Please help! Pre-Nursing w. Scoliosis and Harrington Rod placement

[Flamom]

Hello,

I have always wanted to be a nurse. I am and always have been very determined to work in healthcare. I unfortunately was diagnosed with severe scoliosis at a very young age. I had the Harrington Rod surgery with placement of 2 rods because my vital organs were close to collapsing. I have not really thought about it being a problem too much because it is "normal" to me. I am 22 years old, with only one semester left and planning on applying to an RN program. I just recently saw that my school has a physical and health examination and began to wonder if this could be trouble for me. I am perfectly fine lifting and bending..I do it everyday with my daughter, dog, groceries,etc. That is not the problem. I am just worried that I might be turned down admittance because of my back, that some might see it as a risk or make assumptions. I have had surgery and plan to have the rods taken out as soon as I can. I was just wondering if anyone else has had a scoliosis correction surgery and been through the RN program and hiring process. It has always been my dream to work in the medical field and help people. I would be upset if that is not possible with my conditions, but I would like to know what to expect now. I have contacted my school and they will not give me a direct answer. If anyone has ANY info regarding this, please inform me! Thank you!

[caliotter3]

My daughter had this problem come up when she applied to LVN school. It was resolved in her favor and she graduated. She has not been in a position to encounter this problem in the nursing employment arena.

[twinkletoes53]

I worked with a nurse who had a Harrington rod placement for scoliosis when she was a teenager. She now has 4 children. If you didn't' know it, you could not tell that she has a rod in place.

[noreenl]

I would think that if you had a "pre employment " style physical to determine your ability to work and were cleared for employment without restriction then it should not be an issue. there is a web site for nurses who work while injured @ www.wingusa.org . There is also a really good reference website for nurses working with disabilities www.exceptionalnurse.com . the national organization is www.nond.org National Organization for Nurses with Disabilities. All of thes sites have helped me out at various times during my career as a disabled nurse and a nursing advocate! PM me anytime girl!!!!

[noreenl]

I forgot this site in my original OP but since we met on it, I figured you you knew this one!!!! LOL!!!

[naturalome]

I also have harrington rods, almost 3/4 of spine is fused. Im a recent graduate RN, and it has not caused any issues with the hiring process. My spinal fusion hasnt caused any issues in my life but I know that lifting/pushing/pulling 50lbs could hurt my hardware--and that could result in lifechanging consequences. That being said, even when I was a cna, I learned that if I told a potential employeer that I couldn't lift 50lbs, they would ask why, I would state my answer and they would tell me that it was a requirement to be employed- hence no employment. So, I accepted the fact, that it was in my best interest to elimate any extra details of my personal health to employers, and I accepted cna work that didnt require back breaking work. Now, this is also applies to my RN degree. I had no issues with the health screening for nursing school--Dr.s know someone with a fusion should be careful with their back & so should you. Almost, all RN jobs will state that you are able to do the required physical work..but how often does an RN have to do that?--its a technicalalty& if a situation were to come up in the work place, I have said, "yeah I can help, but Im not very strong"--im 5'1 and &110 lbs, so most people assume I cant really carry that kind of weight, weather I had a spinal fusion or not. Please, be very careful with your back--I know a RN who messed up her back(with rods) and it has changed her life forever--very sad story.

PM- if youd like.