I was told I should change my major

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Okay, so I still need to finish my pre reqs to send in my Nursing School App. However, I have a problem: Complex Partial Seizures. They are not fully controlled and I get them every now and then. I get them during class sometimes and I am scared that I won't be accepted into the nursing program because of them. Granted, I do miss material and whatnot, but I get notes from friends and stuff. I always make up my work. My professors understand. I'm not a slow learner, I ca grasp material alright, but I was told by a RN that I will put patients life in danger and I will probably end up killing someone, and that they wouldn't want me working with them. That I am a liability. Mind you, I am an EMT. I work all the time and everything is squared away with that, I am an awesome tech (I think). I am losing confidence I suppose that I should continue with this major. Am I wasting my time?

I have wanted to be a nurse all my life, and now that I am 20 and in college and I have the opportunity to get my BSN eventually, I am told that I should just change my life goal? I still have a lot of time before I finish school, and I think that is enough of time for my brain to figure out that it needs to chill out. (Meaning med management)

Should I just reconsider being a nurse? This is what I want. I can do it, but will discrimination become a factor in this? Even if I get accepted into the Nursing Program, will my instructors there be as understanding as my professors are now?

Thanks, in advance.

-Courtney M

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

What is the opinion of your treating physician/health care provider? Nearly all programs require a physical as a condition of enrollment. Therefore s/he will have to make a statement that you are medically cleared and able to participate in the nursing program (didactic/classroom and clinical) without restriction.

Start there. If you are not medically clear to participate in the program, accommodation by your professors will not be an issue.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, Courtney:

The fact you are an EMT, and what you have does not interfere with being an EMT speaks volumes.

I would recommend getting a letter of recommendation / reference from the person(s) for whom you report as an EMT.

Thank you.

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My neurologist says I am able to anything that any other person would do other than driving for 8 more months. Heck, she could just be saying that to raise my self esteem! Haha. Hypothetically, should I be cleared medically, and should I have an episode or something, would I be kicked out? I dont know if you would know but it's worth asking.

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That is a great idea actually. More positive recommendations the better maybe!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
My neurologist says I am able to anything that any other person would do other than driving for 8 more months. Heck she could just be saying that to raise my self esteem! Haha. Hypothetically, should I be cleared medically, and should I have an episode or something, would I be kicked out? I dont know if you would know but it's worth asking.[/quote']

Again it would go back to getting medically cleared by your personal physician/medical team. Just like if you didn't have a seizure disorder and say had a bad car accident while in nursing school, you would need medical clearance without restriction to return to the program

Fortunately being able to drive a vehicle is not a requirement for nursing school. ;).

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Courtney, focus on the positive.

Meet Tim Harris - America's Only Restaurant Owner With Down Syndrome - Inspirational Video is about a young man that runs a restaurant with Down Syndrome.

You shared your intellect is not the issue. As an EMT, at least to me, you prove your heart (the one that counts) is not the issue.

Get references, keep the positive outlook, and look for ways to make your dream happen.

And Courtney, what you are going through may help you be an extreme encouragement (I'm told the word, encourage means to impart bravery and courage) to others going through similar experiences.

Should you succeed in your quest, whose to say you will not be able to help others in ways that nurses who have never gone through what you go through. You will have insights and experiences others will not have.

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Gotcha, that makes sense. Thanks for the info

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Thank you, that means a lot.

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CourtM092, I want to tell you to never give up on your dream or doubt your choice because of something someone told you. I have Bipolar Disorder and had a mental health worker who once told me that I shouldn't be a nurse because I wouldn't be able to handle the stress/odd schedules. I was also an EMT and I loved every second of it. I love the interaction with the patients and have been told I have very good bed-side manner. When that stranger told me that I should reconsider my dream to be a nurse, I was heart broken and self-doubting. In fact, I did change my major at first. I was so unhappy about the change because I knew I belonged in nursing. Now, I am finally applying to nursing school and ready. It took earning a Bachelor's degree in Psychology for me and some long night conversations with my husband to finally believe my disorder wouldn't make me a bad nurse. I think the fact you want to be a nurse so badly is the reason you will be a fantastic nurse. Sometimes, people really do not understand something they do not have. They're quick to think that a disorder like yours or like mine make us a liability, someone who can't complete a task... not because we can't but because of their lack of understanding.

Wow, I think I rambled a bit more than I meant to but I just want to say that you should never give up on your dream because of someone else. I did (for a while) and regretted every second of it.

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Yeah, I don't want to say ignorance... because that just makes me sound mean. However, there are a lot of people who judge someone from what they see but they dont fully understand what it is. My cousin has bipolar and he never tells anyone (not that he needs to) but because he is self conscious about it. I mean him and me are close so he confides stuff to me... I think it's because we both deal with crap we cant control.

I love being an EMT, I also have great bed side manner, I ride with some techs that say "Oh this guy is a frequent flier" so and so forth, but in that back of my head, I feel for the guy. I dont show the guy that I'm annoyed that this is the 3rd time this week are picking him up for abdm pain. What can you do.

The first time someone told me that I should reconsider being a nurse, I changed my major as well to music... yeah i dont know why i did that.

The most shocking part for me was how rude the nurse was to me who told me this lol its like lady you need to take a seat. I would have thought she would have understood the complexity of seizures... haha but it's whatever, she might have just been having a bad day or something. We'll never know what her beef was.

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Specializes in PCU, LTAC, Corrections.

I know exactly how you feel. In 2006, at the age of 21 I began having syncope ( passing out) at my college. It reached a point till I had to leave college in 2008. However, throughout this time I still worked towards being a nurse. In 2009, I attended a college much closer to home. I then began have full grand mal seizures and I was diagnosed as having epilepsy. However, despite the medication I took it would not be controlled for any period of time. I still worked towards entering a nursing program however unlike you my condition was never controlled. It was only then I changed my mind about being a nurse because I truly could not get passed the physical and it was uncontrolled for some time. However, I soon became my own healthcare advocate and really looked into my health problem instead of just listening to doctors. Eventually I found out that I have a severe hormone imbalance due to a previous condition and this was causing the seizures. Right now, I am waiting for acceptances to ABSN programs ( and I am seizure free).

The point of my story is to never give up. If nursing is your dream do not give up unless your condition reaches a point where you would put patients at risk. There are nurses today who have a plethora of medical conditions and they work out just fine.

Follow your dream. It took me 9 years to get my BA because of my illness. However, I am not bitter. My experiences will make me a better nurse because I learned patience.

Become a nurse and be the best one!!

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