Should cancer survivors become nurses?

[psustudent5]

If someone had cancer and recovered and is physically well again, should they become a nurse or are they going to be exposed to too many things? Physical activity isn't as much of a concern as being exposed to carcinogens though.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Recovery from cancer shouldn't stop anyone from doing anything. If someone halts their plans to become a nurse because they're a cancer survivor, then this person might be allowing the cancer to control certain aspects of life.

Cancer may or may not recur, whether or not the cancer survivor enters the nursing field. Carcinogens are so prevalent in society, so the risk of recurrence is always there. You still need to keep on striving to achieve your goals in life.

By the way, one of the attending physicians at a facility where I once worked is a cancer survivor, and it hasn't stopped her one bit. In fact, her experience has made her more aggressive for her patients.

[Mell Bell]

This is an interesting question. Are there any particular carcinogens you are referring to? Personally, I don't think that being a cancer survivor should stop anyone from becoming a nurse, but I do think that it would be a good idea to work on floors with lower exposure to carcinogens. For example, I wouldn't think it would be a good idea for a cancer survivor to work around a lot of chemotherapy. Definitely something I will look into, as a couple of my fellow nursing students are cancer survivors.

[Michaelxy]

Recovery from cancer shouldn't stop anyone from doing anything. If someone halts their plans to become a nurse because they're a cancer survivor, then this person might be allowing the cancer to control certain aspects of life.

Cancer may or may not recur, whether or not the cancer survivor enters the nursing field. Carcinogens are so prevalent in society, so the risk of recurrence is always there. You still need to keep on striving to achieve your goals in life.

By the way, one of the attending physicians at a facility where I once worked is a cancer survivor, and it hasn't stopped her one bit. In fact, her experience has made her more aggressive for her patients.

Agreed, and to illustrate your point is a Ironman triathlete, 4 time cancer survivor and heart recipient Kyle Garlett.

http://outside-blog.away.com/blog/2009/10/ironman-kona-cancer-survivor-kyle-garlett-.html

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Well, many people get cancer AS nurses, just as part of the general population. My mom had an excellent nurse who was going through tx that worked at her oncologist's office. This nurse was great at giving us tips on how to deal with the side effects, etc.

[Guest 360983]

Why are you so worried about cancer? Was it because both of your grandmothers died of cancer, or have you had cancer yourself? If you've had cancer yourself, perhaps you should talk to your oncologist.

[leslie :-D]

i believe cancer survivors and everyone else, should be able to exercise their choice of what they choose to do with their lives.

it is not up to anyone else in deciding the appropriateness of personal life choices.

leslie

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I have several friends who are cancer survivors and work in nursing. One is in infection control. Can't live in a bubble.

[tewdles, RN]

I am a cancer survivor. I am still a nurse. My mother was a cancer survivor. She was a nurse. She died from COPD. The disease does not define us...our character does.