new nurse health issue

Nurses Job Hunt

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Hi All,

I'm a new RN entering the job market right now. This is a second career and I'm an older new RN. I have a health issue and am not sure if it will cause any problems for me when job seeking. Think this might be a good site to hear others' experiences with this issue.

I have mitral regurgitation. My PCP monitors but has not recommended treatment since I don't have any symptoms associated with the condition. I'm not on any medications. The condition did not interfere with my completing nursing school.

Some Nursing Jobs require a post-offer physical. My question is whether this condition could result in an offer being rescinded. I will be honest in answering any health-related questions I am asked since lying or withholding information can only cause problems for me and my patients.

Don't know if helpful--I'm seeking psych nursing jobs since I have previous mental health experience in my first career.

Thanks for any information you can share based on experience!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

We cannot offer any medical advice but it should not hinder your job application process....you are symptom free and med free you are ok.....it would only hinder you if you have significant restrictions.

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Esme, thank you for your response. :) Is helpful. Also, thank you for clarifying about medical advice as I get that from my PCP and am not seeking here. I am only seeking general information/experiences other nurses have. Again, thank you for your helpful comment.

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One other thing, since I'm new here, I think is ok to ask for general information/experiences from other nurses about my situation? If not, please let me know. Thanks again :)

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I don't think that your personal health issues are any of your employers business.

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Specializes in Pedi.

Pre-employment physicals are more for things like making sure your vaccines are up-to-date and making sure that you're not on drugs than they are about your personal medical history. I have a much more complicated medical history than you and see no reason to inform a prospective employer about any of it.

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Pre-employment physicals are more for things like making sure your vaccines are up-to-date and making sure that you're not on drugs than they are about your personal medical history. I have a much more complicated medical history than you and see no reason to inform a prospective employer about any of it.

The last pre-employment physical I had to do included the questions-

-are you on any medications

-have you been treated by a physician for any medical reason in the last 1 year?

-the clinic name/address/phone number to your pcp.

What it did not include- a drug test.

What would you do with those questions? The prospective employer seems to feel you DO need to inform them.

For the record- I listed all my meds, medical conditions, and visual impairment. After verifying with my md that I did not have any restrictions or need any special accommodations, I was offered the job.

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Loriangel, KelRN, and Kunzieo, thank you all so much for your comments. You too again, Esme. Thank you all for your support to a new RN. Wishing you all (and all nurses!) a happy Thanksgiving!

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You have a benign condition. You are not expected to disclose that @ the time of your employment offer.

Focus on the positives, you can do this.

Good luck, keep us posted.

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Focus on the positives, you can do this.

You're absolutely right. :) Thanks for the reminder!

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Specializes in ER.

Most physicals are nothing. Sometimes they will dip your urine and then look over the standard questionaire of any major past medical problems. The worst I've had is a physical for the fire department and they went indepth where they did an EKG. No other fire dept was that intensive with their physicals.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Completely agree with PPs - re: keeping your personal information to yourself.

At some point in the interview process, you will be provided with a copy of the job description. It (must) include a section related to 'physical and functional' requirements. This is a list of requirements like 'standing', 'bending', 'lifting', etc. The hiring manager (or designee) will ask you to review the list and ask you if there is anything that you could not do. Some organizations may have physical testing related to back safety... to see if you can lift or bend if that is a job requirement ... but this is not very common.

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