latex allergy holding me back

[horse_des]

I have always wanted to work as a nurse. When I graduated high school I work as an aide with no problems with my allergy. This wasn't a latex safe facility. I moved on to another local hospital to get my foot in the door before nursing school. This facility is latex safe. I applied and was offered a job until they tested me for a latex allergy. The second they found out I was allergic they pulled my offer. I am no longer allowed to do any type of clinical job even though we are a latex safe facility. I now have a low level clerical job. I stopped applying for nursing school and started to go for my graduate degree in health care admin (I already had my bacholers degree in health science). I can't help but miss my time working on the floor and feel like I should still try for my nursing degree. Has anyone out there had a similar situation? What type of work did you do? I am having a hard time moving up within the company without my RN.

[canned_bread]

I have a latex allergy (just get a rash/itchy hands, nothing to serious, more annoying!) and had the boss order me in some extra latex-free gloves that we have anyway.

There is an increase in latex allergy in the community, so really there is no excuse for someone not hiring due to latex allergy! They should easily work WITH YOU, not AGAINST YOU!

[horse_des]

The problem is nursing schools say you might not be able to get through the program because they use this facility. Apparently this facility test anyone with seasonal allergies for a latex allergy. They do not tell you this. I worked for 4 yrs as an aide and never had a problem and that facility wasn't latex safe. I find it ironic that they don't have latex gloves anywhere but you can't work with the allergy. Do they deny people with hay fever and seasonal allergies from being grounds keepers? No. Do they deny people with food allergies from working food service? No. I personally will go down the road (5 hospitals within 15 miles) then go to where I work because I feel like I shouldn't do my business there since they will not hire people with latex allergies. This is the worst part I know people who work on the floor with this same allergy. I am glad to hear that every facility isn't like this.