Multiple Sclerosis and Nursing School

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Hi everyone,

I am a first semester nursing student, and I have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis for 3 years. I am in my 9th week of school, and I think I'm suffering from a relapse/exacerbation. Due to the stress, my MS has had an effect on my mobility. My legs were so heavy leaving class a week ago that I had to drag my legs in the parking lot to get to my car. My legs were too heavy to lift.

I am feeling as though the stress or nursing school and possibly my future career as a nurse may not be for me. The stress level has effected me physically and it's been devastating. I left my job working with children (which was my past 12 years of work experience) to pursue nursing school. I can't help but re-evaluate my life and wonder if teaching might be my true calling. That being said, I worked SO HARD to get into nursing school and never let MS stop me. This time around, it has.

Just curious to get some opinions on my situation?

Thank you everyone.

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Have you talked to your teachers? Do you feel comfortable enough to? I feel like they could help you best.

However, I wouldn't look at it as if you're giving up nursing because you let MS stop you, but just that you would be happier as a teacher. I can't believe no one helped you in the parking lot, sorry you have been having a hard time.

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Thank you for your comment and opinion. I'm leaning towards teaching, just feeling sad that this has happened and it has really made me re-evaluate nursing unfortunately.

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Specializes in NICU.

Nursing school only gets more stressful as the semesters progress (papers, exams, projects, clinicals). Depending on the job you can get once you graduate, it could be even more stressful. Med/Surg floors have a 4/5/6:1 ratio. Are you going to able to work 12 hrs with a 4-6 patient assignment?

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I'm sorry about the MS flare-up. It's got to be hard physically and emotionally. I do agree with others that nursing school is going to get so much more stressful as you progress. I have fibromyalgia and a couple of other chronic issues and I've made it to my senior semester, but I am so beat up and worn out- I don't know if I'm going to be able to cut it with 12 hr shifts once I graduate. I'm rethinking everything like you... [emoji53]

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I've worked with a nurse who has MS. She was able to work in nursing (most recently on a cardiac tele floor) with the occasional flare up. Recently she was in a car accident and broke her arm amongst other things. According to her, the stress from her injuries related to the car accident plus being out on an extended medical leave has led to several MS exacerbations. She hasn't worked in about 6 months now. Despite her situation she is a great nurse. I know she would encourage you to follow your passion as she has.

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