Can i train to be a Nurse if ive got Bronchiectasis?

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Claire Posted: 11-16-2009 8:39 PM

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Hello Everyone,

Im new to this site and just need some advice.

Im 24 and have suffered from bronchiectasis since i was 3years old.  Up until my 16th i was admitted with a lot of infections & had coupias amounts of I.V.A.B's. Since i was 16 i have never felt better, ive not been in for IV's for 7years. I do take reguler meds like inhalers, antibiotics & a nebulizer. I do get infections from time to time but not as often as i used to. When i do i just take 2 weeks of Azithromycin and im basically back to my normal self.

I currently work in a pharamacy and although i enjoy it i want to become a registered Nurse. I just don't know if the university would take me on because of my condition. I don't really get a lot of support from my family and whatever decision i make in life they always say 'What about ya health' or ' Have you asked the doctor if you can do it' I don't feel the need to ask the doctor to make my desicisions for me. I think 'if i don't try' then i wont know. I do most things for a 24yr old like Going out with my friends, getting drunk 'while taking antibiotics' I live on my own and manage quite well considering my health.

Im just wanting to know if anyone else out there suffers from the condition and is actually a nurse, or if anyone else has dreams of becoming a nurse who suffers from the condition?

Any advice, info really would be greatly appreciated

Hope to hear soon

X 

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Chris replied on 11-16-2009 9:22 PM

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Hello Claire,

Welcome to the BLF forums,I'm sure you'll find these forums very helpful with regards to your condition.As your probably aware we with not so go faster lungs have strict guidelines to follow where our health is concerned.

I'm not aware of any members having a lung condition and working in nursing but thats not to say that one of the guests isn't.One thing to remember though is nursing is very demanding on the body especially when they have to do shift work.My wife is a nurse and I can see the pressures it puts on her body continually changing from day shifts to night shift.Thankfully at the minute she has work that is days only but in the beginning you have to stick to shift work.This for a healthy person his a strain and in my opinion would not be advisable for a person with a lung disease.Please don't take my word for it though and do phone the Nursing Midwifery Council for expert advise on this matter

Take care

Chris

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Lisa replied on 11-22-2009 12:19 PM

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HI Claire

Im 25 and have bronchiectasis too,  i think you should enquire into being a nurse as like you say you will never know unless you try, at least if you do try it and do find its not for you or too demanding then at least you can say you tried it otherwise you will always wonder, theres only you who knows your limits, my family sound like yours always saying " are you ok"  " take it easy"  etc its only because they care but sometimes i think the condition can make you sound/look more ill than what your actually feeling..so i would say theres no harm in trying it if you do get accepted onto a course,

If you qualify for a Student Bursary then you will probably be entitled to the Disabled Students allowance (DSA) (which isnt for just disabled people , its for people with a health condition or learning difficuly such as dyslexia, you will need to provide proof of your condition like a DRs letter detailing how it will impact on your studies such as your condition might make you more tired etc) DSA can provide you with funding for a PC and extra help towards your studies, such as extra tuition.

Have you tried visiting the www.nhsstudentgrants.co.uk website this tells you about funding and the DSA should you be accepted onto the course...i used to work in the Bursary section particulary on the DSA section and there was many people with different illnesses (some alot worse than ours) who was accepted onto the courses so its always worth a try if its really what you want to do

Hope this helps

Lisa

x

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Jaconline replied on 12-29-2009 4:19 PM

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Hi, I have been nursing for 20 years and have had bronchiectasis for 12 of those. Go for it! Nursing is a fab job! You may have to decide not to go into certain areas cos of the risk to your health but there is plenty out there that you could cope with very well. I had to stop Practice Nursing as I caught pseudomonas from treating patients with leg ulcers but am now a specialist practitioner for the National Bowel Screening Programme and love it. So give it a go.

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Jaconline replied on 12-30-2009 10:05 PM

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Sorry - that should have said I've been nursing for 30 years! Can't count!

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Victoria replied on 01-13-2010 6:36 PM

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Hi there, I'm looking for some advice.  I'm almost 23 and was diagnosed about 3 years ago.  I've currently been working with a ventilator dependent child full time but I'm looking for something more, already a bit fed up of being told to take it easy all the time. I've been offered a place for learning disability nursing at queens, and went for my medical, they were happy to work with me but did say I could be removed from the course depending on how my health goes. do you think its worth giving it a go?thanks

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Chris replied on 01-13-2010 7:15 PM

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Hi Victoria,

Welcome to the BLF Forums,I'm sure you'll enjoy your time with us and hopefully find these forums a mind field of information .

I'd have to say that seeing as they've offered you a place and if you feel up to it mentally and physically then go for it.Maybe arrange an appointment with someone there to speak to them with regards to your condition and ask that in the event of absence from the course would it be possible for the lecturer to e-mail you that days course work,if they can then great all is peachy 

Please feel free to introduce your self here: 225.aspx that way others can introduce themselves to you and not that they miss you when not having looked at this thread

Take care

Chris

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haych replied on 01-23-2012 12:24 PM

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Hiya!

I am suspected to have bronchiectasis and am wating for my appointment to see a consultant that specializes in bronchiectasis. i currently work as a paeds nurse. since i have been working in the general ward throughout bronchiolitus season i have had m catarrhalis and also pseudomonus i get so tired and run down at work and also find it so hard to breathe on my way home after a shift, on my days off i have chest pain and no matter what course of antibiotics i take i still cough up blood. Do you think that i would have to change my work

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rita replied on 01-23-2012 11:07 PM

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Hello Haych

Your question may well be answered by the consultant or the helpline here if you give them a call.  However I wonder if it is a job you are fit enough to continue with?    Your symptoms sound horrendous and trust you will be seen soon and be properly assessed.  LIke amy others on this forum I too have bronchiecstasis, alongside emphysema,  amd we always being told to keep away from people with infections and here you are working with people who have infections! 

Goodness you are brave and I commend you for continuing to work in such circumstances but you may have to consider something different or not so exhausting.

I hope you get your answer soon and that you will come back to us when you have a diagnosis

Good luck

rita

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Tru replied on 01-24-2012 12:35 PM

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Sorry for your situation.

I would think to talk this through with your Managers and Medical Advisers, your symptoms sound severe and until they can be stabilised I would think about taking some sick leave.

As Rita mentions do chat with the BLF Helpline advisers who will be able to offer your further help and support.

Let us know how you get on.

Take good care of you.

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Tru replied on 01-24-2012 12:37 PM

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Sorry can't edit above post, which is intended for Haych.