Want to begin nursing school after Total Hip Replacement age 20 please help....

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Hi, I am 20 yrs old and having a total hip replacement in 3 weeks. I have been holding off on nursing school b/c of the pain and weakness and its hard to sit/stand. I have gone to junior college for 3 years and I am going to apply for my nursing program in the Fall. I am just scared that I will not be as able as other nurses/students. I would really appreciate any advice or experience with this. Its definatley my goal to get my RN and i am hoping after my surgery I will not be held back anymore. Thank you! Amanda

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

So sorry you're having to go through this - but it shouldn't cause you to forfeit your dream. As a student, one of the staff preceptors I recall most fondly was a community health nurse with an artificial leg. It was so NOT a problem for her. I only realized it was artificial when she jabbed a used needle into it ... to 'hold' it until she could get to the sharps container... in order to help me with the squirming toddler I was about to drop - LOL. Her leg had been amputated as a teen but it did not hold her back at all.

Hang in there and be absolutely commited to your physical rehab after surgery. Be sure to share your goal with your physician and physical therapist - they will be able to provide you with specific advice and guidance about any residual limitations and how to deal with them. Give yourself time to heal and you'll probably be off and running (so to speak) again in no time. Best of luck to you - keep us posted on your progress.

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Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.

I would ask your surgeon about any restrictions that you might have post-operatively. I would not think that you'd have any problems or limitations if you started a program in the fall, especially since you'd have several months to recuperate. Your age is a huge advantage, too. You should recover more quickly than someone older.

Hope this helps!

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

You have 5 months till school; plenty of time to recover.

Pick a highly rated orthopod and facility, and you should be in great shape by fall.

Tip: In the next 2 weeks, do moderate upper body strengthening, & practice doing transfers keeping weight off the operative side.

It'll make it easier in the immediate post-op period

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