Knee Problems and School

Students Pre-Nursing

Published

So I have had ongoing knee problems for the past two years due to misaligned patellas and have had 4 surgeries over these past two years. I thought I was doing really well since my last surgery in October, but I have a great deal of scar tissue that my doctor says I need to do more exercises to strengthen my leg.

Well to get to the point I had to drop two classes because of the medical issues I am having and I am feeling down. I was able to keep my Anatomy class and my Psychology class that I need for Nursing School, but I still feel down. I have tendency to feel like I am letting people down. I know I need to focus on getting better before I start nursing school it has just been so hard because I am tired of the problems. I missed so much during my junior and senior years of high school due to these issues and now I am still dealing with these problems.

AliRae

421 Posts

Specializes in PICU, surgical post-op.
So I have had ongoing knee problems for the past two years due to misaligned patellas

I have tendency to feel like I am letting people down.

I know I need to focus on getting better before I start nursing school

I think you might be a born nurse. You've had 4 surgeries, want desperately to start nursing school, and feel like you're letting people down because you can't be superwoman. I would take that and run with it. Well, crutch with it. Slowly amble on the treadmill with it ... You seem to have the drive needed to be a nurse. You also seem to have the heart for people that it takes ... your own health is the factor here, yet you're thinking about what others are thinking. (Granted, it's not great to let other people's expectations play a factor in your life and recovery, but you know what I mean, right?)

Sit back, go to physical therapy, get strong, and wait until you're better to get into clinicals. But do it. Go to nursing school. Just take care of yourself. 12 hour shifts are brutal, and you'll most likely deal with these knee problems the rest of your life, but if nursing is what you want to do, don't let that stop you. I've only had 2 surgeries for my dang misalligned patella (sounds like both of yours are wacky :o), but 2 was enough. I've been dealing with it since '99. My knee will hurt sometimes after a shift, but I love nursing so much and wouldn't change my profession for anything. Also, my knee loves Crocs. Maybe yours will too?

pjgarrett1388

98 Posts

I think you might be a born nurse. You've had 4 surgeries, want desperately to start nursing school, and feel like you're letting people down because you can't be superwoman. I would take that and run with it. Well, crutch with it. Slowly amble on the treadmill with it ... You seem to have the drive needed to be a nurse. You also seem to have the heart for people that it takes ... your own health is the factor here, yet you're thinking about what others are thinking. (Granted, it's not great to let other people's expectations play a factor in your life and recovery, but you know what I mean, right?)

Sit back, go to physical therapy, get strong, and wait until you're better to get into clinicals. But do it. Go to nursing school. Just take care of yourself. 12 hour shifts are brutal, and you'll most likely deal with these knee problems the rest of your life, but if nursing is what you want to do, don't let that stop you. I've only had 2 surgeries for my dang misalligned patella (sounds like both of yours are wacky :o), but 2 was enough. I've been dealing with it since '99. My knee will hurt sometimes after a shift, but I love nursing so much and wouldn't change my profession for anything. Also, my knee loves Crocs. Maybe yours will too?

Thank you so much for the words of encouragement! It has been a very rough day for me physically and emotionally and I needed to vent. Where can I find Crocs? I keep here good things about them, but I don't know where I can find them.

AliRae

421 Posts

Specializes in PICU, surgical post-op.

crocs.com for starters! =) but lots of other places are selling them now too. pretty much any uniform supply place, and I think i've seen them at Wal-mart and target. Good luck!

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