Passionate college student with bad back

Published

I injured my back a couple weeks back. Still hasn't healed but oil helps A LOT.

My concern is that I am passionate about being a Psych & Pediatric Nurse.

Will a a bad back prevent me?

my concern is clinicals and nursing school itself.

my end goal is to be a psych nurse practitioner...

if not, my back up is a major in psychology..

It it would just bum me out a lot.

so long as I squat and stuff, I seem to be fine.

I got my CNA license but do not dare find a job in that for fear of worsening my back..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health, Mental/Behavioral Health.

I would totally agree with you that now is not a good time to work as a CNA. As far as your back preventing you from a career of nursing ... it just depends really.

What is the extent of injury and how severe is the injury?

How soon are you beginning school?

The most important thing is to "baby" your injury NOW, take your time to heal properly. Do all the recommended treatments, rest and exercises. I'd say that most of us jump back onto the wagon earlier then we should and then it takes longer to heal or you never even heal completely because of it.

With all that said I just want to put it out there that I suffer from chronic back issues related to a childhood injury. The pain/discomfort will most certainly always be there. I work hands on direct pt care. At its worst I've been unable to work for weeks at a time or even do simple everyday things around the house. At its best it's just annoying. I learned the hard way that i have to take better care of myself and treat my injury with tender loving care... imagine that!! lol. I do exercises to strengthen my core and back muscles to decrease the severity of the complications. Yoga and back/abdominal supportive wraps help also. I use OTC pain rubs, anti inflammitories like aleve. I also see my doctor regularly and take semi annual MRIs to monitor any possible exacerbation/worsening so that we can be sure that treatment is effective.

Anything is possible. I make it possible because this is what I want to do.

If you want to be a psych NP, then you just have to be prepared to do what it takes. (Nothing illegal or bad for you of course! Lol) There are MANY Healthcare professionals that have disabilities and lead a successful career! ;):yes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you!

I cannot see a doctor at the moment because I am completely broke. :( That, and my insurance is not working at the moment also.

I did start having a bad back around November of last year! Probably due to long time of inactivity.

I have been using oils (even vapor rub) which completely help in reliving the pain.

Its bad enough I can't completely bend at waist, but if I squat then I'm fine or so long as I carry things close to my body I am fine.

this happened about.. 2-3 weeks ago. I know back injuries take a long time to heal.

Psych and Pediatric nursing is just something I'm super duper passionate about but I don't want it to cost my back is the thing.

I imagine once I get my insurance going again, I may need to do PT or see a chiropractor to keep my back in good shape.

I can do those core exercises at home yes? :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thank you!

I cannot see a doctor at the moment because I am completely broke. :( That, and my insurance is not working at the moment also.

I did start having a bad back around November of last year! Probably due to long time of inactivity.

I have been using oils (even vapor rub) which completely help in reliving the pain.

Its bad enough I can't completely bend at waist, but if I squat then I'm fine or so long as I carry things close to my body I am fine.

this happened about.. 2-3 weeks ago. I know back injuries take a long time to heal.

Psych and Pediatric nursing is just something I'm super duper passionate about but I don't want it to cost my back is the thing.

I imagine once I get my insurance going again, I may need to do PT or see a chiropractor to keep my back in good shape.

I can do those core exercises at home yes? :D

Oh oh it is important to note I may be on waiting list of Nursing program for 2-4 years!! So I should have a LOT of time to build my back and get to a good weight as well.

Currently been struggling with a lot of mental health issues as well (Illness Anxiety Disorder being my biggest struggle yet) so as of now all I'm taking is pre-reqs

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health, Mental/Behavioral Health.
Oh oh it is important to note I may be on waiting list of Nursing program for 2-4 years!! So I should have a LOT of time to build my back and get to a good weight as well.

Currently been struggling with a lot of mental health issues as well (Illness Anxiety Disorder being my biggest struggle yet) so as of now all I'm taking is pre-reqs

Sounds good lol. I do the exercises at home with no equipment. They are simple and I just follow along to YouTube videos . Im not suggesting you do them only bcz I do not want to be held responsible if you hurt yourself further. But I do understand the whole not having insurance thing and not being able to see a doctor. That is very frustrating. If you'd like you can private message me and I can give you links to the videos I've found to be very helpful

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion