Should I Even Attempt To Become an RN?

[cdietrich404]

I have tremors in my hands, its a genatic thing. My doctor gave me meds for it but i stopped taking them immedeatly since it was making me VERY dizzy.

My hands shake all the time but sometimes you cannot even notice others times people question why they are doing that.

I hope to work as a RN in L & D or in pediatrics.

Do you think i will have a problem?

Thanks,

Cheryl

mommy to 3

[peaceful]

I have tremors in my hands, its a genatic thing. My doctor gave me meds for it but i stopped taking them immedeatly since it was making me VERY dizzy.

My hands shake all the time but sometimes you cannot even notice others times people question why they are doing that.

I hope to work as a RN in L & D or in pediatrics.

Do you think i will have a problem?

Thanks,

Cheryl

mommy to 3

If your tremors get in the way of drawing up medicine into a syringe might make obtaining a nursing degree difficult. Can you handle small objects, twisting and pulling? The clinical portion of nursing requires handling equipment that is small or requires precise movements. I would get a physician's opinion. Also might be newer meds for tremors that you haven't tried yet. I hope you get a chance to follow your dream!

[apaisRN, RN, CRNA]

I work with a neuro resident who has Tourette's. He jerks and yelps all the time, midconversation or not. Once he put an arterial line in my patient, spazzed, and pulled it out. He promptly placed another in the same artery, which would have been challenging because arteries tend to spasm after a-line attempts. I was very impressed, both at his skill and his determination. Obviously he's not going to be performing invasive procedures when he finishes residency, but he's doing what he has to do right now.

Point being, a tremor shouldn't stop you from being a nurse. Depending on how severe it is, you might have to choose avoid certain areas of practice (I wouldn't advise being in the IV team) but don't give up.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Is it worse when you get nervous or are trying to do fine things? You will be starting IVs, inserting foley catheters, inserting NG's. During the learning process you will be under the watchful eye of instructors and it can be nervewracking.

I know sometimes people with tremors get worse when they are stressed and trying to perform precise activities.

Something to think about.

Good luck in whatever you do.

[Gorngi]

I have the same problem and school was hard cause my tremors were way worse if I was really nervous. My doctor put me on lopressor 25mg am and 25mg pm. Works like a charm and any side effects went away. It's worth a shot. I have a son with the same problem. I totally relate and it's a real bummer to have tremors like that..........especially when you aren't a bit nervous because people assume you are. Anyhow, hang in there and do not let it stop you from following your dreams. You can do it!:yeah:

I have tremors in my hands, its a genatic thing. My doctor gave me meds for it but i stopped taking them immedeatly since it was making me VERY dizzy.

My hands shake all the time but sometimes you cannot even notice others times people question why they are doing that.

I hope to work as a RN in L & D or in pediatrics.

Do you think i will have a problem?

Thanks,

Cheryl

mommy to 3

[Nesher, BSN, RN]

I think you should go for it. As 3rdshiftguy said when you are in school you are well watched, and you don't have to choose an area of nursing where the tremors would cause a difficulty.

If you are being a mom to 3 kids at home - you can get through nursing school...

[Nemhain]

I have tremors in my hands, its a genatic thing. My doctor gave me meds for it but i stopped taking them immedeatly since it was making me VERY dizzy.

My hands shake all the time but sometimes you cannot even notice others times people question why they are doing that.

I hope to work as a RN in L & D or in pediatrics.

Do you think i will have a problem?

Thanks,

Cheryl

mommy to 3

Many tasks in nursing require a very steady hand, but I think you should still go for it. You never know what new drug or treament is just around the corner. Good luck!

[JudithL_in_NH]

I hope to work as a RN in L & D or in pediatrics.

Do you think i will have a problem?

Hi, Cheryl!

I have a tremor that sounds very similar to yours. Some days it's barely noticeable, some days (when I'm really tired, on the hypoglycemic side, or very stressed) it's more noticeable.

I'm in my final semester and am doing fine. The most trouble I have had is in lab check-offs at school (where you demonstrate a skill, like sterile gloving or inserting a Foley into a dummy, in front of an instructor)--when the pressure is on me like that, the tremor is worse, but I have managed to do well with all my check offs. I still shake but I can complete the required skills. A couple of profs have commented on my shaking hands, and I've just looked them in the eye and said "Yes, I have a tremor" and that' s been the end of it. To be honest, *a lot* of students shake during check-offs!

I was once dressing the wounds of a *very* drunk individual in the ED, and he gave me a hard time about my hands shaking. Again, I was just quite matter of fact about it: "I have a tremor."

I can draw up syringes and administer injections just fine. I've done my share of Foleys and NGTs, and applying bactroban with those l-o-n-g swabs. You can always steady your hands by placing your wrists on the med cart or counter or bed or against one another--you probably have a few tricks up your sleeve already for steadying your hands, just cause you've lived with a tremor.

I've done my maternity and pediatrics rotations already and had no problems at all.

Best of luck to you!

[cdietrich404]

Thank you to all of you for responding. It is so nice to know that there are others out there with a tremor and are RNs.

Cheryl

:)

[mamaof3]

Wow, I'm sure glad I found this. I have the same problem. I get so tired of people in school asking me why my hands shake. I am so glad to know that others have the same problem. The only problem I have run into with mine is when we checked out on intradermal shots. It took me a couple of times due to my tremors. Maybe we should start a support group.:chuckle I might talk to my doc about that Lopressor. I currently take Lorazepam .5mg, three times a day. But it doesn't seem to be enough. Thanks for the thread.

[cdietrich404]

Yes it is worse when i am nervous. I was looking at a website about tremors and there is a blood pressure med that helps with the problem so i think i will speak with my pcp about it.

Thanks

Cheryl

mommy to 4 now :)