Nurses as SUPERHUMANS!!

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Hello. I was reading another post on here about what nurses are responsible for lifting and someone said that finally there are lifting machines and nurses do not have to lift very obese patients on their own and be superhumans anymore........ that made me think.... I have thought about posting this concern and was debating it..... seeing this about superhumans made me decide to go ahead and do it.

I have a mild health condition and have to take meds at certain times and eat a bite here and there through-out the day. When I first started RN school a year ago, one of the nursing instructors asked me why I wanted to be a nurse and I told her of my condition and that was one of the reasons I wanted to be a nurse....... her response.... she stopped writing on her desk, looked up at me and said, "You are a XXX patient and you want to be a NURSE?????" I tried explaining to her my meds and that for the most part I am just fine. Anyway, we were having post conference a few days ago after clinical and I told my RN instructor that I really liked the OR and her response, "How are you going to work in the OR when you have to take meds and eat on occasion?" I had to explain my situation again. Basically I am getting really tired of having to explain myself and my condition. I know the concept is that nurses are supposed to be gladiators, so I guess that means you have to be perfect and can have nothing wrong with you. :uhoh3:If I am working in the OR, I can take my meds a little later OR when I know the schedule of the patients for the day, I can plan my meds and food around it within an hour or two. I have taken six meds a day for years and know my schedule well. There are numerous shifts and numerous positions available for nurses. I happen to like the OR very much and do not want my handicap to stop me. Just because someone has a handicap does not mean they can't be a nurse. Yes.. it may be a little challenging in the OR, but don't throw me out because of my condition. I guess they forget I am one of the top nursing students in the class. My condition has not stopped me yet, OR any of the patients I have attended to as a SN. Sorry for the vent, but thanks for listening!!!! I feel much better now!!!

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

You go girl!:yeah::yeah:

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

Nothing is predictable in nursing. In other words, the simple surgical procedure that was supposed to take only 2 hours often consume 6 hours of everyone's time due to unforeseen complications. In addition, the action does not stop due to one employee's health condition. Sorry, but this is the blunt truth.

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Ok... so I should just be honest with myself and say the OR is probably not a place for me?? I am not all that familiar with the OR- been in there three times, but is there another nurse that could "cover" for me while I step outside and take my medicine for a moment? Would that work?? No?? Help.

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You just can't "step out" of the OR if you are the instruments nurse. You'd have to scrub up again.

It's the same on the floor. You go into do a quick wound vac change and before you know it, it's an hour later.

It's bad enough in L&D (speaking as a former patient) when the nurse you trust finishes her shift/goes on her scheduled meal breaks while you are in labour and you have to build a rapport with the next shift.

Co-workers can only be expected to cover so many times before they resent it. Patients also notice when the nurse keeps stepping in and out.

Blunt but true.

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Ok... well what do you think my options are then besides working in a doctor's office where things are not usually emergent-- where I can take a pill and swig a drink?? I work fine and I am doing fine in school, I just have to take my meds. I would hate my health to tie me up, but it looks like it might. :(

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Med-Surg..

I don't know your illness but in the hospital and the O.R., people code all the time and this can be a challenge depending your illness and how you manage it. You may need to try a few differing practice settings, hopefully during clinical to find what works best with your health. I tend to get hypoglycemic at times so to combat this, I try to eat a balanced meal at breaks and I keep a few hard candies or a cereal bar in my pocket so I don't get feeling really yucky if I have to miss a meal.

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Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.

I cannot see why someone who has to take medications cannot work as a nurse! There are many fields you can work in! In med/surg you can getoff the floor for one second to take your medications!

Don't let people put you down! You can nurse! I've seen nurses with diabetes who have checked their BGLs. I have seen others request to have their BPs taken, some of them regularly.

To 'have a go' at one of our own for having a condition is equivalent to 'eating our young'.

Nurses are not superhuman, if we were then this message board wouldnt exist!

You will succeed, despite all the doubters. Especially those of us who don't know your condition...

Best of luck, and have every faith in yourself

Jay

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Maybe an ambulatory surgery setting would work, where many of the procedures are shorter...

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Thanks for all the replies and especially nyapa!! :) I was in the Day Surgery OR- so good thinking jkal. The longest surgery I had was two hours and I did not need any meds at that time. I was fine. Yes... that is more of the OR type work I was thinking of-- Day Surgery. I had two surgeries and the head nurse let me go take my meds before the surgery and when it was done I took the rest of them.. no problems. Yeah... I was thinking of diabetics... they have to check their sugar and take meds... I am sure they work in OR's. I REALLY REALLY liked the OR. I loved it actually. So I may try it and just see how it goes. So far with school and clinicals I have managed my meds Ok with no problems. I may just go for it. :) You don't know unless you try. I want to be there for my patients of course and I think I can manage it. I will surely try. I will. :) Thanks.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Epona:

Your instructor is a nut. Many nurses have different conditions that they work around every living day. Heck, I'm a pregnant nurse right now and I have to fit in extra snacks and even (gasp) sit for a minute or two to get off of my feet. You make it work and there are so many different areas and opportunities in nursing I cannot believe your instructor would behave in such a manner. You go and complete school, pass those boards and get to work! You already seem to have a great nurse's attitude!

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"Of course you can't work in the OR, in fact you probably can't be a nurse. Might as well quit now. Nurses don't get acute or chronic illnesses, or injuries. Nurses never injure their backs 'cus of obese patients, we also never get colds, gi bugs or anything like that. I'm sure you instructor is in perfect health with the body of god. Because nurses are never overweight. Also nurses never smoke, or get angry for that matter. Nurses "are" superhumans!"

(sarcasm)

don't put too much worry into your instructor, in fact what she said in post conference seemed a bit unprofessional to me. I've had instructors say some things simialr to that but they've been wrong. And even if the OR doens't work out, there are sooooo many other places that will.

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