nursing career without touching people

[confusedstudent2011]

I am about to graduate with my BSN and I absolutely do not want to be a nurse that has patient contact. My second semester of nursing school I had an exposure at clinical and I have since been diagnosed with PTSD and OCD. I have been taking medication and I am currently going to therapy but I am absolutely terrified of anything relating touching people of any nursing tasks. I was wondering what I can do with my degree that would not entail touching people (preferably office work) with no experience. Thank you so much

[Jenni811, RN]

That's pretty harsh. I hope you never have to experience PTSD-----it's not fun.

im sorry, it is the reality of it though. There really is nothing you can do with a nursing degree without touching people.

I don't get what this has to deal with me ever having to experience PTSD? it really has no coo relation with me, so i don't understand why you even brought that up.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

im sorry, it is the reality of it though. There really is nothing you can do with a nursing degree without touching people.

I don't get what this has to deal with me ever having to experience PTSD? it really has no coo relation with me, so i don't understand why you even brought that up.

And that's a bit of the issue- being able to put yourself in someone else's shoes, even if you don't totally understand. You know they are struggling and at least acknowledge that. True- it's not about you. But it is very real and painful for the other person. :heartbeat

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

im sorry, it is the reality of it though. There really is nothing you can do with a nursing degree without touching people.

I don't get what this has to deal with me ever having to experience PTSD? it really has no coo relation with me, so i don't understand why you even brought that up.

It's called empathy.

[NPvampire, MSN, RN, APRN]

Whoa...*shaking head* what about teaching nursing at a high school? That's mostly mannequins; our local nurse teacher has 50% general health classes for the whole school.

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

Excellent idea, vampire!

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

Whoa...*shaking head* what about teaching nursing at a high school? That's mostly mannequins; our local nurse teacher has 50% general health classes for the whole school.

WOW- that is great :)

[OhioCCRN, MSN, NP]

im going to take the unpopular route on this one still..

If you HAVE PTSD r/t NURSING, why would you willingly go into it?

As a new nurse you will be abused/ridiculed, made to feel like the chewing gum that was stuck on the shoe that walked all over dog poop.

If you are (and you are by you own admission) unstable in the environment, it may be safer for you to chose another career as someone pointed out, your credits will transfer...

In this economy, new nurses cannot pick and chose, and those that do are few and far between...

Some posters were harsh in their approach (myself included ) but OP that IS the REALITY of the market out there.

Good luck to you in getting help for you condition.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

im going to take the unpopular route on this one still..

If you HAVE PTSD r/t NURSING, why would you willingly go into it?

As a new nurse you will be abused/ridiculed, made to feel like the chewing gum that was stuck on the shoe that walked all over dog poop.

If you are (and you are by you own admission) unstable in the environment, it may be safer for you to chose another career as someone pointed out, your credits will transfer...

In this economy, new nurses cannot pick and chose, and those that do are few and far between...

Some posters were harsh in their approach (myself included ) but OP that IS the REALITY of the market out there.

Good luck to you in getting help for you condition.

It developed DURING nursing school :)

[AOX4RN, MSN, RN, NP]

Unfortunately, the office-type nursing jobs that involve absolutely no patient contact will almost universally require several years of hands-on patient care in a bedside nursing position. Most, if not all, nursing 'desk jobs' require that you do your time in the trenches and provide care to patients for a few years at the very least.

My instructor's brother has an MSN and other than clinical rotations has never done bedside nursing/direct patient care. He's a case manager for one of the biggest HMOs in the Western US.

[DookieMeisterRN]

I'm not a Mod, but I really think the time has come to close this thread.

The OP has been given several good suggestions. Now people are just bickering with each other.

Give it a rest people. Some people mis-judged the OP, given the circumstances of the post it was easily done.

I second that. Give it a rest, I guess some just love a good argument at someone else's expense.

[casi, ASN, RN]

I think you really need to evaluate the "no patient contact" thing.

Is there any circumstances where you would be willing to have some contact?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

My instructor's brother has an MSN and other than clinical rotations has never done bedside nursing/direct patient care. He's a case manager for one of the biggest HMOs in the Western US.

Yes, there are exceptions. A very small minority of nurses have gotten desk jobs with no bedside experience. However, the vast majority of nurses who desire a desk job with no patient contact will need experience with hands-on patient care.