gslpro

Thanks everyone for all of the replies, private messages, and expressed concern about my back. I had originally signed up for an accelerated RN program, started, and then got into the car accident. I ended up getting hit in the side of the car, which because of the lap belt being fastened, my upper body actually was able to swing sideways down onto the passenger seat, while my lap belt held my hips firmly into the driver's seat. I also had a large armrest in use, so that caused quite a seperation of all of my lower vertabrae at each disc, and then on the snap back, I struck the driver's side window which broke, but not before tearing my trapezius (speling??...It is late and I can't think) at both upper connecting points, and wailing on my thoracic vertabrae quite a bit. I was a mess basically. Through therapy, xrays, mri's, chiropractory visits and some pretty heavy workout periods, (along with some pretty heavy drinking to numb the pain,) I got everything back into a strong-like-ox, but painful orientation. I didn't like the Dr.'s telling me all these things that I would never be able to do again, so I got better so I could. What is funny, is that when my Dr.'s saw me a year or so later, he said something was wrong with my chart. I had shrunk over an inch since my last check up, and he sent me for X-rays again. His theory is that while in the healing process, some thing adjusted themselves, and the xrays showed that I developed two scoliosis points in my spine. My upper scoliosis goes from front to back in curvature, and my lower one goes left to right in curvature. I just laugh when I think about how screwed up I was, am, and probably will always be, but I am also constantly feeling very very lucky for being able to walk, move and do all the things i can do. It does not seem to affect it either way whether I am in my $1,600 desk chair all day, pacing a boardroom, or working on my boat, yard, or moving my motorcycle engine around my shop. I guess it is going to hurt when it hurts, and lets up when it feels like it. I figure that Nursing is more about the mind, actions and attitude, more than the physical strength to move mass. I know there is lifting and positioning still involved in Nursing, but I am reckoning that even though I may feel pain, I can still perform my job effectively, and will be able to do just about anything without actually causing any more "damage" to my body. I guess pain only hurts if you really pay attention to it. I amamazed at how much pain I am in when I actually describe it to someone or think about it. Most of the time, we just get used to it and ignore it. Geez, I am so friggin' longwinded. Thanks again. -Gary

Hello everyone. I am a 35 year old male in Massachusetts that is about to make a huge career move because of what I can only call my "calling" to Nursing. I worked as a CNA years ago, had a car accident that screwed up my back and hopes at that time of becoming a nurse, and followed a computer career. I yearned for the benefits of caring and helping people that needed it, to feel that one feeling each day from seeing the thanks in just one person's eyes who could not even begin to explain how much I have affected their life, day, or simply in their moment of need. I received my technical degree, top in my class, shining star, every honors award.....went on and got the dream job, promotions, pay, everything. What did I think of almost every day? How I wished that the car accident never happened so I could be lucky enough to be in nursing every day. I am looking to get into a 4 year RN program this coming fall, and then plan on going into a Master's program for Nurse Practioner, Nurse Anesthetist, or possibly Nurse Educator. Not too sure...but.... I read these posts, and I am making a wise choice? I hear the frustrations, threatenings of quittings, utter lack of pay, respect and truly, I don't hear too much about the reward I decribed above. Yikes! Am I naive by assuming that it is just easier to voice the bitter feelings here, much more than the good ones. People! Please!!!! Tell me that there is still some reason that I should join this honorable field. Please read this line carefully, and take my words to heart: I have had so many people in my computer design career comment to me that what I do is amazing, and I must be so happy to be that good at it. I have replied so many times, "No. What was amazing was when I worked side by side with nurses who could save your life in almost any circumstance. This is just cool looking tricks." I think Nursing is the probably the most ultimately evolved presence of mind that a person can be....meaning that you bring the levels of caring, education and ability to a place where you can use them to ACT and actually change someone's life. That is AMAZING to me. Tell me there is still a reason to become a Nurse. Please. -Gary (The long-winded son-of-a-gun from Massachusetts.)