NP school, i suffer from tics/tourettes

[2bnpcout]

After becoming a nurse 6 years ago, I have wanted to become an NP. My mind and my heart is better suited for that sort of thinking, but I also love and carry the compassion to be at the beside. I plan to keep both of those values close to heart throughout my career.

About a year after graduating and working nightshift, I developed tourettes/tics. My psych physician and NP highly think it is related to lack of sleep, awkward working hours, stress, etc. Even reverting back to a normal life, the hope is slim that my brain will actually reset.

My tics are minor but a big deal to me. My main tic is a nasal sniffing tic. I sniff excessively when around people and mostly, when in a quiet environment.

I really want to go to my local NP school which is all classroom based which is what I prefer/want. I am extremely nervous because of testing and all in a quiet environment. I did speak to the school about disability in regards to testing alone. The only special treatment I really would need is testing alone. I can sit in classes without issues, but in a dead silent environment, my nasal sniffing tic causes EXTREME anxiety and exacerbates. It does not affect my current nursing abilities.

The disability department said, as long as my issue is documented with medical professionals and treatments have been tried, they have to approve it and it is a simple request. I'm scared of my classmates wondering why I am leaving during class when there is a test, I am scared of the professors thinking differently of me, I am afraid of annoying classmates in class if I start sniffing, etc.

I have been treated for years, but mostly all failures. I have tried Clonidine, tenex, anti-psychotics, nicotine therapy, etc.

Any words of advice? I have put off school for years because of this. Please, do not suggest going the online route, that is not for me. I hate myself because of this but I realize it could be much much worse.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

After becoming a nurse 6 years ago, I have wanted to become an NP. Any words of advice? I have put off school for years because of this.

Stop delaying it and go for it!

[lindseylpn]

I've had tics all my life and although I've never been officially diagnosed, I meet all the criteria for tourettes. When I was a child my parents took me to various Drs; eye Drs because I would rapidly blink and roll my eyes and to my PCP and an allergist for tics of sniffing, throat clearing and coughing. The Drs back then just said I have "nervous habits".

I rarely have vocal tics anymore but, occasionally I have one where I'll let out a quick breath and hum although I barely notice it. My everyday tics consist of: wrinkling up my forehead, opening my eyes wide followed be a few rapid blinks, twitching my nose, flexing the muscles in my neck, doing a little quick shake of my head, tensing up my abdominal muscles and playing with/pulling on my hair. I can suppress them for a time but, the urge builds and I have to do them in rapid succession. I also frequently sit on my hands to keep from pulling my hair as I don't usually notice when I start doing it. I go thru periods where they are worse for a few months and then they'll die back down again although they never go away.

When I was younger they really bothered me, I was so self conscious and I would spend a large portion of they day trying to suppress them. Over the years though I've become less embarrassed and realized that people really don't pay that much attention to them and they really are only bothersome to me. My friends and family only mention them if I'm going thru a period when they're worse than normal, otherwise no one says anything. I'll occasionally be talking to someone, like at work and get a weird look from them but, I just say "Oh, I have tics" and continue the conversation. Their usual response is just, "Oh" and that's that. Aside from the occasional headache, neck ache and eye strain from my tics they haven't affected my life at all or held me back in any way.

Go to school and don't let it hold you back. I'm not sure what accommodations could be made, maybe a seat in the back of the room? I assure you most people won't be bothered by any tics you may have. Good luck and I hope things go well for you.

[Grumble88]

Hey there, I recently passed my NP program and passed my board exam. I also suffer from a tic disorder (primarily throat clearing, grunting, sniffing, and blinking). I've dealt with this all my life. It has eased up in my adult years somewhat, but it gets exacerbated greatly when under stress.

I wanted to share to let you know that it's not a hindrance in your NP education, especially if your lucky enough (though you may not feel lucky!) to only have a sniffing tic, which 9/10 people aren't even going to notice. It may seem hugely noticeable to you, but most people are too into their own little world to ever notice mild tics. You also have to consider that you're going to be in class with NURSES, the most caring and accepting group of professionals out there.

Everyone has their burden to bear, this new tic disorder just happens to be yours. Unless you want to be a radio show host a mild tic disorder will never hinder you in a profession, the embarrassment of it only exists in your head. Get out there, live your life, and pursue you goals.

[Malenurse1235954]

I think you just have to do it. People are very mature in NP school, its not high school. Tbh if you were in my class Id be more intrested than anything else. Ive never encountered anyone with tourettes, ever. It would be good to find out the difference betweer reality and what my misconceptions are.

As far as tests there are none this semester and only a few next semester. Its all DNP fluff for the most of 3 semesters