LPN Student Freakout!

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Hi everyone! I was just wondering if someone can give me advice about the nursing field? I am a student studying at post secondary and was accepted into the LPN program. So far, it's only been a week into the program / studying but I am so freaked out about it that I am considering re-evaluating nursing as a career. Why? My biggest fear is injuring myself. We recently learned about proper body mechanics, and this thing has me scared to death. If I ever injured my back, I'm not sure what I'd do next because that means I would have problems with lifting other patients and turning them over. I've had experience as to what back pain feels like, as I get back pain when I am super anxious or depressed. (psychological)

To be fair, I've only been in this program for 1 week, week 2 is just starting. I'm considering a different career path, and it's distressing because entering nursing was all I can think about for a really long time. My brother likes it, my friend likes it, my cousin likes it, and my friend's cousin likes VERY much. They seem pretty chill about the possibility of injury. My instructor told me lifting is a very frequent task in this field. Having said that, there are many fields one can go into that don't require lifting. I was told machines were used?

I'm only in it for 2 years of study, and I'm starting to think that it may be a blessing in disguise, instead of applying for the 4 year program (which I still plan on applying to, if I get a spot, I can always choose to drop and the spot will be open for the next person in line). I like the content of everything I'm studying so far but it's always the possibility of injury that has me re-considering. I am lucky financially because my parents are helping me out and I am working really hard as well.

I don't know if it's just that though, but I have a mild learning problem that sets me back academically, so to even be accepted on a competitive basis is definitely something to be recognized as some career progress (I almost got kicked out of university due to poor grades, but I re-wired my studying habits so my learning problem is not hindering). I am very used to failing...so when I was actually successful at something. I honestly don't know how to deal, I was very apathetic when learning of the acceptance. Perhaps it's the high of the struggle that I'm so used. (Anyone ever seen Megamind?)

I recognize that all jobs have risks. Doctors have risk of getting sick as well as nurses (do doctors ever lift? I don't think so), welders need to wear masks to protect their eyes, dentists may get carpal tunnel...

I'm scared about the future. What if I get arthritis? What if my spine goes permanently misaligned and I get chronic back pain? Nothing is actually fatally wrong with me.

I think from the time of aiming to getting into nursing to the time of entering the program, I have developed into a bit of a hypochondriac, I get things checked out in case. Most of the time nothing is wrong. I am not sure what is normal, but reading through these posts made me realize that injury are real scenarios that have happened to nurses.

This feels distressing and confusing, and maybe, I'm starting to realize prestige and good title is worth little if you aren't happy where you are or lacking in a good quality of life.

I thank you in advance!

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Talk to your family doc about your anxiety.

Isn't your class teaching you how to NOT get hurt? :)

You can "what if" ANY job to death, and end up wasting a lot of energy.

If all of your cousins, and friends, and the neighborhood like nursing then THEY should go into it :D Do YOU want to be a nurse, or make all of these people like your career choice?

Live your own life- if you like nursing, fine; if you're more interested in how your friends/family think, don't do anything until you figure out what you like. At the end of the day, their opinion doesn't mean much (especially if the relationship tanks- then what?)

:) Good luck- but calm down !!:up:

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Wow...

Not really sure of what to say, but if nursing is what you want to do then go for it. To be honest, it sounds as if you aren't really into it. There are risks to most all jobs. The are teaching you how to prevent and minimize the risks so there are things you can do to protect yourself....if you wanted to be in nursing.

Good luck in your decision.

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Take a breath! Using proper body mechanics and asking for help when you need it will greatly reduce your risk of injury on the job. We all experience aches and pains as we age. That's just the way it goes. Relax...and hang in there. :cool:

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care, Case Manager.

As a nurse, there are more things to worry about than just a back injury. We are at risk for Hepatitis, HIV, TB, MRSA, violence, etc...The fact that you are becoming a hypochondriac is not good. Heck, you are more likely to injure your back at home than your work as a nurse! As long as you use proper body mechanics and ask for help, the risk of a back injury will be minimal.

On another note, if you choose to find another career please make sure you do your research prior to applying. It will save you stress and a lot of headaches.

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Talk to your family doc about your anxiety.

Isn't your class teaching you how to NOT get hurt? :)

You can "what if" ANY job to death, and end up wasting a lot of energy.

If all of your cousins, and friends, and the neighborhood like nursing then THEY should go into it :D Do YOU want to be a nurse, or make all of these people like your career choice?

Live your own life- if you like nursing, fine; if you're more interested in how your friends/family think, don't do anything until you figure out what you like. At the end of the day, their opinion doesn't mean much (especially if the relationship tanks- then what?)

:) Good luck- but calm down !!:up:

All of the people who I mentioned nursing, are already IN nursing. 3 of them are working, 1 of them switched to medicine, but he still recommends it. My class is teaching me prevention and the proper body mechanics as well.

I seriously thought that I had done a decent amount of research before going in, I had interview other nurses a couple of times and volunteered at the hospital as well. Perhaps the research into a career wasn't as thorough as I thought I did.... but I am not sure what else I could have done, too.

It's not that I'm not into it, I'm liking what I'm currently studying and read about extra stuff for funsies.

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All of the people who I mentioned nursing, are already IN nursing. 3 of them are working, 1 of them switched to medicine, but he still recommends it. My class is teaching me prevention and the proper body mechanics as well.

I seriously thought that I had done a decent amount of research before going in, I had interview other nurses a couple of times and volunteered at the hospital as well. Perhaps the research into a career wasn't as thorough as I thought I did.... but I am not sure what else I could have done, too.

It's not that I'm not into it, I'm liking what I'm currently studying and read about extra stuff for funsies.

Do what your heart says...it's great your friends/cousins like nursing- but it's not for everyone :) You can do good research, and still not really know until you get into it- and then school is different than after you get out (school was more stressful for me in some ways, but being an RN is stressful in different ways than school).

I'm glad I went into nursing. I had been leaning towards special education- but changed my mind...and that was good :) But whatever you do, it shouldn't be as stressful getting there- that's a big red flag in my book, but only you know what you really want- best of luck :up:

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I guess I will give it some time (at least 1 year), see what it's like for real, see if I can get some sort of work. I wasn't exactly getting too much out of not being in a program. In the meantime, I will apply to different fields too, if for some reason I decide I want out. I just thought I was sure of this. But it really seems more of a trial and error ordeal for me, personally.

With me, I also tend to stress out about everything. I was stressed in high school, I was stressed in university but have definitely learned better coping skills to after some CBT. Basic worrier.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, OB/GYN, ER, Geriatrics.

It sounds like nursing is not for you. I am in school to become a nurse because this is my passion. I know the risks of getting injured ect, but take proper precautions to avoid getting injured.

If something is your passion and desire, then all the other stuff goes away and you just protect yourself from injury.

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It sounds like nursing is not for you. I am in school to become a nurse because this is my passion. I know the risks of getting injured ect, but take proper precautions to avoid getting injured.

If something is your passion and desire, then all the other stuff goes away and you just protect yourself from injury.

You forgot to take into account, that I am very neurotic. :lol2: :clown: I think I've calmed down a little bit, I had a chat with my future-nurse brother about it. Whether or not nursing is for me, I guess only time will tell. Not everyone goes into the healthcare because of passion. Some do for the prestige, others for the money. Others just simply don't care about what career they do as long as itis sufficient for their needs. I'd like to think people don't go into healtcare for other reasons than passion or altruistic reasons, but I personally believe that as long as you can be an efficient healthcare practitioner, (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, etc, you name it) then it is up to their business and choices. I used to be really upset at people who are in it for titles or money, but I think I've come to see that it really doesn't matter to other people given the above conditions. As long as you can be a good practitioner, it doesn't matter why you go into it.

Having said that, time and life is priceless. The question is, what price is one willing to pay for happiness or what price are you willing to pay for prestige and money. I do think if money is what people aim to do, business seems like the less dangerous alternative.

I've also come to the conclusion, only I can decide what is right for me...though others will give their opinion if it's right or wrong course to take.

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No one will call you out if you decide that this is not the profession for you. Quite honestly you know by your second week of clinicals if this is something you want to do. Keep an open mind though. Most nurses do not do bedside nursing forever. Many go on to management, or work on the paperwork side of nursing. There are MANY options beside direct patient care in a hospital setting...maybe that is more your style but only you can decide. GL!

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