Suggestions after recently seen a Dr.

[MarkieMark]

hello, i made a thread about this a while back and i got mixed answers about what i should do. this is a previous broken bone with many complications coming back to haunt me. i had three emgs done and this is what they came back.

severe ulnar sensory neuropathy. severe demyelinating radial neuropathy. four surgeries later...he won't do anymore. he says there is no point and there is very little chance it relives any of my discomfort/pain. hurts to move my arm in any way. i can't even write for any longer than 15 minutes without it flaring up. hardest news i've ever had to hear in my life.

i was always cautious pursuing nursing because of this. i think the message was sent loud and clear yesterday about what i am capable of. would it be smart of me to think about pursing another career path? my other hobby/passion is computers and computer hardware and networking. typing on the computer is not something that hurts me at all. it might be the only job i can do.

[knittygrittyRN, MSN, RN]

I'm certainly no expert in nursing with disabilities or what hospitals will or will not adjust too. For a much better answer ask around and see what local hospitals will do (or get a second opinion from another doctor to see what he can do).

But if you can barely move your arm for writing for 15 minutes I don't think there's really any thing a hospital can do to meet your needs. In clinical you will be lifting patients, taking vitals, etc all of which require using your arms and having sensation in your hands. You could probably look into schools and see if they can accommodate you in anyway or look into some of the different nursing specialties (maybe legal nurse consultant? but even then you'll have to cope with the clinical hours and workload but it sounds like it'd be more of a desk job then a hospital nurse).

Before you give up all ope I'd say get another opinion from a doctor, and talk to other nurses with disabilities there's no harm in asking around and seeing if anyone else has been in the same boat as you.

[Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN]

Like the previous poster stated, you will have to take vitals, use your arms for assessments, and lift patients. Can you do this? You spoke mostly about writing. If this is the only major problem for you, I would say go for it! There is a lot of writing in nursing school; however, since you have a disability, instructors will be required to accommodate. (Most people type things anyway, but I did have some assignments that must be hand written for fear of copy/pasting etc) Also, I cannot remember a time on the job where I wrote things for >15 minutes at a time. Most places have computer charting, and I spend a large amount of my day staring at a computer screen charting. Schools will have disability services, which is really helpful. My friend had partial hearing impairment, and disability services was more than accommodating for her. They bought her an amplified $500 Littmann stethoscope for her to use throughout nursing school. With documentation from her doctor, they were also able to provide documentation to the instructors about accomidationis she would need. I would think about it!