Hello

I hope someone can give me advice. I have wanted to be a nurse since the age of five. There has never been any other plan, that is where my heart is. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia a little over two years ago. I have four general requirement courses left to take before I can apply to the Nursing program here in Indianapolis.

My problem is that I am getting mixed signals. Some of the advisors tell me that I need to find another major, as I will not make it through clinicals with my disability. I went to Vocational Rehab last week, and the counselor told me that she thought I could make it through the program, but I just received a letter from her today saying that her supervisor rejected my plan for nursing, as she doubts that I could make it through to completion.

I spoke with three nurses last week, and they all told me that they thought I could make it through the program. They said that the physical nature of clinicals depended on what area I choose to specialize in. I hope to work in some capacity with the babies.

I am so glad that I happened upon this website, and I wondered if there is anyone out there who is currently a Nurse or perhaps someone who is currently in clinicals that can give me some advice. Vocational Rehab said that I could appeal their decision, but I need to provide documentation to bolster my claim that a nursing degree is realistic for those with Fibromyalgia. I thank any and all who read this for taking the time to do so, and for any help that you can provide.

Paula :)

What does your personal physician say?
Do you have a strong sense of what clinicals entail and do you think you could endure? My understanding is the clinical portion is 1-3 days a week for 8-10 hours.
I don't know how old you are but we all get tired through the course of the day, especially if one is not in good physical condition.
Would your condition respond favorably to an exercise program at a gym? Have you tried a simulated clinical day with all the rigors in a controlled environment such as a gym?
A person being told he/she can't do something without even being given a chance to try really strikes a nerve with me. Being denied an opportunity is discrimination in it's finest form.
I am not a doctor or a nurse. My wife is a RN after 6 years as a LPN.
This may be a turning point in your life just as being striken with Guillain-Barre Syndrome was in mine. There were many very dark, depressing moments after release from phys rehab. Some of the thoughts I don't care to share. One day I decided that I was the only one who could turn my life around. The local YMCA became a permanent fixture in my life. My obnoxious attitude didn't alllow me to succumb to GBS.
Please try diet exercise and hope. People with conditions like ours have to work really hard just to be normal.....just to maintain. Do I look like a world-class body builder? No, and neither does my wife. But we know we are better equiped to handle whatever life hands us than if we didn't go to the gym frequently.
There will probably be addition posts from me as thoughts on your issue pass my way.
PLEASE don't give up!!

I would also appeal the voc rehab decision in a timely mannner and by certified mail (return receipt requested) so they (voc rehab) can't say they didn't get it. I would include written statements from people supportive of your cause such as your doctor, phys therapist etc.
Could you "shadow" one of your nurse friends for a 8-12 hours shift to see how you could handle it? If it works well, you could include your friends statement of the experience.
I WOULD NOT mess around making an appeal, there may be a time limit.
Good luck and please post.

I talked to my wife. She remembers her LPN clinicals as being around 3 days a week at 8 hours a day.
Her RN clinicals were the same. In RN school it depends, I think, on what semester you are in. Nursing Process 1 and 2, I believe, only have one or two clinical days. Nursing Process 3 and 4 may have as many as 4 clinical days.
My wife entered RN school as a LPN so she skipped Process 1 and 2 but had to attend a "nursing transitions" class during the summer semester that had clinicals everyday due to the compressed nature of the summer semester.
I wish you well and the best of luck.
I, too, wish there was more activity on this message board.

I truly appreciate you taking the time to give me some advice. I thank your wife as well, for the information on how clinicals run was most helpful. I have received excellent advice from you as well as Donna Maheady and one of the mentors, Wendy. I plan to appeal the decision, and see how it goes. I will keep you posted. Thanks again to you and your wife. :)

You sound exactly like me. I have always wanted to be a nurse, as well (and work with babies.)
I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia for eight years.
I would like to go to R.N. school, even though I just graduated from Business school, it's just not where my heart is.
I hope things work out for you. I am working with Voc. Rehab. as well.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Sherry