Starting nursing school next week with one seizure under my belt.

abundantjoy07, RN · Sep 3, 2004

tracy,

i'm probably not the best person to respond to this, but i don't think your seizures should deter you from becoming a nurse. there are so many different areas of nursing to work in. i would say if these seizures are recurrent seizures certain areas of nursing may not be in your best interest. i don't think anyone can say they wont hire you outright because of your seizures. but i don't know. someone more knowledgeable will probably respond. but overall, as long as you can do your job and do it well your personal issues are just that personal. it is good that you are willing to tell others about your seizure. hopefully the meds will work for you. but in either case don't be discouraged. a nurse with one arm that can do her job and do it well is just a good as a nurse with 100 arms if not better. just take care of your health and well being.:)

Fly4Life12 · Sep 3, 2004

I'm good friends with a nurse who has epilepsy. She does just fine at work. Sometimes she will just sense a seizure might come on and has had to go home because of that. and i've witnessed one of many seizures. just as there are other nurses who have heart conditions, lung conditions, even psychological conditions, there will be nurses with neuro conditions as well. Take care of yourself!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2004

I worked with a nurse who had a childhood history of seizures. Once she forgot to take her meds and had a grand mal at work, but she told someone when she had her "aura". Anyway, it didn't deter her from being a nurse in the first place.

You are under no obligation to disclose intimate details of your medical history to the school if you don't want to. But it's a good idea to let someone know in case you do have a seizure while at school.

Good luck.

bulletproofbarb · Sep 3, 2004

Hi daisy!!

I was the person who pointed you in this direction. I also have epielpsy and post on braintalk, and like daisy, feel that the information she is getting, is conflicting, and discouraging and would stress me out to no end if I was currently in daisy's shoes..

My personal opinion on disclosing epilepsy is just that, a personal one. It is up to the person. HOWEVER, if you are filling in a form and it states "have you had any seizures, fainting episodes, blackouts, fits, history of epilepsy" then it is important to be truthful. I disclose it and never had a problem getting employment but have met some ignorant bastards in my time.

I agree with 3rdshiftguy though. I think you should tell someone but wait until you get to know a few people, and maybe a few anonomys questions like "what do you think about nurses with epilepsy" (not disclosing your history) will help weed out the ones who are unsupportive. Basically, I am suggesting a general discussion with some of the people you will meet. Turn the table around and ask things like "I have a friend with epilepsy who wants to be a nurse but has recently been diagnosed with epilesy. Can you give me any advice for her" Those who give negative responses, then obviously, they aren't the ones to confide in but I think you will find a supportive person, be it another student, lecturer, councellor at the school ect.

Whilst the first few months are overwhelming and I have no idea what they wil require of you, (hopefully an LPN will be able to fill us in on this), more than likely you won't get a heap of work straight away and will be able to ease yourself in gradually.

I have had seizures at work, I know when they are coming. I had also had sporadic, unexplained episodes of drug intoxication yet have taken the same dose, done nothing different in the last couple of days before it happens and have had to have time off.

On the positive side, your eeg shows nocturnal spikes. So, the chances of having nocturnal seizures during the day are low.

Also, from experience, foggy drug brain is worse when you are not doing anything. I used to do boring stuff like jigsaw puzzels ect when I had foggy drug brain because it does pass and sleeping it off is, in my opinion, not healthy.

Here is an old topic I posted on about starting nursing school and epilepsy:

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46690&highlight=nurse+epilepsy

Hoping someone else can help here and some advice on that the first few months of LPN school are like from any LPN will also help with the decsion.

uk_nurse · Sep 3, 2004

i could be wrong but i dont think they will accept you on the nurse training course here in UK if you have seizures

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Sep 3, 2004

One of the best students we ever had at our school (clinically) had a history of seizures. He is now an awesome nurse in practice.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2004

the only type of nursing I would recommend you stay away from is home health, as you would be in the car a lot and always alone. Other than that, you should be covered under the Disabilities Act. BUT!!! There are some drugs that may cause your state Board of Nursing to consider you a liability to the public. I know that psychotropics are usually at the top of the list. I have no idea about your med, but you might contact the BON for clarification. I see no reason why you could not work, since your condition can be controlled. I am diabetic and there is always the chance I could faint due to low blood sugar---but this has never happened to me. Good luck and hope that one experience was your last!

bulletproofbarb · Sep 3, 2004

i could be wrong but i dont think they will accept you on the nurse training course here in UK if you have seizures

apparebtly they do. I had to look into that when I was registering in UK. I trained in australia and infact, the NMC (UKCC) were quite shocked that was the impression.

daisy9980 · Sep 3, 2004

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for your replies to my concerns...this is what happened this morning for me.

So I called the school.

So I called and stated "are there any medical restrictions/guidelines that would prohibit me from applying to this LPN program"? ( I was anonymous and acted like I would be applying for next year 05) Then she starts with the vision impaired or hearing inpaired, being able to life 30lbs ect. and she said I am not very clear as to what disability you would be speaking of. I told her I had a seizure in the beginning of summer. I have been on meds and have been seizure free. Would this be a problem. She said no it shouldn't. I said could you please go ask someone else to get a definate answer, this is very important. She came back and told me as long as my doctor gives me "medical clearence" on my physical that it would be no problem. SO it seems like this will NOT stop me. They will NOT be discriminating against me. I am very relieved and glad I called. NOw all I have to do is call my friend and ask her if she will "hold my hand" threw the first month because with the meds it will be especially hard for me. (she took this same exact program last year and just finished in august) I am very excited and glad I asked, I think carrying the worry of wondering until December would have been very unhealthy for me. I am happy. Please pray for me and cross your fingers. Tracy (maybe nurse tracy

I look forward to coming to this forum often. You all seem like a great group of people. I am glad this slight bump in the road will not destroy my dream of becoming a nurse. Thanks alot:mad:

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Sep 3, 2004

I am happy for you - there is no reason someone with a seizure disorder that is under control should not be a nurse. You will probably be an even better nurse for it and we will be glad to have you. Just remember - everyone is overwhelmed during nursing school whether they act like it or not. I think you will do great!

daisy9980 · Sep 3, 2004

I love this forum, you guys are great and I look forward to many discussions with you in the future. School starts this wednesday so I have to get my rest and fun in before then Many thanks to all of you who replied, Tracy