Having trouble deciding between nursing, sonography, and radiography tech, and medical lab tech

Published

In the past ive failed out of lvn school due to anxiety. Ive since gotten it mostly under control. Im now at a place where idk what to do...itll take me at least 3 years before i can get into any program at my cc due to the layout of prereqs. Any insight? Anyone a nurse with anxiety/bipolar?

I was initially drawn to lab tech because of anxiety but i dont want to "cater" to my disease if you will,plus i hear its very low pay...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I'm a (retired) nurse who had a 20+ year career despite bipolar and anxiety. It got really bad when I hit my early 50s and I ended up leaving nursing, but most of my career was good and I'll never regret it.

That being said, you have to be very stable before you take up such a stressful and demanding job. Nursing school alone is an ordeal most of us would never want to repeat, and I remember having a difficult time even though that was many years before I was diagnosed. If you decide to go back to school for nursing, take things slowly and get your prerequisites out of the way first, so you don't have to worry about them. In the meantime, do all you can to work towards stability, whether that's therapy, meds, or lifestyle changes (or all three). See your psychiatrist regularly and follow their instructions. Take your meds religiously (if you're on any).

It sounds like you're fairly self-aware, so you're probably also alert to signs that you're going off the rails. It also sounds like you're still struggling somewhat at this time, so making any major decisions may not be the best idea right now. Whatever you decide to do, whether it's nursing or a tech position, you want to be as healthy as you can be to meet the demands of a healthcare occupation. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in IV therapy, Chelation, Geriatrics, AntiAging.

I love both quotes. I am at the "Do, or do not. There is no try" point. As a Chemist for many years, I feel sonography or med tech are not catering to the disease but focusing on making your job fun and less stressful. However, if you are set on nursing because you love it, have patience and love to help people - don't settle!

I am wondering about my physical ability to complete the training! I have lower back issues. I have rehabbed the issue but it is untested in a full time job manner!

My friends that are nurses say I can do it. .... again... Do, or do not. There is no try..... Yoda

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion