Nursing school has been my dream for so very long. Unfortunately though, I've been battling a chronic illness since I was a teenager. I've always done well in school, but physical obstacles/symptoms can get in the way of how much I can push myself at one time. I have mastocytosis, so I have the added factor of being environmentally sensitive and risking anaphylaxis. I also can't get many vaccines and things like that because of anaphylactic allergies to some ingredients (eggs, additives, etc.). I know this may be a problem when trying to get into school.
But my passion is healthcare. My current physician's office even said they would want to hire me if I went through nursing school because of my personal experience in their particular specialty, and I know the environment would be safe for me to work in. But my biggest concern is my health holding up in nursing school. In your opinion, do you think someone with environmental sensitivities and a chronic illness could do it? As a secondary option, I'm look at a surgical tech program at a community college near me (SF Bay Area in CA...nursing school would likely be at Gurnick). But that's not what I truly want- I really want to be a nurse.
I have CVID and am in nursing school, you can waiver the vaccines for personal reasons, it is very hard and I am having to go slower than my fellow students. I am up to date on all my vaccines that I can take. I can't take MMR due to my body then spreading the very infections I am vaccinated with. I also work in health care and my health in terms of that has markedly improved. Currently I am having other issues but that is a different post. Personally I wish I had done something else as there is no understanding about illness or issues in school you have to be there every single day. Even if you are learning about the very subject you have that does not translate to any empathy or understanding as a student. I have gone to school after 12 rounds of diarrhea to learn about electrolyte imbalances and nobody cares. If you don't show up you are a bad student. You can't stay home or call in sick ever. I have gone to school with an active case of Flu and 102 degree fever when the doctor told me to go home and stay in bed and avoid people. You have to be there my instructor was pregnant she told me it was good I was there. I would have been penalized for not being there. You show up unless you are dead and that is it.
Kesia- I am so sorry to hear about your struggle! Gosh, this is all so discouraging. Do you think you will continue/finish Kesia? If I understand your message correctly, you regret your decision to enroll in the program? Do you think your health will suffer in the same way after you graduate and begin work? I was looking at different types of nursing and jobs available in my area and I found a lot of day programs needing nurses for children with developmental disabilities and things like that....eating disorder clinics...so many things that make my heart want to do this job. Those are dream jobs for me. But after reading all of this, I wonder if I have to let go of my dream. Does anyone with a chronic illness actually have a positive story/experience to share about school and their current career? I haven't heard one yet, which may be more evidence that I can't achieve this dream.
" Erythropoesis- the concern for me is not the bacteria or virus in the vaccination, rather the concern is an anaphylactic/mast cell reaction to one of the additives, preservatives or fillers. "
I'm glad YOU clarified that in that I was going to lol for you. I'm surprised it was missed. Not sure what your decision was but NEVER let anyone else dictate what is best for YOU. Like calliotter3 stated above:
' Do your best to reach your goal. If it gets to be too much, then, you may have to quit the program. But I would give myself the chance before giving up '
Bull *** lol. He's not trying to work in the NICU with ' tiny, very sick little people'. I know for a fact that no vaccination based on contraindications or even religious reasons (i.e. Muslim) are allowed at many programs incl one I'm aware of locally, with proper documentation. After becoming RN he has option to decide where he can & cannot work. Sounds like someone is the vaccination queen. Lets protect him from false info:no:.
RadiantLynn- I truly appreciate you encouraging me. This is my dream and I do appreciate people trying to be realistic with me and give me their perspective on what is realistic information/expectations but sometimes I think it's worth it to step "outside of the box" for a moment and see what can be done to pursue a dream in alternative ways. I also appreciate you really hearing me and taking the time to see the details in my situation RadiantLynn. I've been fully vaccinated up until this point but cannot receive further vaccinations (flu, etc.) now because of the additives and whatnot that they put in them. My hope that is even if I wanted to work in a NICU, I would still be considered for the position if I wore a mask during flu season. I pose no risk for carrying any of the childhood diseases required to be vaccinated against because I received those vaccinations as a child. I really don't understand the concept of denying otherwise vaccinated nurses work based on them just not wanting the additional flu vaccine since it really doesn't protect from all of the viruses out there. Another nurse who got the flu vaccine could be carrying a bunch of other viruses that the vaccine isn't effective for. My hope is that I will find a school in CA that accepts me, and that I will somehow be able to do clinicals and land a job without the flu vaccine.
I truly appreciate you all being realistic with me- because of this very realistic conversation, I have my doubts now if I can actually do this. But that's not a bad thing- maybe it'll drive me to work harder and not give up, or maybe it will redirect me to another option for my future. Again, thank you all for your insight and thoughts.
kesia123a
4 Posts
I have CVID and am in nursing school, you can waiver the vaccines for personal reasons, it is very hard and I am having to go slower than my fellow students. I am up to date on all my vaccines that I can take. I can't take MMR due to my body then spreading the very infections I am vaccinated with. I also work in health care and my health in terms of that has markedly improved. Currently I am having other issues but that is a different post. Personally I wish I had done something else as there is no understanding about illness or issues in school you have to be there every single day. Even if you are learning about the very subject you have that does not translate to any empathy or understanding as a student. I have gone to school after 12 rounds of diarrhea to learn about electrolyte imbalances and nobody cares. If you don't show up you are a bad student. You can't stay home or call in sick ever. I have gone to school with an active case of Flu and 102 degree fever when the doctor told me to go home and stay in bed and avoid people. You have to be there my instructor was pregnant she told me it was good I was there. I would have been penalized for not being there. You show up unless you are dead and that is it.