supercharmed

PS- I am not sure who suggested School Nurse but I have to ask WHERE? The 'school nurses' in the school district that I live in (middle to upper middle class-ish district) have 'health clerks'. My neighbor is a health clerk at one of the elementary schools and I about fell over when she told me that she had interviewed, let alone been offered the position! This is the same woman who knocked on my door after splitting her head open in her backyard and could not look at the bloody towel that I applied to her head before taking her to the ER. Also the same woman who brought her school aged son over who had cut his finger and she couldn't look at it or she would pass out. She cannot even 'talk' about needles. Now I love my neighbor but is this the person who should be in charge of our children if there was an accident during school hours? I guess I didn't know that RN's were even in the school systems anymore. It's good to know that they are in some schools....just my little vent...

I am so happy that you are all being so honest with me...these are the hard answers that I need. One thing that I want to be clear on is the 'rest': I am aware that I do not know how difficult nursing school is but when I mean 'rest' I just mean some things would have to slide at home that typically would be physical. I think that I realize how much studying and how much of a complete sacrifice this would/could be for my family. I would need help from either family, friends or hire someone so I was able to complete my responsibilities. I do think it would be more realistic to apply when the second child (God willing there will be a second child) is at least 2 years old and can go to preschool. It must sound crazy to many of you but I also do not want to regret not chasing my dream. I really do appreciate your honesty. I will do my best when it is time to make a practical and informed decision.... To answer those of you had suggested other fields: I have given this so much thought and I always come back to RN. As I said, I do not want to regret not giving it my best shot. Thanks again. I can take the brutal honesty....I prefer it.

thanks so much for your honest replies...I guess I should have stated that I absolutely realize and have been told by my own doctors that IF I can make it through the physicality of nursing school then I should be able to find a position that would fit for me....as I had posted, currently I am not at a place where I would even try it (assuming I could get in) however once I am back on the Topamax I am confident that I would be physically capable with the understanding I would have to rest my body outside of school. I agree it could be a risk to my own health and a big sacrifice for my family as well. I have talked at length with my husband and because I am so passionate about pursuing this he is on board. But there are many other factors and I certainly would never put another persons health at risk... Thanks again.

I promise to 'try' and be as concise as possible... I am 38 yrs old married to a firefighter (so single mom 75% of the time ) with a 3 1/2 year old little boy and currently going through fertility treatments in hopes to having another baby. God willing we will be able to have another healthy baby and soon after that I hope to apply and enter a local RN program. I also have a chronic injury from an accident in 1996 (spinal fusion L4-5/S-1). I have neuropathy in my lower back and left leg. Typically I take Topamax which works extremely well and will have some type of pain medication for occasional break through relief if needed. At the moment due to fertility treatments I cannot take the Topamax so assessing my pain level for any type of baseline would not be accurate. I know that I would be limited in what types of nursing that I could do but I just know that nursing is what I should be doing. In whatever capacity that would fit, I would be willing...I sadly have enormous amounts of hospital experience. As a patient and as the adult child of a patient where I had medical power of attorney. I have had incredible experiences with nurses, some less than great and others who have been excellent. Looking back, I should have gone to nursing school following my second back surgery in 1997 (hardware removal) but decided on art school. At the time of my injury I was in school for athletic training and I was so disappointed that I had to give that up I guess I dismissed anything in the medical field. I have always been drawn to the medical field and that passion has only become stronger as my years have gone by... My main question for all of you is what type of obstacles could you see me having in actually landing a position after nursing school. I have faced all the judgement any one person should face with my back injury. The looks and questions if I am forced to go to the emergency room for my back pain. I understand that the hospitals must be careful with the opiates and patients with chronic injuries. I have met drug seekers in the waiting rooms of E.R.'s as well as my own surgeons, neurologists and pain management doctors. Nothing infuriates me more because of these people, patients with legitimate injuries are often scrutinized and judged. Because of these situations I also believe that it would make me a better nurse. I would really hope to work in some type of office/clinic that treats patients with chronic pain or injuries. In order to maintain my own pain management I have nerve blocks, selective nerve root blocks, s/i blocks etc. This is the type of enviornment that I could see myself being the most helpful. Please excuse the length of this post however I really wanted to give the details in order for you to give me your best answer. Thanks to those of you who give so much to strangers everyday and I hope to one day be one of you. :heartbeat:heartbeat