New start date, feel anxious, need advice...

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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I had a start date of April 09, for LPN classes and got a lettter yesterday from my community college that I can move up to a start date of Oct 08. Since this was my original start without hesitation, I called and accepted the new date. I have 2 areas of concern: I have not done any pre-reqs because I thought I had a year till my start date and illness. Now it seems like a big load of credits to finish by October. The second area of concern is I want to be as healthy as I can be to be my best. Due to diabetes I have Charcot Neurophathy in my right foot and have been wearing a walking air boot since Jan. On March 14th I couldn't breathe, shallow breathing and I would become winded after walking10-15 ft. My husband drove me to the emergency room and after a chest x-ray, cat-scan I was dianosed with a pulmonary emboli/pnuemonia. I'am glad they figure out what it was, because with all the reading I've been doing lung bloodclots do not get caught till it's to late. I was released from the hospital on oxygen, I still had trouble breathing, just got the order from my doctor today that I can stop oxygen all together, I feel pretty good... from the stand point of doing nothing. Now leaping in this schedule I feel anxious, and nervous. I'am willing to take advice or listen to suggestions, I may be overthinking, I have a tendency to do that. :wink2:

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Wow. You have been through a lot! I am trying to think of words of encouragement for you, but, we both know I would be fibbing if I just said "You can do it, one step at a time!"

Realistically, your health comes first.

Now for the bad news.

Nursing is HARD WORK. but, before we go there, so is nursing school. You may want to talk to your nursing advisor about your health issues... not the regular generic guidance counselors, but, someone in the nursing department before your start date. I had a fellow student who broke her foot, thereby getting her tossed out of clinicals, and school, for a semester. She was not allowed in the hospital with a boot like you are wearing. Remember, when it comes time for clinicals, you are doing the same, and expected to behave/look/act the same as if this were your place of employment. I am concerned that you may not be physically able to turn someone, hold them up on their side while cleaning their peri area, and keep on going.

I strongly advise you to take care of your health first, and possibly move your date back to next year.:twocents:

Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Moved to the LPN/LVN Student forum.

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Specializes in PCU/CICU.

I just wanted to comment on the boot. I broke my foot a couple months into the LPN program and was in a walking boot. My Dr. cleared me to do clinicals and my school had no problem as long as it was medically cleared. I didn't have any problems doing my clinicals in that boot.

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Hi,

Sorry to hear of your recent health issues. I am kind of in the same boat. I applied to school and have already taken my entrance exam. I have my interview next week. If all goes well I should be starting at the end of this August.

I have been really ill for the last several years. I was wrongly dx'd with MS and it ended up being Lyme disease. I was so so sick. I still have multiple health problems because of it. I no longer need a PICC line though and I have been off of oral abx for about 5 weeks now.

I have been really stressed, scared, anxious..you name it...about starting my LPN program. It has been something I have wanted to do for so long. I am concerned about being able to handle everything due to my illness.

I have decided to stop worrying about it and go for it. I think I would feel like more of a failure if I just didn't try.

I really know where you are coming from. I say GO FOR IT.

My new life motto is...The only way out is through.

We will get through this and we will be nurses.

Good luck to you and I sending healthy wishes your way.:heartbeat

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I would ask to be deferred back to the 2009 date. Less pressure on you to get the pre-reqs done and time to get your strength back.

Nursing school drains you. The PN programme is intense. Pretty much everyone in my cohort came down with a case of the flu during the four semesters.

So get yourself healthy and go from there.

Good luck.

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Hi,

I am sorry u have been through such a ruff time.... Being honest with you is what I prefer to do here, I dont want to discourage you , But your health comes first, Just to let u know there is alot of stress with PN school, because its so intense, You need to be sure you are ready for the challenge not only mentally but physically as well. Within the first month of starting school last year I came down with the flu, I never get sick so I am pretty sure it was the stress , at the time I was taking A&P, we had only 4 weeks of A&P and it was extremely stressful, We were taking at least 2 tests a week and that does not count for quizzes we were being given as well... That was just ANATOMYS......

Recently I came down with Bronchitis, I did not have time to get to my doctor b/c I was in my last week of Fundamentals and preparring for our final. At the starting of Pharm I had to drop because I was doing so bad I had severe restriction to my lungs and I ended up hospitalized twice. The stress is overwhelming at time but If your going to get through make sure ur prepared.

Good Luck......

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