Special-Needs for Returning SN Dropout?

[Nutmeg Kit]

I dropped out of my first semester of nursing school in 2002. Ever since I did that, I regretted it almost immediately, and constantly daydreamed of going back.

My only problem is the one that caused me to drop out in the first place: I have had severe OCD all my life, and was seriously terrified of certain aspects of nursing.

Since last time, though, I've gotten onto a highly effective Rx that I intend to continue permanently, and have worked my tail off in an intensive CBT/ritual prevention clinic. So, I'm a lot stronger than the basket case of neurosis I was, those few years ago.

But there are still a few things that frighten me, and I wonder if it's necessarily a total contraindication to going into nursing (which I still want v. badly); or could I overcome it with enough work and support? Specifically, it's having demented and/or violent pts. deliberately expose me to their blood or feces. After that, it's fear of being forced to walk into a TB isolation room.

I know this isn't a psychiatric group, and I may just be barking up the wrong tree. But, I thought I'd ask for some honest opinions.

Would asking the college for Americans with Disabilities Act accomodations be much use? Or, if that's going to be ultimately pointless due to the med-surg experience I'll have to face anyway, then is there some kind of supportive resource that could help get me through the med-surg requirement to work in a less intense specialty area?

Am I kidding myself; or do I have a realistic shot at this?

[PANurseRN1]

Are you afraid of any exposure to blood/feces/body fluids, or is it just in r/t pts. with dementia? That could make a big difference on the answer.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

Would you be asking the school to waive the clinical requirements in certain areas? There are certainly nursing jobs out there which don't involve exposure to TB patients or violent patients, but I'm not sure how you would get through school with the assurance that you'd never be in those situations. Does your therapist know about these specific concerns?

Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

[leslie :-D]

you should probably strive to work in a specialty that wouldn't expose you to feces, blood or tb.

in med/surg, you will likely encounter all of the above, at some point.

the exposure to feces and/or blood wouldn't necessarily be the product of a demented or violent pt., but you will be exposed to any by-product of any given orifice.

as for your clinicals in school, i honestly don't know if you'd be exempt from participating. i wouldn't think so however.

congratulations in coming so far with your ocd.

i wish you all good things. :balloons:

leslie

[mad9]

Hi,

I agree with the points Earl58 and EricEnfermero made within their respective posts, however, if Nursing is what you really want to do as a career please take the time to research what support servives are available at the nursing school you are interested in attending. If there aren't any available at that particular school/university check with other schools/universities and see what they have to offer.

The following information is based upon what our university provides for students with a disability. They have an entire department specifically for students with visible and invisible disabilities, including mental illnesses. They even have information for funding specific for students with these issues and guidelines for arranging alternate accommodations for tests, exams, assignments, and even for laboratory settings to name a few of the services they provide. These guidelines are not only for the students but for the professors/instructors as well.

At the school I will be attending there are counseling services available for the students.

If you are committed to becoming a nurse, at the very least you have nothing to lose and possibly everything to gain by doing this research. I am not trying to give you false hope just information that would help with what would be an important decision to make for anyone living with a disability. Also your therapist will be an invaluable resource and having a support system in place is also very helpful as I am sure you already know.

Good luck!

[Selke]

Have you considered other health professions, such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, recreational therapy? Or radiation or ultrasound technology? There are other venues in which you can be involved in patient care but have a more controlled work environment than nursing and would be less likely to trigger your OCD.