get a position such as this right out of school, although it won't be as easy as getting a hospital job.
I wouldn't worry too much about the requirements for school. As long as it is documented, the school must work around any disabilities that you have.

OR is extremely physical in nature. We get very large patients and there is no lifting equipment available(at least in my OR). I'm on my feet for 98% of my shift and am always running for things. The instrument trays and equipment can be very heavy too. When you're scrubbed, you're on your feet for the whole case and some of these can take 6 hours or more.

Not flaming or anything, but OR would not be a good choice for the OP for the above reasons. There is also no such thing as "light duty" in the OR either..If you show up to work, you're expected to be at 100%.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2008

I could not agree more about the OR nursing being physically taxing work. I only had to go to OR during my clinicals and even though I loved watching the procedures, the standing killed me. I would like to add that I am physically fit person. Not to mention the masks drove me crazy, why is it when I get all gowned up I feel the overwhelming desire to scratch my face??

Scrub hats off to all you OR nurses...between the cold, the standing in one spot the gowns, and saving lives!!! you deserve a big Thank-You!!! :bowingpur