Reallyconfused0160

Hi everyone Well I am waitlisted to get into a nursing program in 2012. That's fine and everything. I still have pre-reqs to take and stuff. Anyways, I was in a car accident about a year ago. I've been taking Oxycodone Imm Release tabs 4-5 times a day a long with Vicodin 7.5/325. So for about six months I was taking both Oxy and Vikes. My pain has gone down so much because of weight loss. I developed an addiction/dependcy to Oxy also Klonipin. I told my doctor that I needed help getting off of that, and I talked to my shrink today and was referred to a new doctor that handles addiction and Suboxone treatment. I am not a maniac that would go around stealing other people's meds or anything like that. My question is, because I will be eventually treated for drug addiction (or dependency whatever), am I blacklisted from becoming a nurse???? I don't want to be on these meds anymore and I took the first step by admitting that I need help. Believe me, if I could throw these things down the toilet and be done with them, I would, but I'd most likely go into shock and withdrawal. So, do I continue and take the pre-reqs, get help for my addiction, or do I classify myself as a drug addict that shouldn't go even pursue a degree/career in nursing? I've always wanted to be a nurse. Will they Nursing Board ban me because I am seeking help? Thanks

I hope you all don't mind that I'm posting seeing that I'm not a nurse...my mom is if that counts, she's been one for 25 years, my aunt is also and is going on 30 years as well as another aunt, going on 30 yrs. Anyways, what a creep of a doctor, sorry, to tell you that xanax is not an addictive drug. Gosh, I would sue him if I were you. Xanax is the most addictive drug out there, besides narcotic pain killers. I'm not an expert, but I took many courses in chemical addiction. What a creep of a doc. Also, if you're not physically addicted to Klonipin stay AWAY from that crap. I know by experience because I'm addicted to that and Oxycodone. Klonipin has to be the worse if you take it on a schedule. You will get addicted no matter what, is just my opinion. I know that in order to get off Xanax, that some docs prescribe Klonipin to wean off. I'd just request that you want off of the Xanax. That's why they sell Xanax on the streets because it is addicting! I'm sorry but don't doctors do enough research about this stuff?!

Hi, I will pray for you that you get by. Do you know what is causing the anger? I only ask that because I seldomly do feel angry alot but mostly sad. I'm 33 and believe I've been depressed since a was a child. I know I need counseling, more than talk therapy because that doesn't seem to work. I had something bad happen to me when I was a kid from ages 8-13 and I never really dealt with it properly. Yes I did talk to a counselor about it, but it still doesn't take away the painful feelings and shameful feelings. I think that sometimes sadness can turn into anger. I still haven't found the right solution for myself, but I know it's not about being drugged up on all these meds. I currently take Topomax, Tegratol, Zolfat, Klonipin and Ocycodone, and then the Clonadine. No meds really work but I guess i wouldn't know because I am medicated. Can you take a LOA and maybe find a good counselor to work through it? I know it is easier said than done, well good luck.

Do you know if there is a need for nurses to work overnight shifts? I am deff not a morning person, a true night owl! When I wake up, I am in extreme pain, not in my back, but my head. Where I used to work, one of my lovely co-workers decided she was going to be funny and threw ice at my head. For about 3 yrs I went undx'd and they finally dx'd me with Trigeminal Neuralgia because of the ice. The pain feels like someone is constantly punching you in the face, but seems to be better as the day goes on, just hate the waking up part. I wouldn't want any special treatment for this once I get into a job, but I did inquire about disability services at my school. This Tegratol is supposed to stop the pain. I just need my neurologist to listen to me and hear me out because it's not helping. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate that he's a neuro, but when a med doesn't work, it's time for a change!! The narcotic pain pills that I'm on do nothing for it and I'm getting off of those. Just forgot what life was like without this terrible pain and now the WC is so slow. It's funny how you can be one of the best employees, till you get injured by a co-worker! Blah. I'm better off not being with that company. I want a company that sets high standards.

Hi Moogie! Thanks for the reply. I've wondered about the accererated BSN program. I often doubt myself and wonder if I'm good enough to get in. I read forums where one school only accepted I believe 32 students out of 140. The cost is crazy too, but you are right, it might be the best way to get in. I'm thinking that maybe I should do the required pre-reqs and apply. If I do all the pre-reqs early,and apply, it can't hurt right? I'll have them done anyways (A/P2, Medical Micro, and a few others). The cost is more expensive but once I get into a program I'll be eligable for FA. The school I went to put me into Gen. Studies Health Care so I'd be eligable for FA. I'm having such a hard time paying these bills, that without FA I'd be doomed to say the least. Are you waiting to get into an Accelerated program? Hope you get in!

Hi Followingmydream! Thanks for the reply and sorry for such a late responce. And thanks a lot for clarifying that CNA's were different than LPNs. Someone, not on here, told me they were the same, then I started researching it and found them not to be! I feel as if I am stable to do nursing and I'm sure that my doctors would allow me to. I went to the doctors the other day regarding my shots/immunizations so he knew I wanted to go into healthcare. My doctor's office acted really fast regarding the immunizations. I love where I go, although sometimes I do get white coat syndrome but I'm over that for the most part. I think it all started when I was a kid, when I was "tricked" into going for a ride and blowing up a balloon (sleeping gas)! I had a hernia at the age of 3 or 4 and just remember them asking if I wanted a shot or blow up a balloon. Well of course, at 3 or 4, blowing up a balloon SOUNDS a lot nicer till they show you what type of balloon and the nasty smell. Gosh I was a terror when they tried to put me to sleep! I was scared of doctors ever since then, one time, while at my doctor's office, at 5 years old, the nurse gave me a shot, and I pulled the needle right out of my arm, said something mean to her, and ran. I know that was awful but then again I was 5! How is your back doing? I never thought about nursing and back injuries till I came to this forum. Back pain can be the worse, especially if its chronic. How do I check the BON for Mass? I went to the Nursing website but they don't give a sample of the one from MA, just all the general laws, and they are written so silly (or rather, info that I don't need!) I am on a benzo, and pain killer, plus antidepressent and anticonvuslant. I'm working with my doctor/staff to get off the narcotic pain pills, my next step is to get off the benzos. I just want to feel what it's like NOT to be drugged up all day. I take an anticonfuslant for nerve pain...hmmm not sure how well that works! Thanks hope you have a nice day

WOW $50.00 per credit. Gosh it seems like you hit the lottery. I want to move there and go to that school. When I went to the state college, (Worcester State College), some of their fees were just highway robbery. (not including books, that's crazy too) $120.00 Parking Fee per year Undergraduate Courses = $130 per credit Administrative Fee Undergraduate = $85.00 per credit Technology Fee = $10.00 per credit Capital Improvement Fee $125/semester Student Teaching = $75.00 per course Lab Fee = $60.00 per course Art Model Fee = $25.00 per course (I'm not sure what additional fees they added on for the nursing program, if any) But what irritated me about the way that WSC billed was that they had "state supported classes VS non state supported classes". So it was more expensive to take a non state supported class. (Online courses and most night courses were non state supported and they tacked on so many fees) What I didn't get was, if you registered for, I believe 5 or more DAY supported classes, the 5th class...6th class...etc were free. You could take the same exact courses, just say you wanted to take 6 courses, but you couldn't go during the day, and took 3 of them during the day, 2 online, and one at night, you'd be paying crazy fees, at least $2500.- more because they weren't all state supported, and you wouldn't get the 5th and 6th class for free. At the community college the costs are Tuiton and Fees for Massachusetts residents are $132 per credit of which $24 is for tuition and $108 is for the educational service fee. For all other students the cost is $338 per credit of which $230 is for tuition and $108 is for fees. Plus the lab fees of 45, parking 20, student ID etc. So it's a bit cheaper than the state college. They don't do the crazy state/non state supported system, so I am taking online courses because they won't cost so much. I believe, but I'm not sure, that for high demand courses, they add $700.00 per semester once you enter the actual nursing program. I can't complain because the cost for the private school is about $30 grand (I believe per year). The school right down the road has no wait list for nursing, but their NLEX or NPLEX scores are about 30 percent lower than the community college (that's strange). It's tempting to be able to go to a school with no wait list,and it's very competetive, but I'm sure that I'd get in because they have seats available, but the $!

Have you ever tried to take a bottle just say a coke glass bottle and throw it? It releases so much tension, maybe that will help. You should see how much stress it releases, just by throwing it and hearing it break. I'm not some nut who collects glass bottles and goes around breaking them for fun, but where I used to work, we had to recycle the bottles and throw them in the recycling bin. The harder you throw and hear the CRACK it seriously releases so much negative energy or anger feelings you might have. I saw that they even have these clubs, sort of like health clubs that offer this! I saw it on CNN or some channel. I should have invented it!

Hi, I am new here and just a bit confused. First off, I am not a nurse, not in nursing school yet, but wait-listed till 2012 to start clincals. I don't understand why she is going through all of this because of her medications? This kind of scares me. Should I even bother pursue a degree in nursing? Will I be denied by the Massachusetts Board of Nursing during the process when they look through my medical records? Here is my situation. Without saying that I'm a nut, because I'm not, I suffer from a few things. The first being Bi-Polar #2. I was diagnosed with it in 2005, I've never had a manic episode. I think I might have been misdiagnosed because it is more depression that I suffer from. I also suffer from chronic pain - due to a herniated disk, which is getting better without surgery and a condition called Post Traumatic Trigminal Neuralgia. I have a goal to get off two meds. One is klonipin and the other is Oxy IR (Percocet, no Tylenol). First of all, while I'm taking Percocet for the back pain, I developed a dependency on it or a slight addiction. I've been on it for a year and recently told my doctor that I needed help getting off of them because the pain has gone down. He's been very helpful with my goals and has not made me feel like a bad person and told me that it happens to some people and has set me up to get help. I also take Tegratol for the TN and the Tegratol is used as a mood stabalizer for Bipolar. Klonipin for anxiety, & Zoloft for depression (I think I need to get off the Zoloft, it's not helping for depression and maybe switch to something else.) Does this mean that I don't have a chance in nursing with the dx of bipolar/anxiety. And that I'm having a problem getting off the narcotics, but I will soon be getting help, most likely Suboxone and therapy. I guess it depends on each person. Being on Oxycodone Immediate Release for a year - the stuff still makes me feel high as a kite, and I've taken them for over a year at 120 per month. I don't think I could ever properly work with a patient while on Oxycodone because my mind isn 't there when I first take the med, every 5 or so hours. As soon as I take it, my mind goes into some high zone, I get tired yet feel like I'm floating on cloud 9. To call myself an addict, I don't know. I guess, because I can't just stop these meds cold turkey and think I'll have a prob getting off them without Suboxone. My goal is to be Percocet free within a month even if that means Suboxone. I don't like this feeling that the Perks give you, well I mean, it gives you a feeling of euphoria but also increases anxiety, but I want to find a non substance to do that and not be dependant on this medication anymore. I guess some people are more prone to addiction than others and I don't consider myself a bad person because of it. Will that Bon thing prevent me from getting my RN license (I mean that is at least 5 years down the road), if I'm getting professional help to get off of the Oxy IR? Yes, Percocet works wonders to help pain. I wouldn't have been able to move without it. If no one's experienced severe pain, then they don't know what it's like. Should I worry about having used Percocet for a year legally (RX) when I finally get to the stage of getting licensed? Should I worry about my DX of Bipolar, Depression and Anxiety? I believe I can overcome these things. Life happens and I can only look forward but obviously don't want to waste my time in nursing school just to be denied by the board. If you're in chronic pain and use narcotics and you're a nurse- why is that such a big dea, if it doesn't hinder your ability to work correctly? If it does make you high and spacy then obviously that would be a problem and maybe some other method of pain relief. Nurses are human too!!! For me though, I wouldn't be able to function properly while on Percocet/Oxycodone IR. It just does something to me- makes me feel drunk. In some people, once they get over the initial stage of the euphoria- it is fine. They don't feel high, don't feel euphoric, can use it for pain for extended periods without becoming addicted- it's just like any other med, you get used to the side effects. Unfortunatly, I developed a need for the drug after taking it over a year and my body is physically dependant on it. Just wondering- will the same happen to me because of my DX's and I've used a narcotic for a year, developed a dependency and now working with my doctors to get off the stuff? Am I doomed from ever being a nurse? Sorry for the repetevness and grammar / spelling, no pun intented but I just took a percocet - see what this stuff does to me! I am glad I'm getting off them.

From my experience with all this, my best advice would be to consult a lawyer. I am in the middle of a WC litigation with my former employer. How and why would a doctor not treat you because it happened at work, that's crazy. The numbness down your leg could be serious. It could be what I have, a herniated disk. It has gotten very much better, but not without the help of my doctors, nurses, PT and so forth. Do you have health insurance? If you do, then go to a doctor and tell them that you need treatment, request an MRI, do whatever you have to to make someone listen. I would think that if a doctor knew of your injury- which is treatable, and they refused you, and something worse came of it, they could be sued. My doctors treated me knowing that it was a WC case. They didn't just wash their hands and throw me away. I can't believe it. What state do you live in? I live in a city where I'm fortunate to have a large hospital and a Primary Care Doctor that listens to my concerns, goes above and beyond if I have a problem to treat me or to run test to out-rule anything else. If no one is willing to treat you and you're having a hard time find a good lawyer that deals with personal / workplace injuries. This is the USA and we are supposed to have top notch health care.

Could you provide a link for nurses with disabilites? I am waiting to get into a program, and I guess I have a disability. You can't see my disability because it's chronic pain. I've learned to live with it and won't let it stop me from doing what I want. I suffer from a herniated disk, but the pain has gone down tremendously due to losing wieght and exercising- no surgery. I have a second condition that also causes chronic pain and will be life-long but I do take Tegratol for it, as it has helped a little bit. It's Post Traumatic Trigeminial Neuralgia. I suffered from it for almost 3 years before a dx. It was so scary having this type of pain and not knowing what it was. Basically, it feels like someone is constantly punching you in the face, eye and feels like constant tooth pain. It comes and goes but moreoften has been there. Although it is a disability, I will accept it as it is and move forward. Have you applied for disability services at your school?

Well good luck. I was also diagnosed with Bipolar #2, but I never had a manic episode, but the doctors are the pros. I also have anxiety. I found that medication is not always the answer. If it was- I'd be as happy as can be, so I think I am going to go to therapy. I refused Serequal, I won't touch it because of its addictive qualities and I've seen what it does to other people. Not to say that it's a bad drug, but this time around, I'm a bit smarter then just saying yes to any script. I already take Klonipin and Percocet, so I have my own battles to face, didn't want a 3rd drug!

I agree about staying employable. I was fired because I filed a WC claim at a non health care employer. They got upset with me because I appealed the WC claim, after harassing me. When I was terminated in an email that said I no longer have a position due to the pain I endure (not back pain, another type of physical pain caused by someone at the workplace), but they also put "If we can be of any help if you need a reference." I should have quit, but it would have been harder to obtain UI. I was able to keep my unemployment, but had to fight for it. Unemployment benefits can be crucial to keep your head above water!

Thanks for the replies. Well, yes, I am working on my addiction and finally getting help. It takes a lot to talk to your doctor about it. The drug that helped me the most seemed to have turn on me. It's oxycodone. After I get off this stuff, I want nothing to do with it. My doctor has put me on a taper down schedule, and I'm going to be referred to someone who can prescribe Suboxone. I was always the type of person who said addiction couldn't happen to me, but believe me, it can happen to anyone no matter what your status is. Just admitting the truth to your doctor that you have a problem is one of the biggest steps I've taken. I do get pain here and there, but sometimes I think its the percocet that's causing my body to be in pain by craving it. I was in severe pain, so it did do its job and greatful that I was prescribed it, but it's one of those things that makes you feel happy when you're down, but I don't want it anymore after seeing what it can do. I'd rather just stick to Motrin or a non narcotic, as I'm on Tegratol for a nerve problem. Anyways....I am not too sure about the A and P course. I got a C+ in #1 but barely, but most of it was memorization, that I think will come back to me. $6000. is surely cheap for an entire RN program, are you being re-imbursed? Maybe you can do it that way? I have most of my electives out of the way, but the clinicals at the community college can cost anywhere from $700. to a thousand. Each credit is $140 or so at my college. I heard the TEAS covers just about everything and really in depth with Science. I will review my Science and I'm retaking a math course, and I'll take the TEAS study course. I dont think all schools have it, as the school I just started at implented it in 2007. People who applied to nursing before then, were not required to take it. I'm thinking of taking a Chemistry class, because I really do need some refressers on that. 2012 seems so long away to even begin a nursing program. I don't know what I want to do, teach in schools or nursing. I've worked with kids before, and always had this inclin that I wanted to be a teacher, but a nurse at the same time! Don't know why my mind is wandering at 33 years old...and I still don't know what I want to do when I "grow up"!

I think a lot of people in here are right. I have to wait until 2012 to start the program and I'm 33 Oh Gosh I'll be really old by then but like people said you'll be an age no matter what. 2012 will come and go...just like 2009 came so fast...sometimes I wonder what happened to the year 2000. At least you're only 24, not 33 like me. You can get a lot of financial aid for your undergrad. I didnt use Finacial Aid for my Associates, but I did use about 33 thousand for my two bachelors, and the limit is about 60 thousand. If it's your dream, don't let the waiting periods stop you. I wouldn't go to a highly priced school, (maybe if i had the money), but the wierd thing is...I looked at a private school, the cost was crazy, but I compared the NCLEX passing scores, and wierdly enough...the Community College 2 year program had higher passing rates than some private schools. You'd still be eligiable for grants as well because you haven't gotten your Bachelors yet. Unlike me, I'm only allowed loans. I'm going to apply for scholarships from private plans for nursing students.