Hoping for a miracle

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Hi all,

I am writing today to ask a question that I will probably get a lot of backlash for. I have worked as a nurses aide for over 10 years and a medication aide for 5+. I got injured on the job while I have been doing my prerequisites I have 1 more class left before beginning the RN program in September. I have wanted to be a nurse my whole life and I was so excited to be heading towards the beginning of this journey (I plan to become an NP) Now my issue is the doctor told me pretty much that due to the extent of my injuries I need to stop pursuing nursing and do clerical work. I'm completely devastated , so I came here to see if there is any hope. If my final evaluating doctors find this to be true is it possible for me to be able to get a desk job as a new RN or will I have to change my degree of choice? I'm at a complete loss right now and don't know what to do, and since it is workmans comp I cannot disobey the doctors orders. Is there hope or should I give up on my dreams?

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Hi all,

I am writing today to ask a question that I will probably get a lot of backlash for. I have worked as a nurses aide for over 10 years and a medication aide for 5+. I got injured on the job while I have been doing my prerequisites I have 1 more class left before beginning the RN program in September. I have wanted to be a nurse my whole life and I was so excited to be heading towards the beginning of this journey (I plan to become an NP) Now my issue is the doctor told me pretty much that due to the extent of my injuries I need to stop pursuing nursing and do clerical work. I'm completely devastated , so I came here to see if there is any hope. If my final evaluating doctors find this to be true is it possible for me to be able to get a desk job as a new RN or will I have to change my degree of choice? I'm at a complete loss right now and don't know what to do, and since it is workmans comp I cannot disobey the doctors orders. Is there hope or should I give up on my dreams?

A "desk job" as a new RN is a very lofty goal. If (and that's a BIG if) such a position exists, it probably doesn't pay enough to make the time, effort, and money involved with nursing school worth it.

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Well clinic nursing and public health typically do not require much lifting (clinic you may still have some, to help patients on and off exam tables, etc). However, most nurses who get these positions have experience, usually with other direction patiant care that's more strenuous. It's not impossible to get a position like that straight out of school, particularly if you have connections, can relocate, and have a bsn... but it will be tough.

Desk positions, like QI, infection control, case management, informatics, do require extensive experience.

Myou first thought is to try public health. If you want to continue your education, you could get an MPH.

On second thought, you may have trouble getting through school clinicals, where you'll be expected to perform ADLs. It might be best to listen to your doc on this one. Sorry.

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Thank you very much, I figured this would be the case but part of me was hoping I could still pursue it.

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What's an MPH?

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What's an MPH?

Master's in public health. There are also bachelors programs in community health if that's something you'd want to pursue.

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Master's in public health. There are also bachelors programs in community health if that's something you'd want to pursue.

Thank you I'll take a look into it.

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I agree that it's highly unlikely a new grad would be able to get a "desk job;" also, apart from whatever low impact jobs one might or might not be able to get as a new grad, you still have to get through nursing school in the first place, which is quite demanding physically. There isn't any real way around that.

You may want to look at other healthcare occupations that may be less physically demanding. I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. Best wishes!

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Specializes in Emergency.
A "desk job" as a new RN is a very lofty goal. If (and that's a BIG if) such a position exists, it probably doesn't pay enough to make the time, effort, and money involved with nursing school worth it.

My mom is a nurse manager at a smallish medical office and makes $40/hr. Is that enough?

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My mom is a nurse manager at a smallish medical office and makes $40/hr. Is that enough?

Is your mother a new graduate? It seems odd that they'd hire a nurse manager who has never actually worked as a nurse.

That's not a bad wage for most areas, but I don't think it's probable and I certainly wouldn't count on getting that lucky. Physically disabled and no experience are a bad combination for a nurse hoping to find employment.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
My mom is a nurse manager at a smallish medical office and makes $40/hr. Is that enough?

Nurse MANAGER. Not a new grad nurse in their first position.

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I agree that it's highly unlikely a new grad would be able to get a "desk job;" also, apart from whatever low impact jobs one might or might not be able to get as a new grad, you still have to get through nursing school in the first place, which is quite demanding physically. There isn't any real way around that.

You may want to look at other healthcare occupations that may be less physically demanding. I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. Best wishes!

Thank you I will be contacting my case manager and I contacted my counselor to try and figure out what my new career may be.

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