Knee Problems and School

So I have had ongoing knee problems for the past two years due to misaligned patellas

I have tendency to feel like I am letting people down.

I know I need to focus on getting better before I start nursing school

I think you might be a born nurse. You've had 4 surgeries, want desperately to start nursing school, and feel like you're letting people down because you can't be superwoman. I would take that and run with it. Well, crutch with it. Slowly amble on the treadmill with it ... You seem to have the drive needed to be a nurse. You also seem to have the heart for people that it takes ... your own health is the factor here, yet you're thinking about what others are thinking. (Granted, it's not great to let other people's expectations play a factor in your life and recovery, but you know what I mean, right?)

Sit back, go to physical therapy, get strong, and wait until you're better to get into clinicals. But do it. Go to nursing school. Just take care of yourself. 12 hour shifts are brutal, and you'll most likely deal with these knee problems the rest of your life, but if nursing is what you want to do, don't let that stop you. I've only had 2 surgeries for my dang misalligned patella (sounds like both of yours are wacky ), but 2 was enough. I've been dealing with it since '99. My knee will hurt sometimes after a shift, but I love nursing so much and wouldn't change my profession for anything. Also, my knee loves Crocs. Maybe yours will too?

I think you might be a born nurse. You've had 4 surgeries, want desperately to start nursing school, and feel like you're letting people down because you can't be superwoman. I would take that and run with it. Well, crutch with it. Slowly amble on the treadmill with it ... You seem to have the drive needed to be a nurse. You also seem to have the heart for people that it takes ... your own health is the factor here, yet you're thinking about what others are thinking. (Granted, it's not great to let other people's expectations play a factor in your life and recovery, but you know what I mean, right?)

Sit back, go to physical therapy, get strong, and wait until you're better to get into clinicals. But do it. Go to nursing school. Just take care of yourself. 12 hour shifts are brutal, and you'll most likely deal with these knee problems the rest of your life, but if nursing is what you want to do, don't let that stop you. I've only had 2 surgeries for my dang misalligned patella (sounds like both of yours are wacky ), but 2 was enough. I've been dealing with it since '99. My knee will hurt sometimes after a shift, but I love nursing so much and wouldn't change my profession for anything. Also, my knee loves Crocs. Maybe yours will too?

Thank you so much for the words of encouragement! It has been a very rough day for me physically and emotionally and I needed to vent. Where can I find Crocs? I keep here good things about them, but I don't know where I can find them.

crocs.com for starters! =) but lots of other places are selling them now too. pretty much any uniform supply place, and I think i've seen them at Wal-mart and target. Good luck!