I'm a Returning Military Vet with PTSD....Can I become a nurse?

Fiona59 · Oct 8, 2009

I've friends who have PTSD who are police officers so I really don't think nursing is closed off to you. Each human being handles this differently. Are you still in therapy? How do you handle stressful situations?

School is stressful, no denying that.

What area of nursing are you considering? Surgical, ICU, Medicine? I would avoid Psych, to many emotional burdens there.

I think you would bring valuable experience to any ward.

codyerin · Oct 9, 2009

I've friends who have PTSD who are police officers so I really don't think nursing is closed off to you. Each human being handles this differently. Are you still in therapy? How do you handle stressful situations?
School is stressful, no denying that.
What area of nursing are you considering? Surgical, ICU, Medicine? I would avoid Psych, to many emotional burdens there.
I think you would bring valuable experience to any ward.

Thank you for your post. I go to counseling and I work out a lot and take meds. Staying in shape has always been important to me so it's not a big step. I'm not suffering like some but I do have to cope with it. I would like to go into Neurology or maybe ICU. I hope things work out but if not...it's not the end of the world. I just like to help people and Nursing seems like a great place to be able to make a big impact in people's lives. Thanks again for the post.

nurse_mo1986 · Oct 14, 2009

Everyone handles stress differently. I work in the ICU setting which some people would consider highly stressful, however I consider my job to be pure therapy. I love going to work, doing my job, and then leaving to go home. Pure and simple.

But to answer your question, I see no reason at all that PTSD would mean that ya couldn't become a nurse.

smileyperson · Oct 21, 2009

I suppose it depends on your symptoms. Do you have bursts of anger? The first one you have at work towards a pt, you are DONE. Any drug abuse? The first time you come up dirty on a UA, you are done.

You have to be sure you aren't self-sabotaging. I don't think it's impossible but you'd have to do an honest self assessment.

Maybe ask your counselor what he/she thinks.

musiklover · Oct 21, 2009

First of all, I would like to say a big "Thank You!" and a "Hooyah" for your service to our country. Wow-the nursing profession should be honored to have someone like you join our ranks. Nursing is very stressful but then you would know just a little bit about stress having been 10yrs as a Navy SEAL. The years of military discipline would actually carry over well for you in the nursing profession.

As for the PTSD, as others have mentioned, you would probably do well to stay away from areas that might trigger intense emotions or flashbacks. Doing clinicals might even help you narrow down the areas that you are well suited to and those that you might not handle so well. Who knows, the "stress" of bedside nursing may just be therapeutic for you as it is for some others.

However, your experiences, both physical and emotional and your obvious care and concern for people will make you an excellent bedside nurse. It's always easy to see the nurses that have that "touch" with their patients-the ones who go the extra mile-and the ones who don't. You have so much to offer with your life experiences and it sounds like a great deal of enthusiasm and drive.

God bless you and thank you again for all that you've done in sacrifice and service.

exnavygirl-RN · Oct 21, 2009

I am a Navy Seabee vet and a RN. I worked for the VA a few years before going to Indian Health Services. I have worked with RN's and CNA's who are veterans and have diagnosed PTSD. They are awsome with the patietns. I've also taken care of many PTSD patients at the VA and with IHS. When my tour with IHS is over I'm going back to the V.A. to work.

My advice to you is.. Go for it!

codyerin · Nov 2, 2009

Thanks for all of your comments...I really appreciate it and it has helped me make the decision to pursue this...thanks again and I hope to see you guys out there!

fabiusgile · Dec 2, 2009

Thank you for your service.

LG1137 · Dec 9, 2009

Hey brother, I'm late to the discussion but want to say that things will likely get very better for you. I am not a veteran, but was a LEO for eight years and was diagnosed with PTSD after a few very critical incidents. For a while I didn't know if I would ever get a good night's sleep again. And with all the therapy and being off on disability it really kept the PTSD in my face all the time. Things are better now, I left law enforcement and am pre-nursing, to enter the nursing class in the fall. Sure, things can still get my heart pounding, but it's under control. I miss the excitement but not the never-ending danger. If you want to chat or ask questions, post a reply here and I'll get you my email (I know that you need 15 posts to send a private message, which you don't have yet).

Best of luck.

ps- check out http://www.wcpr2001.org, it is an amazing PTSD retreat with GREAT results.

LG1137 · Dec 9, 2009

Oh yeah, best thing I ever did for my mental health was I got a dog. Better than any therapy could do, at least that was my experience. I recommend a Golden Retriever!

Lacie, BSN, RN · Dec 9, 2009

Oh yeah, best thing I ever did for my mental health was I got a dog. Better than any therapy could do, at least that was my experience. I recommend a Golden Retriever!

Totally agree here!!! I have several Vietnam Vets in my dialysis unit who wouldnt even speak to us and very grouchy most of time. We had a stray Simease Cat who hung around the clinic daily for about 1 1/2 years and the pts paid a great deal of attention to him including the ones who were always very stand offish to the staff. He disappeared one day and of course I hunted him (the cat) down finding him 10 days later at the humane society and very ill. The vets I had in the unit along with a few other pts chipped in and helped me pay to "bail" out kitty and the $400.00 vet bill. In the end the Vietnam Vet took kitty home and it's unbelievable the difference it has made. His b/p is staying withing control, his Blood sugar is manageable now, he smiles and communicated alot with us now. Particularly with stories about "Sebastian". He's very compliant now with his treatments and always full of smiles. This one act of a "kitty" companion was better medicine than anything we or the VA could have done for this man!! After this I started some rescues and found many of my pts did the adoptions.