Ptsd And Nursing

[revelry]

I've trying to get my nursing degree, but my dad's death, running 2 businesses, and my recent craziness ( T saying I have PTSD), I realized that I can't do it all right now...

I dropped Chemistry and I'm going to have to drop Anatomy & Phys, at least until I can focus on it the way I need to, in order to do well. It broke my heart to have to backburner it, but I think for right now.... It's for the best.

this thread just reminded me not to backburner it too far :-) and that eventually I will get there...

 

[Kris1984]

You will get there!

 

[Kaii]

I am also a nurse. I previously worked in Palliative Care and Oncology before I was put off on sick leave due to my PTSD. It's been over a year since I've worked and there are days when I honestly don't know if I ever want to return to nursing.

 

[Girl3]

Kaii - so sorry you haven't wanted to return to nursing, because being employed has been shown to be a positive for those with PTSD. But I also know how the medical professions can be draining emotionally and physically. I wish you great strength and healing in the new year.

 

[NurseandMom]

I am a nurse and just getting in an awesome place in my career. I work in critical care, which may not be for everyone with PTSD. I find when I am very engrossed in a complicated patient's care, I don't really have to worry about the rest of my life. Sometimes that's nice. Sometimes it's easy to Puff, but it's harder to be Shawn. ;)

I haven't always felt this way. Nursing school was very hard, but I was in an abusive marriage. My instructors didn't seem to like me. In fact, my OB instructor's recommended I go to employee/student health assistance. It took time for me to build my confidence with crashing patients. I remember times in my early career receiving rough words from a physician and bawling. I was at a job about 2 years ago and I was going through a very bad time with my mental health, I missed a lot of work and got fired.

My mental health is in a much better place now, though. Work is easier for me, and my successes have built my self esteem. I am now certified in critical care and going to school to be an acute care nurse practitioner.

Best of luck to you if it's what you want to do! I couldn't imagine doing anything else.

<Inserted Paragraph Breaks>

 

[Tessa]

Well done. I am a nurse and mum too. This time last year I was off on 4 months leave for PTSD relapse due to bullying.It was very hard to get back to work. I had my office packed up and Masters degree smashed. As soon as I returned to work we were flooded and evacuated and more bullying followed. Thankfully I am back at work and trying to take each day as it comes as I love remote area nursing.

 

[Kris1984]

Thanks for the replies, sorry it has taken me so long to reply. I am now in my OB nursing rotation and I find I hate this more then psych nursing. I get extremely uncomfortable around large amounts of happy emotions. At work I get to spend a great deal of time on the oncology floor and I have found I can relate better to people who are suffering. Must be due to my background. Either way, only 36 hours of clinicals left in OB and then I can get back to the sad stuff, which I oddly love.

 

[Lucycat]

I too am a Registered Nurse. I completed my training way back in 1986, in London. Have had a few different nursing jobs since, but am very pleased with my post now which I have been in for over 10 years.

At times a very triggering job, but I know what to look out for and take time out when I need to. My colleagues have no idea of my PTSD and I like to keep it that way.

 

[AngelKeeperJ]

My mental health is in a much better place now, though. Work is easier for me, and my successes have built my self esteem. I am now certified in critical care and going to school to be an acute care nurse practitioner.

I applaud you for making it back! It takes great courage, and you have it for sure. I was a medical assistant for over 25 years, and it takes more than anyone thinks to be a good nurse. I never had the guts to work in critical care. The closest I got was as a phlebomist on the night shift at the hospital, so had to go to ER to draw blood. Not for me! I prefer blood in people and tubes. Nowhere else, LOL!

You CAN make it all the way 'back', but you will be BETTER for having been through the things you went through. What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger!!!

You GO girl! And be PROUD of yourself!!

 

[HëllaBubz]

It might be worth your while to look at district nursing, I don't know if they have it where you are, but here in Australia we have nurses who service areas in the country as well as metro, helping with medication, wounds, more technical stuff etc.

Nursing was my life, I worked, studied, slept and lived around nursing, after my assault....I'm not sure I could ever handle going back to that, despite how good I used to be.

One needs to have their wits about them when dealing with the more technical side of nursing, and for me, the PTSD writes that off completely.

If you can handle it, go for it, but be wary of where you work and settle into, or you may find all your work for nothing.

Have you thought of working in physical rehab, trauma ward or childrens hospital?
You may find it a little less of a trigger if dealing with scum.

Just a few thoughts......I'm still a fair while away from dealing with work, so good luck to you :)

 

[Girl3]

Not all aspects of medicine appeals to everyone regardless of there history of trauma or not. But being able to do a competent job with the oncology patients or other "sad" types of patient care requires a very special person. Often I think those of us with PTSD are far more intelligently compassionate than those who have not suffered a trauma.

Good luck to you and many wishes for your successful career.

 

[HëllaBubz]

I think pain can either turn you into a snarling animal, or in the long run it can create someone who has somewhat come to peace with what they will have to carry for the rest of their life (PTSD), which creates someone who understands and empathizes more appropriately with the patients.

If you are able to get into, or return to nursing, and you are at this stage in life, then go for it girl, I'm behind you all the way since I can't do it myself! ;)