Is working in the NICU a good idea for me, as a person with mild cerebral palsy?

[bella201]

I will be applying to an adn nursing program next year and am looking at possibly working in the NICU because it's not as physically demanding. It's important that it's not so physically demanding as I have a mild form of cerbral palsy which affects the coordination of my legs and feet.

In my case of cerebral palsy, I am able to walk but not in a coordinately manner to a certain extent; and I do tend to get tired alittle quicker than the average person(physically leg and feet wise); but am able to stand for sufficient amounts of time. I was originally thinking of working in the ER as a nurse but in reality I don't think I would be able to handle it physically because there would be too much running around from room to room and I can't lift and carry regularly sized patients.

** The reason I'm thinking of working in the NICU and or nursery is because all my patients would be babies which I would be able to lift and they would be all in the same room so it wouldn't as physically demanding. Plus I plan on working only on the weekends sat and sun 12hr shifts. What do you guys think? Is this a good idea?

[uRNmyway, ASN, RN]

I don't really have input on the NICU part of it other than to agree that more of a well-baby or intermediate nursery would be better. However given the nursing situation right now, tons and tons of EXPERIENCED unemployed nurses, I don't know how easy it will be for you to get work on this kind of department as a new grad.

Other suggestions though: Maybe psych? I've never worked psych, but seems like there would be less frantic running around.

Or how about home health? I know you said you would prefer hospital work to get experience, but I just think the pace of home health would be well suited to your needs. And given your disability, you could possibly look into pediatric care. You know, the babies who get well enough to get out of NICU and go home, but will never really get better. IE will always require TF, possibly vents, you know? That way you have ONE patient at a time, less running around for multiple running alarms, no risk of your assignment being in multiple rooms. I have also seen on AN that there are nurses who basically go to school with one child every day for their medical needs. That might be something good for you too, kind of like a nurse/companion thing.

I don't know how well these ideas fit your plans and needs, but I feel they might work well at least as far as your physical disability goes. Hope that helps a bit!