My Dr Says No to Nursing For Me

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Well, my PCP has told me she would not recommend me for nursing due to my health problems. I was hoping that I would be able to pursue nursing. I have always wanted to be a nurse or social worker. Looks like now I will be pursuing the social work. Thank goodness the classes I am taking this semester can be incorporated into the Human Services Program at the community college I am going to. I am very, very dissapointed. My doctor stated there is no way I could be on my feet for 12 hour or even 8 hour shifts. It has been a pleasure to post on here and read everyones stories. May the best happen for each one of you and you reach your goals. Blessings to all.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

I'm so sorry that you're unable to go to nursing school, but social work is also a much-needed service. Best wishes to you in attaining your goals.

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have you cunsulted another doctor? Also not to be nosy but what conditions can keep you from being a nurse?

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Specializes in Psych.

I know that must be disappointing. I have asthma that can be severe and have wondered how I will manage to function for two years of nursing school. It's good that you have another plan and that your credits will apply towards social work. {{{hugs}}}

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Have you considered a second opinion? I have a ton of medical problems... now surfacing since I started nursing school, but there are medications I take to combat my problems and I will never give up. I don't think anyone could tell me I can't.... because I can dangitt!

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I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue (which I have battled both for years and yet somehow I keep on going) I am 100 + lbs overweight (which I am having surgery when this semester is over - weight loss surgery) I have bad knees and hips. I am diabetic, high blood pressure which after I have the surgery that should all come under control. My doctor just really has some concerns about me physically being able to do the job. I had made my mind up that I could do nursing. I was planning on working three nights and have the rest of my days off. I know there are nurses that have health problems. I was going for my LPN which I know would really limit me on where I could work. I'm wondering about the RN program and if being an RN would give me a lot more flexibility about what type of work I could do. I was a Workman's Compensation Claims Adjuster for 21 years. I wonder about case management? I also thought what about a school nurse?

Any thoughts any of you have is greatly appreciated. I am thinking I might still do the LPN and bridge over to the RN for more flexible work options. I have no desire to work in a hospital. Blessings to all.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Good luck to you.

Although you will hear many stories of people with bad backs, bad kness and tons of other health problems that are managing in nursing, it's not worth your health if you are just starting out and you're wise to listen to your MDs advice. Life's too short to leave work everyday in poor physical condition.

Best of luck in all that you do.

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I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue (which I have battled both for years and yet somehow I keep on going) I am 100 + lbs overweight (which I am having surgery when this semester is over - weight loss surgery) I have bad knees and hips. I am diabetic, high blood pressure which after I have the surgery that should all come under control. My doctor just really has some concerns about me physically being able to do the job. I had made my mind up that I could do nursing. I was planning on working three nights and have the rest of my days off. I know there are nurses that have health problems. I was going for my LPN which I know would really limit me on where I could work. I'm wondering about the RN program and if being an RN would give me a lot more flexibility about what type of work I could do. I was a Workman's Compensation Claims Adjuster for 21 years. I wonder about case management? I also thought what about a school nurse?

Any thoughts any of you have is greatly appreciated. I am thinking I might still do the LPN and bridge over to the RN for more flexible work options. I have no desire to work in a hospital. Blessings to all.

Im sorry but you really should get a second opinion. I see MANY, MANY nurses at my facility that are 100+ pounds overweight and are still working as nurses, The health problems you mentioned plague many nurses as well. Do not let one MD change your dream. Consider talking to another MD>

Good LUck:smilecoffeeIlovecof

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

Unless your physician is confirming what you know to be true yourself - I'd seek a second opinion.

Just a general obvservation and my own personal opinion - I think physicians words have far too much weight often times. It is incredible how much their advice and medical diagnoses can vary.

Even if you had to work extra-hard through your clinicals and suffer a bit, there are many nursing jobs that are not in the hospital setting. For example, my mother works at an insurance company with RN case managers. One of the newest RN case managers there just graduated from an ADN program. She has health problems and said that clinicals were brutal for her. But she made it through with the goal in mind of working UR or case management out of the hospital setting. She said that she knew that a nursing degree would open more doors than a social work degree.

Maybe your doctor is right - maybe he is not. No need to reply here, because your health is a personal matter. Just my thoughts.

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Thanks for all your replies. You know, I have been thinking about this all day. I have waited YEARS to pursue nursing. I completed my cna training in October 2006, I got my cpr certification, put my application packet together and submitted it for the Fall 07 LPN classes. I went in Dec 2006 and took the ACT (I was the oldest one there) I came out with a 22 as a composite score. I have decided not to roll over and just give this up. I am taking three classes this semester which is required in the LPN program, if I get accepted (won't know until March or April) I will graduate the end of December 2008. I know the weight loss surgery (which I am committed to doing whatever I have to) is going to help take care of several of the health problems I currently have, including helping my knees and hips with all that extra weight off. This is my dream, I know I can do it. I got to thinking how it was before when I was a claims adjuster, I simply could not sit in the chair for hours. I am better off when I am up walking rather than sitting. Let me get my LPN, then I will bridge over to the RN program if I want to. Sooo, it looks like I will still be here on the boards with you all - I don't want to go to college for 4 years to get a bachelors degree in social work, I would much rather have my RN degree in 4 years. Blessings to all!

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......

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We are not able to go too far in medical advice on this site. Have read all of your posts so far and wanted to let you know that in my class in school, there was a morbidly obese student who got pregnant for the 7th time and was not penalized at all. Other people missed classes d/t various medical reasons, as long as they did not go beyond the stated limits, they were not penalized; warned, maybe, but not kicked out. I agree with everyone else who states that you should see another doctor. And for that matter, I have seen morbidly obese nurses and nursing assts, on the job. Some were very efficient, some were held back, some used their conds to back off from tasks. It is up to you, once you are accepted into nrsg school to keep the PTB from targeting you. The surgery should help. You definitely need to start, with little steps, now, to address your hlth probs to make any possible adjustments. AT ANY RATE, IF YOU WANT TO BE A NURSE BADLY ENOUGH, YOU CAN DO IT. Do not give up easily!! Good luck.

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