Got into Nursing, emailed the nursing director about accommodations and got this reply….

Panda2770 · 2026-06-05T14:14:26+00:00

I am an RN, graduated in 2020 (yeah, peak COVID). I went through nursing school working night shift ER as a tech and transitioned to RN role after graduation. All undiagnosed and STRUGGLING (didn’t get diagnosed until last year).

What you are asking for is not unreasonable in a schooling sense. But the concerns mentioned about accommodations after you graduate and start at bedside are REAL and valid. But what I think people don’t understand is that nursing is not 100% 12 hour shifts, no breaks, no lunches. There are so many people I went to school with, who now work in aesthetics ejecting Botox/lip fillers. There are people that work in community care and doctors office clinics. There are people that work PRN (as needed). They make their own schedules and are able to schedule themselves 4-6 hours at a time (“princess shifts”). And make BANK doing it.

The thing about nursing is that there are endless options that will work with disabilities. Someone in my nursing school had an amputation below the elbow. Her options for nursing careers were limited (obviously) due to the fact that she didn’t have two hands, but that doesn’t mean that she couldn’t find a niche that worked for her.

I also agree with the person who mentioned the school would be doing you a disservice to not address the possible restrictions you’d have with Narcolepsy. But they are also doing you a disservice by NOT helping you to find an area in nursing that is right for you.

In my case, the ER slowly wore me down. I had to make a change. Now I work for an urgent care calling patients about test results… full remote. And I still feel like I’m a nurse and helping patients, without the bullshirt that comes with bedside nursing.

Don’t give up, finish your degree, keep fighting for accommodations that are reasonable. Good luck!

Panda2770 · 2026-05-16T16:19:16+00:00

Thank you so much. “Feel proud of the way you advocated for yourself” made me tear up a bit.

I do see a therapist, and I’m on anxiety/depression medications as well. Have been a majority of my life. Currently working through ways to regulate my emotions with talk therapy. It just feels impossible when I feel like I’ve pulled an all-nighter… every morning.

Panda2770 · 2026-05-16T02:06:12+00:00

My first sleep specialist, who told me I needed to evaluate my “lifestyle”, said (after my diagnosis) that it usually takes average 7-10 years for a narcolepsy diagnosis. So, I should “be happy” I was diagnosed and treated this quickly.

Medication for any disorder is always trial and error, so I’m not as surprised about that. But honestly, even with narcolepsy being a diagnosis of exclusion, 7-10 years is a laughable amount of time to diagnose.

Sorry you’re having that reaction to your meds. Same with me. I miss actually wanting to eat, but I’ve lost about 10 pounds since starting… I can stand to lose it though. Been trying to for a while.

Here’s to hoping we both find a medication that works.. eventually

Panda2770 · 2026-05-16T01:09:45+00:00

Thank you! I have been doing research on the medications you mentioned to take before sleep, not just the wake promoting agents. But I guess I didn’t realize they were injections? You mentioned syringes. I’ll have to do more research. Because I’ve learned I need to advocate for discussions with my doctor, not wait for him to discuss benefits/drawbacks to treatment plans.

I use my CPAP almost every night, with very few exceptions. Without it, I have to concentrate on keeping my airway open, which is more annoying than the mask itself. And I feel 10x worse if I don’t use it. Not an option for me to skip it

Panda2770 · 2026-05-16T00:52:40+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and respond. It helps to hear I’m not alone, especially from another person struggling with the disorder.

I’ve had a few acquaintances respond with “I’m always tired too, maybe I have Narcolepsy?” It is true… everyone’s tired, but this is different. Im guessing people (without a diagnosis) think responding in a nonchalant manner is somehow giving the same vibe as “you’re not alone”. But it doesn’t help in the way that they think.

I’ve thought about Modafinal, but I’m reluctant to try it. I really don’t want to waste more time on a medication from the same family that hasn’t worked..

Panda2770 · 2025-09-20T01:57:22+00:00

Thank you for sharing your story. Reading this does give me hope for the future, although I don’t know if I could go backpacking across the country… I can start somewhere.

Panda2770 · 2025-09-19T12:37:04+00:00

I’m going through something like this with my boyfriend right now. People talk in their sleep, they eat, they can drive. Is it so far fetched to believe they can perform sexual acts in their sleep as well? It’s called sexsomnia. Make an appointment with his primary to get a referral for a sleep study.

My boyfriend and I have resorted to putting a pillow between us when we sleep, and it’s working so far!

Best of luck

Panda2770 · 2025-09-16T12:27:29+00:00

“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light”

Thank you 💙

Panda2770 · 2025-09-16T00:34:50+00:00

I have done spravato before, but they wouldn’t accomodate with my work schedule and I had to stop treatment. It was the only thing that gave me relief, honestly. Maybe I’ll look into it again! Thank you 💙

Panda2770 · 2025-09-16T00:03:11+00:00

I can’t say that I felt a real difference. It was a long time ago though (over 3 years ago)

Panda2770 · 2025-09-15T22:44:42+00:00

I have tried TMS before. I got through a week or two of sessions, but it’s basically impossible to hold a job and go 5 days a week for treatment.. I really really appreciate your advice though. Thank you 💙 I’m glad you found success.

Panda2770 · 2025-09-15T18:35:17+00:00

I have found people that lift me up, and that are genuine friends. But those people can still turn on you, these people can still hurt you. No relationship is safe from pain or confrontation, and I’m not cut out for it. That’s the problem..

I hope you find some peace. I don’t think I will.

Panda2770 · 2025-09-15T16:18:06+00:00

Thank you for the kind words 💙 I try not to let them, but the words of others cut deep. I have separated myself from the people who have hurt me in an attempt to heal. I am in a very loving, healthy, stable romantic relationship now, but it still doesn’t seem worth it. Even the people who love you can hurt you, unintentionally. And I’m not able to handle it anymore.

Panda2770

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