Should I quit nursing school because of my medical condition?

caliotter3 · Jul 28, 2014

Good that you are addressing this now. Also, consider taking a medical leave of absence to give yourself time to heal. After a year, things might be drastically different. Med tech? If that is what I think it might be, worse than licensed nurse. Med tech is sometimes used as another name for CNA or PCT, a title for essentially "nursing assistant".

Also keep in the back of your mind that if you can make it through nursing school, you could go into a nursing area where 8 hours of standing is not required. There are all sorts of individual nursing jobs that fall under this category, but you have to get the nursing license to partake of this option.

Medical assisting, front office, comes to mind. Problem with that is employment opportunities are hard to come by. Anything dealing with working in an office where you would sit most of the time, rather than stand, would probably be a viable option.

I would advise you to speak with a guidance counselor at school to help with coming up with other ideas. Best wishes.

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 28, 2014

I would also recommend that you have serious talks with your doctor and with your PT. Find out how serious your condition is -- whether it will be a chronic problem for you regardless of what you do -- or whether there are things you can do to prevent it being a big problem (e.g. taking some time off to heal and then taking preventative measures to keep it from happening again ... surgery ... etc.)

A lot of nurses have mild/moderat problems with their feet and learn to manage their conditions successfully. But sometimes, those conditions are so serious that staying off your feet is the only solution. It sounds to me as if you don't have all the information you need to make the decision about your career. So talk with your doctos and PT to get a good idea as to what your future holds and then make the decision.

Npski · Jul 28, 2014

I already told my doctor and PT about my problem. They just told me that orthotics will help and really good shoes. Stretching and icing... and going to PT 3x a week. They do not know when I am going to heal.

RschIVF40 · Jul 28, 2014

Having dealt with a number of orthopedic / sports injuries / arthritis issues over the years (including plantar fascitis / tendonitis / torn ligaments / heel spurs, etc)....my suggestion would be to perhaps see a specialist (podiatrist / sports-medicine MD / rheumatologist), if you have not already done so and request a cortisone shot. In fact it may take getting a couple cortisone shots.

Plantar Fascitis, tendonitis, metatarsalgia etc are mainly inflammatory / over-use issues. These should resolve once your inflammation resolves and are not life-threatening issues. Standard treatment include: cortisone shots, taping, orthodics, PT, better shoes, or even walking casts. These issues shall pass. And, yes, things become more challenging as we age, but that doesn't necessarily mean just because you have Plantar Fascitis / tentonitis / metatarsalgia at 21, that you necessarily will need to use a cane or walker at 40. I would refrain from running, but would try swimming to keep in shape. The water will allow you to exercise without putting weight on your feet and is better exercise for those with joint / inflammatory / over-use issues than running (which is hard on the joints). Just check with your doctor to make sure he/she approves.

I'm certainly not saying these issues won't be a bit painful for a period of time and everyone reacts differently to pain, but I can confirm that life does go on just fine. Everyone has challenges they have to cope with in life. Hopefully you will not give up your dream of becoming a nurse because of some transient pain...(I realize it may not seem like transient pain at this particular moment). I've always tried to use my experiences / pain / struggles in life as a learning opportunity, which has allowed me to become more compassionate toward patients and what they are going through. Hope this helps. I wish you the best.

Npski · Jul 28, 2014

Awe, thank you so much!!! I am doing my very best to heal this. I have been to an orthopedic, podiatrist and PT. I did one cortisone shot before but I am scared to do it again. I feel like it made my pain worse after that. But thank you for your kind words. I have to do a lot of thinking......

caliotter3 · Jul 28, 2014

When you ask for a medical leave of absence this time, emphasize that it is for a period of time to attempt to resolve the problem. They should realize that the previous time was episodic at the time and you are trying to resolve this "permanently" as far as your academic career is concerned. And by all means, take llg's advice to closely work with your physician regarding this.

FWIW, my daughter had the same global concern in conjunction with her major back surgeries as a teen. Her surgeon assured her that if it was her desire to do certain activities, she would be able to, but he could not guarantee that there would be no discomfort. He told her he just did not think it would be a good idea to jump out of perfectly good airplanes, but most everything else was fair game, as long as she was willing to try.

Npski · Jul 28, 2014

I already took a medical leave of absence last semester. I don't know if I am able to do it again. I will try to ask nursing dept. I feel like I am annoying my nursing department so much. >.

RschIVF40 · Jul 28, 2014

Also, speaking from experience, if you are not able to get a "medical leave of absence" from your school, you may also request assistance from the disability office from your school.

As long as your MD provides a note regarding your "disability", stating explicitly how many minutes / hours you are able to stand / walk, and how many minutes / hours you need to sit..(i.e. student is only allowed to walk / stand 15 mins every hour (meaning you sit / rest for 45 mins)...or something to that effect)...the school is required to accomodate all disabled student's needs (as are are all workplaces)... This may be a compromise that may allow you to be able to stay in school. The school is required to work with students with disabilities and would need to figure something out to assist you regarding your health issue. Hope this helps!

caliotter3 · Jul 28, 2014

Check with the school's policy on more than one leave of absence. That should override any individual attempt by the nursing department to treat you differently. As for that matter, the nursing department should be more interested in your well being and success than in trying to prevent you from becoming a nurse if that is your goal. Good luck!

Npski · Jul 28, 2014

Thank you for sharing your daughter's story.. It gives me hope and strength that I can do this and survive Nursing.. I will do everything to stay on the program. I want to do nursing and I can't give up because of my condition. I will do my best to stay and heal...

Npski · Jul 28, 2014

Oh thanks for the idea! I will def. do that if they do not let me take a medical leave of absence again.. :yes: