Injured nursing student. Not sure of my options.

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This is my first post. I'm a first semester nursing student and I am doing well. Yet, I just found out I have an anterior labral tear in my right hip and I'm not sure if my hip is going to be able to withstand clinicals. My professors told my I have to be physically able to perform in clinicals or delay my studies another semester.

I tweaked my hip about six years ago, but it recovered well and it never gave me trouble. About 2 weeks ago it began to hurt for no reason! But the pain has been increasing to the point it I could no longer walk on it and it forced me to use crutches. Today I was finally able to walk on it a little, but by the end of classes I had that limp again. I'm trying to hold on, but I can't keep this up. I'm 29 and I've left my profession as a teacher to become a nurse, and now this.

I'm seeing the clinical rehab doctor for the second time tomorrow since the MRI report came in. I really hope I can get over this. I don't want to think otherwise.

Have any of you ever experienced an injury preventing you from meeting the physical demands of work or getting through school? Or better, how did you manage? I would appreciate your comments. Thanks. Have a wonderful day.

K

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I broke my foot and I had to withdraw I have been on crutches for three weeks (can't do clinicals) school policy no crutches/ cast. I am offering you the advice I got talk to your program director. And my personal advice look at your health its better to maybe take a break now get your hip fixed? And then come back then to push it and not be able to do nursing at all. I know that's not great because I would have been done this may and I just had to withdraw but good luck maybe it will work out different for you.

Tattooedlil freak :)

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I was required to withdraw from school upon medical advice due to a medical condition. I recovered and then reentered. The dean of the School of Nursing, in a telephone conversation, threatened me and stated outright that she would see that I would not graduate. As long as you are not dealing with hateful, hostile school administrators, you should be able to continue as long as your medical condition improves to the point you can meet your responsibilities. If you require it, take a medical leave of absence, but make certain that you are aware, in writing, of your official status at all times. And be certain to take note of any negative treatment that you receive from any of your instructors. Document everything in case you end up with a mess. Good luck and best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.

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Thanks guys. I'll probably have to withdraw also. It just sucks to not know how your gonna come back from an injury like this. A labral tear in the hip is a tricky thing to treat. More than likely I'll need surgery, because it didn't result from a recent trauma, but rather normal ADLs. I don't see how rehab alone can help if just walking aggrivates it. If I get surgery, I hope I can recover before next semester. Otherwise I'll have to wait a year. Maybe God is telling me not to be nurse. There are certain things I don't have control over in this life. I just have to take what life gives me. I will still hang on to my dreams. Thanks.

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I had to take a medical leave of absence from nursing school -- was out one quarter, attempted to come back the following quarter and couldn't hack it, had to be out a second quarter. My school was extremely supportive, held my "seat," and I was able to slide right back into the program the following quarter with no problems (except that I was now with a whole different group of students from the people I'd been in school with for over two years, and didn't know anybody). Of course, it helped that the school curriculum was set up in a way that made that possible.

Do what you need to do to take care of yourself and don't be too discouraged. Sometimes things work out. :)

Best wishes for your journey --

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By the way, I never had to drop. I starting walking... slowly 2 weeks before clinicals started. But I'm strong now.

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Specializes in Psych.
By the way, I never had to drop. I starting walking... slowly 2 weeks before clinicals started. But I'm strong now.

Good to hear! One of my classmates fractured her femur s/t a car accident last semester and she is still with our class, going to clinical and everything. From what I understand that administration of our program has been extremely supportive of her. I have found that is typical in my program, one of the many reasons its a really great program :)

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Specializes in transplant/case management.

i started school in october and broke my leg in early november. i couldnt go to clinical until i could get cleared by my dr and by the school. i was allowed to attend class with my cast/airboot.

lots of luck, i know how annoying that can be!

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it sucks

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

A classmate of mine was hit by a car while out with friends one weekend early last semester. She had a broken leg. She had to drop out and then retest to come back in this semester (which she did). But yeah....there was NO accomodations for any kind of physical mobility limitation at all. This is per the hospitals as much as per the program itself. Too much liability.

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Bobdoe-How are you doing now? I have that very same injury... had surgery for it TWICE and it still gives me a lot of trouble.... I'm in my first semester and I notice that my the end of my week I am pretty sore... then I rest all weekend and do it all over again. What did you find was the trick to managing your pain?

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I dislocated my shoulder last year in May, ended up with frozen shoulder. I still have some limitations, and I have informed my lab and clinical teachers. I exercise it daily trying to get full ROM back, hopefully soon! How are things now for you?

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