I am a 50 something, who wanted to be a nurse when I was young, but my mother who was a RN at the time talked me out of it. She was unhappy with the profession. I have been working in office jobs my whole life and very dissatisfied. I've always been interested in the medical field and worked as a medical transcriptionist and coder for several years.

I'm not worried about academics. I graduated summa cum laude at the bachelor's level. I have head and hand tremors, and I'm worried about how they will effect my ability to complete nursing school, what things will be actually required of me, and if instructors will accommodate me. I can't see me ever taking a nursing position where I would be required to do IVs, injections, insert Foley catheters, etc. Will I be required to complete such things to be able to graduate from Nursing school?

When my 6 month old daughter required eye drops, I had to straddle her on the bed with her head between my knees to hold her still, hold the eye dropper in one hand, and steady that hand with my other hand, and managed to get the drops in her eyes. Not really practical to do this with anybody else.

When I went to medical secretarial school years ago, we had to do a medical assisting class or we couldn't graduate with our AA degree. One of the things we had to do was use a lancet to prick our partner's finger, smear the blood on a slide, and then do a blood cell count. I offered to take a full grade cut from my A average in the class, but the instructor refused. I carried lancets and slides to my dorm and practiced on myself. We had to do this as a test in class in front of the other students. The problem with familial tremors is that they are aggravated by adrenalin, which was pumping a lot from the pressure I was feeling. I tried to get the instructor to allow me to prick my finger instead of my partner's. She refused. I then apologized to my partner, wiped her finger with the alcohol swab, opened the lancet, and when I tried to prick her finger, I missed and hit the table instead! Other students actually gasped. The second time around I actually managed to get her finger and get the slide done. It was torture. I had another class where we had to do injections, one in the arm, and one was gluteal. Again, I asked the instructor for a grade drop instead of trying to perform injections. Again, I was told no. At least in this class, this instructor steadied my hand while I gave the injection to my partner! When I've told doctors this story, they said they didn't even give injections to real people in med school!

I'm not on any medication right now, but the beta blockers I initially tried for my tremors didn't work that great and made me feel sluggish and tired. The tremors make me feel self conscious and have affected my employability because I'm not willing to take on a job where I have to do public speaking. If I'm really nervous, they affect my legs too, and it is difficult to stand in front a large group of people. I'm good one-on-one or in small groups, however.

Several years ago when I talked with some nurses about my interest in nursing, they discouraged me from even trying. However, recently the psychiatry nursing director at the hospital I work for has told me that if I made it through nursing school, I could be accommodated in employment. I wouldn't have to do IVs or injections. I am really interested in mental health nursing because I have a child with autism.

I'm really worried how nursing school will be for me especially in light of some of the posts I've read.

I have been a RN for 20 years. I also have essential tremors which started about 10 years ago. I have finally quit work at 61, but I will share my experience with you. My tremors are hands (severe), voice, head at times, legs (fall alot), arms and internal.

My fields were psych and long term care which was my favorite. In long term care, there are many nursing positions you can do.

In my whole career I have never had to start an IV. I just explained I couldn't and it was never an issue. I can do injections, but often stick myself first and have to get a new syringe and start over. :) In long term care the patients are interested in my tremors, but have never complained. I often explain my tremors and that I have the same condition Katherine Hepburn had and they all loved her, so they are compassionate. My biggest problem is inability to write or print legibility. Now with computers, that is not an issue. I proofread for typo's each time and can easily correct them. I do best in management positions such as staff development, unit manager and director of nursing.

My best suggestion is to be honest and upfront when you apply for a job. At least that has always worked for me. I just finally came to a point where I am tired of working. I am ready for retirement.

Good luck to you and pursue that dream.

I am so glad I found this post. I am 45 and have had Essential Tremor since I was 8. I have been thinking, who would want me as a nurse the way my hands shake. I have been considering Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery as a possible quality of life treatment where the tremor is concerned.

I am not 100% sure where the answer lies but, am blessed to see that I am not the only one to feel the way I do. Thank-you for reminding me I have a lot to offer tremor or not.

Sarah

Life is good