informing your professors...

Nursing Students General Students

Published

i have a quick question for everyone. i am a 3rd year student going into my peds/ob rotation in the fall. i just found out today, that i have to get a central line put in because of medication that i have to get every 2 weeks on top of many different blood draws, and the doctors decided that it will be easier to put in a central line that poking me numerous times and leaving bruises and collapsing veins. my question is should i let my professors know about it? or should i keep it secret. you wont be able to tell because of the cut of our uniforms thank g-d, and i will be keeping it covered and clean, but should i let my clinical instructors know or not? my doctors told me today that it was up to me and i should be fine with everything i do, i just cant get it dirty. it still scares me because i dont want to get it infected. what would you guys do?

:o

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice & Palliative Care, Oncology, M/S.

Yes, you should definitely tell your instructors. I think you might also let your school know, as well. That way if something happens during a clinical rotation, you will be covered. You don't have to broadcast the fact to your whole class, but I think your instructors should know.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Agree with Coriander.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree, your instructors should know in case anything happens!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes you should tell them. In the end if your doctor says you are okay to continue then you are okay to continue. :up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm going to differ: it's none of their business your medical care. Having a central line is not a biggie but the school knowing your business is. Do you really want them knowing? There'll be questions and everything will be documented.

What exactly do you expect to happen? Keep it covered, clean and no problems. Wash your hands and use universal precautions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I'm going to differ: it's none of their business your medical care. Having a central line is not a biggie but the school knowing your business is. Do you really want them knowing? There'll be questions and everything will be documented.

What exactly do you expect to happen? Keep it covered, clean and no problems. Wash your hands and use universal precautions.

I agree. You don't want them to start looking at you as a liability.

This is something that if something did happen, you could tell them. Not like a neuro disorder that might leave you unconscious with them having no idea what happened.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have had a central line for 7 months recently for dialysis. I guess I was lucky, because I had no problems whatsoever, but did start to get a little paranoid that I would accidentally yank on it. I also missed taking more frequent showers. As to whether to tell your instructors, I don't believe in hiding such things, because you have no reason to hide it, and you might need their assistance in an emergency.

Not everyone feels the same, but I am one of those people that does not feel uncomfortable discussing my medical problems, and I have a few!! I can use it as teachable moments for others, and I am also standing in my truth (as Oprah says:) ) One way I have learned to approach such personal dilemmas is to take a step back and consider how you would react if someone with the same problem came to you with it, and treat yourself the same way you would treat them. Maybe that will help lessen your anxiety about the issue.

Best of luck in whatever you decide

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

In school and especially in the workplace, you don't want to be a liability.

What are expecting to happen? Even if worse case scenario, the central line comes out, excuse yourself, hold pressure x10 minutes, call your doc.

No reason at all to be telling people your medical history.

As to the student who is receiving dialysis - my hat's off to you! Again though, I wouldn't be volunteering your medical history. Nursing isn't about YOU, its about THEM, the pts.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i was in this position (had a picc line), and at that time, i had no difficulty letting selected people know-and i was fine with it at that time, with that group of staff, including managers. if i had to do it now though, i would not feel comfortable letting anyone know. maybe i would let some trusted co-worker know, but that's it. circumstances are different now. managers are different now. i agree with the posters who say it may be viewed (whether reasonable or not!) as a liability. you do not want anyone being able to imply that any difficulty you may have in your rotations are due to any medical condition you have, when it may have nothing to do with that at all.

if you can meet the requirments of school and clinicals, and your doctor is fine with it, then you have no need to let anyone know. good luck, whatever you decide.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

As a nursing instructor, my opinion differs. It is mainly the underlying illness at issue. If there is a chance that you may be ill due to this condition, I would get accomodations in place through ADA with your school's disability office. For example, if you are frequently ill, this would allow for reasonable accomodations. If there is no chance that the underlying issue will impact performance or attendance, I would keep it to myself. No one needs to know about the CVC unless there is a likely emergency.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment