Doubting being an RN b/c physical problems

Hi Nurses

A little about me. I'm 21 years old and just started my ADN nursing program last month.

I was born with knee dysplasia in both knees. I was constantly in the ER growing up. Got surgery in 2008 and 2009 to correct it. I have nasty chondromalacia in both knees and pretty much have trouble doing lots of stuff. Kneeling, crouching, powerwalking etc. I've been going to PT on and off since I was 14.

I worked as an HHA for a toddler recuperating from leukemia. Mind you, not a big baby, just average weight. Just a few days of taking care of the child, my left arm dislocated and had to start PT and leave my job.

About a year ago I was accepted into the same program. I deferred my acceptance because I was insecure about my ability to deal with 12 hr shifts, positioning pts, all the bending and crouching etc. Well I decided I should suck it up and give it a shot!


Sooo now I am in skills lab and am more discouraged than ever. We just did occupied beds and I feel so stupid--I can hardly move the mannequins. I need help to do everything. I have no physical strength whatsoever. I hurt my arms and shoulders for anything.

I love nursing, but I don't know if I can handle it. I would love to be a nurse educator but I know I have to get through clinicals before ANYTHING



Any nurses out there who have arthritis or something and have any tips or encouragement for me? Is there no way through this? Should I just look into another career? :-/ Pls help.


love, me
Heyyy....I have been a nurse for 3 years. I have a couple bulging discs, pinched nerves, and degenerative disc disease---after a car accident back in 2002....I do bedside nursing; did medical/tele and now in the ICU. I def feel a lot more achy, and in pain after I work...but I still do it. Hope it works out for you!

Quote from RoobieRNBSNHeyyy....I have been a nurse for 3 years. I have a couple bulging discs, pinched nerves, and degenerative disc disease---after a car accident back in 2002....I do bedside nursing; did medical/tele and now in the ICU. I def feel a lot more achy, and in pain after I work...but I still do it. Hope it works out for you!

I hear you. Frankly, nursing will eat you up and spit you out, physically.

I too, am going through something similar. After landing a hospital position while in nursing school, I'm. Finding the physical aspect of the job to be demanding. I suffered a dislocated ankle in a car accident in 2008 and I leave work daily in pain. However, there are so many options with nursing. I dnt know where your faith lies, but I believe God has a position designed just for me!

Quote from SuesquatchRNI hear you. Frankly, nursing will eat you up and spit you out, physically.

Quote from tyhmar6I too, am going through something similar. After landing a hospital position while in nursing school, I'm. Finding the physical aspect of the job to be demanding. I suffered a dislocated ankle in a car accident in 2008 and I leave work daily in pain. However, there are so many options with nursing. I dnt know where your faith lies, but I believe God has a position designed just for me!

There are so many different things you can do in nursing. You don't have to be a hospital floor nurse! You could work in a Dr's office, or a school or at a college. You could even have a desk job as a nurse! Don't listen to the one's saying nursing will eat you up and spit you out. That's not true, it's negativitiy. It's what you make it. If you really love it and can get through the clinicals, then you can work as a nurse.

Thank you Sherry for your motivation. I see where you are coming from. I made an appointment with my nursing adviser. I will talk with her about all that I have mentioned as well as what my surgeon says. I am a very emotional person so needless to say this has been very draining for me. I don't want to be a quitter. But I also don't want to be unrealistic. I wonder if my school can somehow take it easy on me during these kinds of demanding skills.

Obviously, you've been through a lot of pain and procedures with your situation. There are a lot of options in nursing- the only thing I'd ask is do you think you could deal with at least a couple of years (maybe less, if you get lucky ) of floor experience (somewhere- maybe some area that requires minimal 'muscle' and leg motion) in order to meet experience requirements for a desk job? If you can stick it out without causing damage that will make it so miserable your life is altered more, you may find something that really suits you. Good luck

Quote from on eagles wingsThank you Sherry for your motivation. I see where you are coming from. I made an appointment with my nursing adviser. I will talk with her about all that I have mentioned as well as what my surgeon says. I am a very emotional person so needless to say this has been very draining for me. I don't want to be a quitter. But I also don't want to be unrealistic. I wonder if my school can somehow take it easy on me during these kinds of demanding skills.

Quote from sherri12Don't listen to the one's saying nursing will eat you up and spit you out. That's not true, it's negativitiy. It's what you make it. If you really love it and can get through the clinicals, then you can work as a nurse.

I think you should talk to your school's adviser, your doctor, and your family about what sounds like the possibility that nursing isn't physically a match for you. Nursing school is expensive, so it's best you figure out ASAP if you aren't able to do this job, before you waste years in school and tens of thousands of dollars (possibly incurring student loan debt, which will ruin your credit and possibly your future), and make your health situation worse. Sorry to hear you're struggling, but it sounds like a physical situation that you can't change, due to your condition. There are many careers that aren't physically demanding, where you can sit at a desk. Best of luck to you in whatever career your choose.