Should I continue with nursing?

[armyj1986]

Hi everyone,

I start the nursing program in January 2017, but now I'm debating on whether or not I'm being practical. I was an airborne combat medic in the military and I developed a few injuries that are making me question whether or not I have to give up nursing because it's kind of not practical. Here it goes I have chronic migraines which I get them pretty frequently, I have both bulging and deteriorating discs in my back, I have a bad right shoulder, and bad right hand which I've had 3 surgeries on and now I don't have much strength in it. I need some advice because I don't want to waste all that money on a degree if it's only going to be a short time I can do it or it's not practical.

Thank you in advance.

[Lisa.fnp]

If your goal is to stop your education with a BSN-RN degree. I would say yes not practical. But if continuing with your education for two more years to a graduate level and becoming a provider such as a Nurse Practitioner. Go for it.

[futurecnm]

Are your medical conditions well controlled? Can you work 8-12 hours at a time?

[TEXASWAG, MSN, RN]

I agree with Lisa.fnp about not stopping at a BSN. If you continue on for an MSN with a focus in either education, informatics or nurse practioner then it will mean less lifting very heavy patients, less bending over, less worn out knees, less worn out shoulders, less working long hours during the day, less back pain.....basically less wear and tear on your body. This is just my opinion but nursing at the bedside may be too much of a physical hardship for you. I've worked in the ICU, PACU, and the ER. If you still have an interest in nursing at the bedside, then maybe the PACU would be the right fit for you. I've known quite a few ICU nurses who love working in the PACU...not that it's not work but when patients come from the OR they already have an IV, foley, etc. Less stuff that you have to do as a nurse. The patient recovers and moves on either being discharged home or to a room. I wish you all the best.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree with the previous posters. If you plan is to be a bedside staff nurse ... that doesn't sound realistic. However, if you are planning a career based on further education and a specialization that is not so physically demanding, then that is more possible.

There used to be a website called "Exceptional Nurse" (or something like that) -- that was targeted to nurses with disabilities. You should probably check that out.

But remember: It is one thing for an experienced, expert nurse who becomes disabled to remain successful in his/her career -- and another thing to someone "starting at the bottom" with a disability. If you decided to "go for it," be prepared to move quickly up the ladder to get yourself away from the physically demanding jobs that are often the types of jobs easiest for new grads to get.