Are there any aspies here who work as doctors, nurses or any other jobs in the medical profession?

I have always had a fascination for anything medical and have a desire to look after sick people and help them get better.  I have been thinking more and more lately that this sort of work might be my calling.  I have read up on some of the jobs I'm interested in and am aware of the poor pay, unsocial hours etc and have no problem with that, but my issues are to do with very low self confidence, being introverted and touching people.  I am a bit afraid to touch people but I think I could overcome this.  

I have no qualifications so will start off as a nursing assistant but I am also interested in training as a phlebotomist.

Oh, I forgot to mention if there are any folks out there working in this profession, then I would be grateful for any advice and to hear your experiences

ethereal, my husband does not work in that field, but we have been discussing jobs lately and his is a very difficult one for an aspie.  His would have some similarities to working in a medical office, and that is why I brought it up.

In his job he has a difficult time with the lack of ability to plan.  He works for attorneys, and is always at their whim with what he is doing.  He can sit and plan the next day, and come to work, and leave at the end of the day and realize that he has done none of the things on his list.  He has to have a LOT of contact with people, many times people that are stressed or upset, mostly by phone, but still, that is very hard on him too.  Basically, the best job he ever had was a data entry job where he entered numbers into a PC all day.  He was able to wear headphones, and challenge himself to do more of the work daily, but was never at the whim of anyone else.  

Being in the medical profession, I would think, would be similar, as you are working with doctors and are subordinate to them, and the people coming to the hospital/medical office are often stressed and at their worst.

Just my thoughts...

phlebotomist might be ok if you can get good at getting the veins and taking blood without causing the patient too much discomfort.  My sister did medical technician and they practiced on oranges first and then other students.  They got placements in hospitals and the worst was one of her friends in a children's hospital because the kids scream if they are getting blood taken.  

I always thought that anyone in the health care field would have to have a good amount of natural empathy or empathic ability.  

I suppose it would be possible to have a job where you just take blood all day working in a medical centre or blood donation clinic.

Thanks for responding Korrigan and M, much appreciated

I've grown up with people who are constantly stressed so I think I can handle that in a working environment ( I hope ) and at least in a busy job there will be little in the way of social chit chat

I'm a very empathic person, only problem being I may have too much of the stuff.

I'm a nurse. First of all I went to classes to learn nurse aiding - I then volunteered for a few hours each week to learn practical skills in my own time. I am a lot slower at learning practical tasks, especially with other people around. I seem to struggle with planning and organising myself. I process the spoken word my slowly ( maybe related to anxiety).

I then did prehealth classes to see if I could cope with the study. This followed onto nursing school. Because of good academic achievement and the ability to express my thoughts in writing -they let me through.

For now I have been put off work due to difficulties - but it seems my work place want to support me and help to get back to work. They say I am a good nurse but ......

So - I have qualities that make me a good nurse and I have a passion for nursing --- but there are difficulties that create a need to work in a very supportive and caring workplace.

There was a time when I became really nervous just meeting my husband for coffee.
If you take things slow enough, you can get there. You just have to be determined.

Lucie, that is very helpful and interesting, thank you!   I too am a lot slower at learning practical tasks with other people around and have been worrying about that amongst other things.  I plan to take it slow like you said and see how I go.  

Thanks for the advice

Can I ask what branch of nursing you are in?

I work in aged care, dementia and palliative care.
This suits me as I not into chatter, (I think you made mention of this) I find having to make friendly conversation exhausting.

I like to provide comfort care - rather than seeking cure. And I like the sameness of this kind of work.
Having said all this - at the moment I am having to get a clearance from my doctor to continue to practice because of anxiety issues. Just another hitch, that I will get through - hopefully.

Good luck with that

I work in medicine.....
I just got fired...The boss called me in the office, told me that my co=workers would appreciate it if I would look at them when they spoke to me....
I was bullied for 4 months then fired...Oh and pushed by a man twice my size

I am so sorry to complain my first day here...

When did you get diagnosed?

Do you live in the UK?

If you've *just* been fired, you should know that you can probably take your former employer to an employment tribunal on the grounds of disability discrimination.  There is a time limit, though, so you would need to seek advice asap.

"Under the [Disability Discrimination Act] DDA there are four types of discrimination:

direct discrimination
failure to make reasonable adjustments
disability related discrimination
victimisation

The DDA also makes it unlawful for employers to subject disabled employees to:

harassment

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/fo...ation.aspx
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/yo...ction.aspx

Nah Lu..I'm a Yank
Illegal here, I have a great case...Just licking my wounds right now, I'm not sure if I can deal with all of that mess...

Officially a few months ago...Tentatively as a teen

not to upset the conversation going on, but I am a CNA (would LOVE to get into nursing).  I currently work in a group home for Adults with developmental disabilities.  I have to say, it's the best job I have EVER had.  One of my adults is profoundly autistic, he was a rare case of someone actually being BORN with it.  But it is so fun, and I can enjoy myself with them without feeling like a freak.  They think I am funny, and I get down to their level, i.e. playing with them, rocking on the floor with them, and really getting to know them.  I can say that I have a natural talent for this   BUT I have worked in a nursing home/hospital type setting before and I couldn't handle it.  The stress was too much,  and I would come up with ways to stay home to avoid the whole mess.

not to upset the conversation going on, but I am a CNA (would LOVE to get into nursing).  I currently work in a group home for Adults with developmental disabilities.  I have to say, it's the best job I have EVER had.  One of my adults is profoundly autistic, he was a rare case of someone actually being BORN with it.  But it is so fun, and I can enjoy myself with them without feeling like a freak.  They think I am funny, and I get down to their level, i.e. playing with them, rocking on the floor with them, and really getting to know them.  I can say that I have a natural talent for this   BUT I have worked in a nursing home/hospital type setting before and I couldn't handle it.  The stress was too much,  and I would come up with ways to stay home to avoid the whole mess.

I am sorry, but what?  Can you explain the statement above in bold?

What is that old saying about "the blind leading the blind?"