So many reasons to go to nursing school but with a few holding me back...advice?

[supercharmed]

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

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Well, I will tell you the truth.

You will have to do pushing, pulling, lifting, reaching, squatting in nursing school. There will be no way to avoid it. A note from an MD informing the school of what you cannot do in the way of physicality will likely exclude you from gaining entrance. You must not have a pre-existing condition that puts you or your patients in potential jeopardy. To gain entrance you will need a physical exam and a myriad of blood tests and drug tests and vaccinations and to sign forms stating that you are able-bodied. You will not be able to take an instructor aside and say that you cannot assist in pulling that 250 pound woman up in bed (boosting) because you have an old back injury. Nobody will let you off the hook, which means - you have to do it or drop out.

Many nurses do get injured on the job, they take a leave of some sort to have surgery or whatever but must be evaluated as fit to re-engage in full nursing when they return. Unfortunately there is no place to put ya for a while till you feel better. Nursing is not kind to nurses. You either show up for school/work ready to go or you don't get to show up.

It's a tough decision for you, as you might really risk your health it seems if you choose this route.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Agree with the previous poster. Although nursing school/clinicals was not the point of your post, it will likely be your biggest hurdle. You must be physically able to perform satisfactorily in clinicals. There is no avoiding that fact.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

I should add that if injured on the job, some nurses are able to find other work in nursing that doesn't involve such physicality.

But, the thing is, you must have been able to run the gauntlet at some point, and there is no way to avoid it while in school.

[supercharmed]

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.

[DC Collins, ASN]

There aren't too many jobs that are easy on the back...some...but not many. And many of those require "prior nursing experience", including School Nurse for the jobs I have seen posted, for example. This means not only the school experience mentioned above (with which I wholeheartedly agree - there are no breaks given in the program), but quite likely (not guaranteed) you will have to work for a year or more in a hospital setting.

The bulk of the jobs available after graduation will be in a facility; hospital, LTC, etc., where you have to physically manipulate the patients.

I am not trying to dissuade you...if you really want it (and it sounds like you do) go for it. I (we) just want you to know what to expect.

Best of luck!

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

I haven't read all the other posts on here. I read all of your original posting however.

Why don't you wait till you have your 2nd baby and see what happens? I am a practical person, and the realities of the physicality of floor nursing for you to get experience to get these other jobs, will not be for you. You will not be hired for an 'easier' nursing job unless you have floor experience in most countries, ie: you might do 12-24 months after you get licensed and work on a med/surg ward for example, to gain good, sound clinical skills.

I think you will honestly struggle. I have known people with back injuries who have struggled to stay in nursing and had to quit, or get office jobs. Also as you get older (I don't know how old you are), nursing also gets more demanding on your body after 40 years of age.

You could go for it and try doing a few clinicals in your first few semesters to see how you cope with pain etc, since you say you can't assess that at the moment. Also how will you cope with any pain, shiftwork, study, etc with another child?

You have lots to think about. I would just urge you to look into the practicalities of what you can and can't do then go from there.

Good luck!

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

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.

With respect you sound like a lovely person. But how do you honestly (and I'm not trying to be sarcastic saying this), think you will 'rest' outside of nursing school? The shiftwork in clinicals and the study load is HUGE. You already have one child and will probably have another baby to care for. You will need to factor in all these considerations also b4 your exams, ie: you will need to set time aside also for study and revision.

I have known people who struggled to finish clinicals on pain killers for differing conditions, and it nearly killed them. Some failed and dropped out. I can warn you now that pain killers will not help you very much when you are running around for 10 hours on a nightshift, with maybe 7 heavy patients and no help, and you do not get a break because there simply isn't time to take one. Also pain killers will make you tired and may not always work all the time. This is the reality I was talking about.

It is a great thing to say 'I have a day off tomorrow I'll just rest' but you never do when ur studying and have a family.

Also what about when you become a nurse, and have to do say 7 shifts in a row (common in Aust at least), and you cannot rest inbetween? It is going to be very hard on your body.

Just food for thought, I'll shut up now!

[elkpark]

I agree with the other posters.

OP, have you considered any other healthcare occupations besides nursing? There are lots of options, many of which are less physically demanding than nursing.

[R. S.]

I was on the drug topamax a couple last year in nursing school, and I can honestly tell you that it caused me to fail a class. I was like an idiot lol you may be able to tolerate the effects at home but was horrible...

[Riseupandnurse]

I am sorry to have to agree with the previous posters. I don't think you are being realistic. It's tough enough being the mother of two small children and trying to go to nursing school, let alone with a bad back. You could very easily damage yourself in nursing school (if they let you in) and be of diminished help to your children. Who would benefit from that? I went to nursing school with two young children and I am so ashamed to say I had to neglect them numerous times (not physically, but emotionally) because of the demands of school. And I have done floor nursing for several years with major osteo and rheumatoid arthritis issues. No slack was given, because there was no one to take up the slack. I just hurt all the time. This is just not for you, IMHO, since you are asking for that. What about speech pathology? Now THERE'S an excellent career, and much less physically demanding.

[supercharmed]

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.