Medical Clearance for Clinicals

[Training2bRN]

my school has a mandatory health form that my doctor must fill out before i can get into clinicals. i am a little worried about this form, because i have been treated for mental illness in the past. i am stable on meds now, but i worry that my instructors might be very prejudiced against the mentally ill, and she might use the subjective nature of grading to kick me out of the program. i am also worried about my weight -- i am semi-obese -- although i did see many other overweight nursing students at my orientation. plus, there is a requirement that i can lift 50 to 100 pounds. i can lift 50, but i doubt i can lift 100 pounds, without some weight training (and i doubt anyone else can in my class). do they actually test you on this lifting requirement, once you are in the program?

any other nursing students with mental illness or weight issues out there? did it cause problems for you at school?

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

Most schools have a health exam by doc before entering the program. If your stable, your doc may not even have to mention anything about your mental health. Have you seen the sheet? If not, ask them for one.

As far as lifting, I don't know many people that can lift 100#s. I know that there is no way that I can safely lift that amount of weight. Don't worry about that part.

Hmm, the weight is an issue that you can start to deal with. I too have some extra weight on me, but I've never had problems. I recently joined weight watchers and am doing the core program. This program gets me back to the basics of eating right as far as fruits, veggies, meats, dairy, and good fats.

I just finished my 3rd semester of an ADN program and I realized that I want to be healthy, not necessarily thin, just eat decent and get some exercise in (even if its walking a little farther). I don't want my future employer to see my being overweight as an issue for hire, I want them to see me. I know that it would be discrimmintation, but during an interview they can choose not to offer anyone a job for whatever reason they want and not tell me why. This may not help much, but your not alone. Good luck

[shock-me-sane]

if you are stable mentally on your meds, I don't think you should consider bringing it up. I doubt that is a question on the paper that needs to be turned in.

When I did my physical it was mainly listening to heart, lungs, vision test and balance. I got it done at the health center at my school and no invasive questions were asked. They just filled out a form that said I am physically healthy to do clinicals. I never had to lift anything (even for my subsequent hospital physicals). I think you should be fine.

Good luck!

[2bNurse Elizabeth]

I think it depends on where you go to school, but all our form at Ivy Tech says is that I'm physically able to fulfill the requirements of the program. I've had open heart surgery and I'm overweight, but my doctor will have no problem saying I can do the program. And don't forget that lifting 100 pounds is different when you're helping to move a person that it is when you try to lift 100 pounds of dumbbells.

[geek, BSN]

I am on antidepressants, although for chronic pain. I also have had heart surgery and have a chronic pain condition so was worried. Like someone else mentioned, our form only had the doctor say we are physically able; and document our vaccinations. I think you'll be fine.

[Altered]

I have quite the opposite problem. I'm concerned with being rejected for being underweight. I've been treated for an eating disorder in the past and my BMI is currently around 17.4. I don't plan on bringing up my past Tx but I'm still worried about being underweight :uhoh21: