Nursing with cancer

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I have a question out of curiosity :confused:. Can a student get accepted into a nursing program if they have a history or currently have cancer, of any type? If so is there a waiting period? Is it any difference if it is a BSN or ADN program? :uhoh3:

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Nope shouldn't matter unless the student is currently immunocompromised.

Even then, its up to the student.

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Okay thank you!

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To be able to attend clinicals you have to have your doctor perform a physical exam on you. If you are not in remission from cancer, you probably will not pass the exam. My best friend had cancer and they wouldn't pass her to even get her learner's permit.

That being said, if you are still sick or just recently found out that you are in remission, I would go with a BSN program. First of all, most employers require this. Second of all, it gives you time to focus on easier classes before you start your nursing requirements (first 2 years general education, last 2 years nursing/clinicals). I know that my instructors are not compassionate towards us at all. We had a girl get sick to the point where she could only use one side of her body and they still expected her to be there and pretend like nothing was going on. Needless to say, she is repeating the semester.

Good luck, and you can achieve your dreams no matter how long it may take! Focus on getting better before you try to take care of everyone else! :)

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Thanks tas026.What school do you go to? I don't have cancer I was curious because I have family members who do. I have a cousin who wanted to be a nurse but her cancer continues to come back from remission. I wondered what illness or sickness will prevent a person from attending nursing school.

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Well I'm glad to hear you are okay! I go to school in Lancaster General. I'm getting my associates and then doing my bachelors while working. Right now my school has the ADN and ADN to BSN, but they are considering making in BSN only.

I think it's a good idea to get anything under control before considering a career in nursing. You really have to be able to put the patient first, and while going through something so difficult in your personal life, that's nearly impossible! I have a lot of stomach problems, and I just got them under control before nursing school started. I can't imagine being on the clinical floor and passing out! Cancer is especially difficult with all of the bacteria in the hospital and the stress.

I don't think any illness or sickness in particular will stop you from becoming a nurse. It's more about how you can control your illness on the floor. At my school, you can miss no more than 16 hours of clinical time before you are kicked out of the program.

I hope your cousin gets better and is able to follow her dreams!

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thank you! im glad you are better as well

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I have a friends with thyroid cancer and she was accepted into a nursing program @ our local community college. She did decline because of how the treatments were affecting her. Take care.

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My school did not require that we get a physical from the doctor. We only had to be current with vaccinations and get boosters or titers done.

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