Need neck surgery before starting RN program

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I got accepted to one of the hardest nursing schools in my area. I have a problem. I just found out I have a herniated disc with a bulge pushing on my spinal cord and need surgery. I am suppose to start school in a week. What am I to do? If I tell them I won't be able to attend school, if I don't tell them and start I am in constant pain and have a nerve in my right arm that is not functioning correctly and won't be able to lift or do some tasks. I was thinking I could suffer through until Spring break, but don't know if I could or can. Especially if clinicals is labor intensive. I am in my 50's and have really worked hard for my pre req's and don't know what to do. Since I am older I am afraid of putting it off plus I had to weight 5 months since applying. Thoughts?

Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

Sounds like you have a cervical disc herniation. Been there, done that. Recovery from the surgery is no picnic. No way you'll be able to do school immediately after but the longer you put it off the more nerve damage will be done. You're health is more important.

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Yes, it is herniated with a bulge that has caused damage to my spinal cord. I just don't want to give up. I am traveling to another city for care, needing a much more specialized surgeon that Kansas City fails to offer.

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*does matter

Actually the person you corrected is correct. It is "do matter" because she wrote it in a way that it is actually one thing.

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Yes , correct usage of the English language does matter. I have nerve damage in my arms and thus difficult to type on phone and computer. If you want to talk about my education and lack there of is tacky especially since I received credits for Comp 1 (received a B) and Comp 2 (received an A) in the 1990's. I have a 4.0 in sciences and with 9 years of college I am educated. Texting and typing is extremely difficult and maybe you shouldn't judge so harshly. FYI took me about 10 minutes to type this. I am not looking for employment, I own my own medical spa and have for 8 years. I want to obtain the RN license for clients and myself. (I hope I don't have any grammer mistakes or typos!).

As someone who has had the surgery and not a medical person I will give you some advice. The recovery is long. I had to wear a collar for 6 weeks 24/7 then another 6 weeks for showering and while in the car. You can't sit for more than 30 minutes and they encourage walking which helps in the fusion process. I was given pain killers and muscle relaxers to deal with the pain. You can't lift anything heavier than 5 pounds. Sleeping will be a pain-I spend my nights in a recliner.

Like someone said, the nerve damage will only get worst with time. Better to have it now than wait.

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This is only true of they are both singular subjects. However, being that the forward slash is used between I am assuming she is meaning grammar AND spelling, which would make it a plural subject. In this case the third person plural form of the verb "to do" is correct.

On the original subject of the post, if it were me I would seek out all options and a second or third opinion. To be clear, I'm not giving any tx advice. I'm just putting myself in someone else's shoes. Depending on the findings there could be many avenues to approach treatment, perhaps less invasive and equally or more effective. Once cut you cannot put back. But, that's just me.

KO

There's not a lot of options for a cervical disc herniation after you've tried all conservative treatments. Unlike the back you have a better chance of becoming paralyzed if you have a car accident or a slip and fall. Her symptoms will only get worse if she has nerve damage now.

If you've never had a herniated disc you have no idea what the pain is like. I have and I can tell you it's the worst pain I ever experienced. So in this case you really can't "put yourself in someone's shoes" if you haven't already been in those shoes.

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Specializes in GI Surgery Step-down.
"Weight" should be "wait."

"Especially if clinicals is..." Should be "clinicals are..."

I wish that your hard-won pre-reqs had prepared you more thoroughly in the written English language.

Haters:

Hate all you want. Grammar/spelling do matter. The sooner OP realizes this, the better. I know for a fact that some (if not all) managers throw out resumes for the slightest grammar/spelling mistake in order to whittle down the number of applicants for any given opening.

You are really rude! We are not discussing her English grammar. There is a lot of nurses that can speak very well English but can't start to an IV.. Anyway we are not discussing English grammar here.

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Specializes in Emergency, ICU.

I would approach the school and talk to them about a leave of absence until the next semester. Do your surgery now and recover. Good luck! I know that pain is not easy to live with.

Sent from my iPhone -- blame all errors on spellcheck

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Specializes in Short Term/Skilled.
"Weight" should be "wait."

"Especially if clinicals is..." Should be "clinicals are..."

I wish that your hard-won pre-reqs had prepared you more thoroughly in the written English language.

Haters:

Hate all you want. Grammar/spelling do matter. The sooner OP realizes this, the better. I know for a fact that some (if not all) managers throw out resumes for the slightest grammar/spelling mistake in order to whittle down the number of applicants for any given opening.

Just so you know, there are many reasons people use words in the wrong context and/or spell words wrong. Sometimes, its because of learning disabilities which only effect their written language, sometimes it's a language barrier, etc.

There is a big difference between posting on a forum and submitting a resume.

It irritates me also when I see errors, but I don't point them out (usually) because of the reasons I listed.

You are not perfect, I'm sure you make mistakes every day. IMO, there is no need for you to call someone out on a couple of spelling/grammar mistakes. You certainly didn't need to be so rude.

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Just so you know, there are many reasons people use words in the wrong context and/or spell words wrong. Sometimes, its because of learning disabilities which only effect their written language, sometimes it's a language barrier, etc.

There is a big difference between posting on a forum and submitting a resume.

It irritates me also when I see errors, but I don't point them out (usually) because of the reasons I listed.

You are not perfect, I'm sure you make mistakes every day. IMO, there is no need for you to call someone out on a couple of spelling/grammar mistakes. You certainly didn't need to be so rude.

I agree. And, thus my post.

KO

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There's not a lot of options for a cervical disc herniation after you've tried all conservative treatments. Unlike the back you have a better chance of becoming paralyzed if you have a car accident or a slip and fall. Her symptoms will only get worse if she has nerve damage now.

If you've never had a herniated disc you have no idea what the pain is like. I have and I can tell you it's the worst pain I ever experienced. So in this case you really can't "put yourself in someone's shoes" if you haven't already been in those shoes.

I sense a little finger-wagging here. A few things to note: I never once stated that I haven't experienced this. To add to that neither did I denigrate her experience. If you go back and read my post I specifically stated that I had no knowledge of the full findings - no exam done. I was simply stating what I might (perhaps I have) done in her case. I guess to take that a step further I also did not state that I have been working in that particular field for 10+ years and have seen/experienced both positive and negative outcomes. But since I didn't mention any of that maybe I could see where I might need to be corrected. Maybe...

OP, please don't take this next part as being directed towards you. I'm just using it as another potential point of clarification for the person that thought I was passing judgement on you and speaking without having any personal or professional experience.

I really enjoy this forum. There are all levels of knowledge on this board. This is very evident when you take a look at the newest posts just to see what's going on in the nursing world. I like to read all types of posts because frequently I can find another angle and perhaps change my opinion on something in some fashion. That said, for those of you that have been in direct patient care have you ever had a patient either misquote a diagnosis or even been given an inaccurate dx from a provider?

Going back to the part I said earlier about not having done an h&p on the OP (nurse or not) I couldn't assume the accuracy of the explanation given. As with all my patient encounters (I know this wasn't one) I prefer to do a thorough exam on all patients that walk through my doors, whether they are referred by another physician or are coming in off the streets. Two very important things in my clinic - the patient's well being and my license to continue to help people.

Now, after having read your reply, OP, it's more understandable what your situation is. Also you've helped to clarify the perceived grammatical errors. I'm sorry that you're experiencing this and wish you well. I switched careers completely when I was in a similar situation and am grateful for the suggestion given by my provider to seek better answers. Prayers to you and your success.

Just a little point of clarification. If that wasn't respectful I apologize because that certainly was not the intent. I'll go back to browsing again. 😉

KO

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Actually the person you corrected is correct. It is "do matter" because she wrote it in a way that it is actually one thing.

Sorry to return to this. But since we're correcting folks her and all, your statement of "do matter" is correct because she writes the subject as "one thing" is actually a false statement. Again, I'm not correcting her. "One thing" how you point it out in this instance refers to what in grammar is called 1st person, singular. The accurate conjugation of the verb "to do" in first person singular is "does". In my former life (before my spinal problems) I was a language arts/Spanish teacher. I liked it so much I still keep up my teaching license!

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Specializes in GI Surgery Step-down.
Sorry to return to this. But since we're correcting folks her and all, your statement of "do matter" is correct because she writes the subject as "one thing" is actually a false statement. Again, I'm not correcting her. "One thing" how you point it out in this instance refers to what in grammar is called 1st person, singular. The accurate conjugation of the verb "to do" in first person singular is "does". In my former life (before my spinal problems) I was a language arts/Spanish teacher. I liked it so much I still keep up my teaching license!

I can't believe this topic converted something else. We are further away what she asking to us. Please read thread title before you respond it. No body care if you are Spanish teacher or not. You can teach somewhere else but this forum is for nurses. I am sure there are ESL forums, or maybe Spanish teachers forum.

She is asking what she can do since she never been in Nursing school. So let's give her helpful advices.

Thanks

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