Medical Conditions

[itskritz]

Are there any medical conditions which would prevent someone from becoming a nurse (i.e. STD's)?

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Are there any medical conditions which would prevent someone from becoming a nurse (i.e. STD's)?

I don't know of any offhand, even nurses with Hep C and HIV are practicing, and as long as everyone observes standard precautions there shouldn't be any additional risks. Acute conditions (such as diarrhea/vomiting) and those requiring tight management of symptoms (epilepsy, diabetes type I) are more problematic; so are diseases that affect the whole body, like MS. And of course, uncontrolled/untreated psychiatric disorders, including active addiction to drugs and/or alcohol, make it very difficult to function in this environment.

But as far as medical conditions go, I can't think of any that would forever and always rule out pursuit of a healthcare career. Anyone else?

[fluffwad]

Medical conditions that might prevent someone from becoming a nurse could include:

blindness

deafness

mental retardation

physical impairments such as paraplegia

mental illnesses that effect judgement

someone who is in frail health and should not be exposed to infectious diseases ( HIV , immunodeficiency disorders, transplant recipients)

STDs don't automatically disqualify someone from being a nurse.

[jenni82104]

I have a minor condition that I would like to ask about. I have hypoglycemia. What worries me about this is I have been reading about how nurses rarely get a lunch even when they work 12 hr. shifts! This really concerns me, because if I don't eat something small every 3 hrs. or so, I risk feeling sweaty, shaky, and faint later on. Will this condition prohibit me from being an effective nurse?

[student4ever]

I have a minor condition that I would like to ask about. I have hypoglycemia. What worries me about this is I have been reading about how nurses rarely get a lunch even when they work 12 hr. shifts! This really concerns me, because if I don't eat something small every 3 hrs. or so, I risk feeling sweaty, shaky, and faint later on. Will this condition prohibit me from being an effective nurse?

I don't see why not! Even though sometimes it's tough to get a meal break, a quick snack from the vending machine or that you brough from home should be able to be squeezed in. I know I'm always snacking at work, in between various duties. Just try and get the kinds of things that will keep you going, rather than very sweet foods that do the quick fix and then let you drop even lower. It may make it more difficult for you throughout a 12 hour shift, but as long as you keep snacks on hand, you should be fine!

[SmilingBluEyes]

I suffer frequent hyoglycemia myself---learned to bring snacks I can take on the go, like energy bars or slimfast type drinks. They do work. No reason you can't be a nurse if I CAN.

[anaon]

I have a weird dull pain in the groin area, and it doesn't go away except when I sleep. I seems to only come about when I wear any kind of trousers and when I don't have them on it goes away. When I'm at work I have to reposition my trousers to keep them from squeesing against the testes and then I can still feel it, not as intense but it's there and uncomfortable.

I had a condition before and it was treated, but along with the medication, and pain killers, I borrowed my gf's skirt for a few days (even her really loose sweats irritated the area) and it seemed to solve the problem. Now I know that a doc probably won't advise me to wear something like that (around here in the midwest) but it really did help. I'm also wandering if wearing loose clothes/skirts is called for a prescription or just medication.

[Hoozdo, ADN]

Medical conditions that might prevent someone from becoming a nurse could include:

blindness

deafness

mental retardation

physical impairments such as paraplegia

mental illnesses that effect judgement

someone who is in frail health and should not be exposed to infectious diseases ( HIV , immunodeficiency disorders, transplant recipients)

STDs don't automatically disqualify someone from being a nurse.

I am a liver recipent of 6 years and I didn't let that fact stop me from becoming a nurse. I am happily working in the MICU now surrounded by MRSA and VRE. Strict precautions are called for and common sense. Knock on wood, I have never gotten sick from a patient through clinicals, my preceptorship in an ICU, or working in the ICU. I will never work in an emergency room though; you never know what you could be dealing with. At least in the ICU I know what the patient has and take proper precautions.

In nursing school there was a student with only one arm. He had some innovative methods for doing skills.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I have a minor condition that I would like to ask about. I have hypoglycemia. What worries me about this is I have been reading about how nurses rarely get a lunch even when they work 12 hr. shifts! This really concerns me, because if I don't eat something small every 3 hrs. or so, I risk feeling sweaty, shaky, and faint later on. Will this condition prohibit me from being an effective nurse?

I have problems if I don't eat at least every three to four hours. I work 12-hours on a busy med-surg floor, and no I don't get meal breaks every four hours, but I grap an apple and eat it on the run, I eat "bars" such as Luna Bars or The Zone Bars, or string cheese, but the point is I honor my body and take care of myself. When I'm reviewing a chart, or charting, or going after supplies, there are plenty of times to scarf down a snack (not the best way to appraoch it, but it keeps me feed and my blood glucose levels stable.) Usually in the afternoon when I'm charting, I'm eating berries or other fruit.

I always, 100% of the time get a lunch. It's a priority. I may not get it on time or on any set schedule, but I eat one good meal while at work.

Good luck in all that you do.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I have a weird dull pain in the groin area, and it doesn't go away except when I sleep. I seems to only come about when I wear any kind of trousers and when I don't have them on it goes away. When I'm at work I have to reposition my trousers to keep them from squeesing against the testes and then I can still feel it, not as intense but it's there and uncomfortable.

I had a condition before and it was treated, but along with the medication, and pain killers, I borrowed my gf's skirt for a few days (even her really loose sweats irritated the area) and it seemed to solve the problem. Now I know that a doc probably won't advise me to wear something like that (around here in the midwest) but it really did help. I'm also wandering if wearing loose clothes/skirts is called for a prescription or just medication.

I'm going to guess this is a serious post and not a troll, even though it has nothing to do with the op's question, but you are asking about a medical condition. What to wear probably falls under MD recommendations and he/she won't write a script.

Can you share what this "condition" is called. We're all nurses and/or students here and are professional. But we don't give medical advice. Maybe someone else has had this "condition" and can tell you what they did to get through nursing work. (Although the male forum may be better.)

I'm sorry for your problem. Loose scrubs and boxer shorts are fairly comfortable and perhaps can get you through work. I doubt your boss would appreciate you wearing a skirt.

[CodyRN]

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