A Nursing Student with Epilepsy?

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There is a girl in my nurse aide class and she has epilepsy that is controlled through medication. I have two questions; can she actually become a nurse and work in a hospital or will companies turn her down for her condition? And can she be a danger to her classmates and future patients although she is on medication?

I'm trying to make this not rude, but I am genuinely concerned about her.

Yes, she can still be a nurse as long as it is well controlled. It is against the law for a company not to hire someone based on a disability or an illness. I don't see how she can be a danger to anyone. All you can do is support her. I would be more concerned with her competency as a nurse than the epilepsy.

Well controlled is the key word here. How do you define well-controlled?

As far as the ability to maintain a drivers license... it is 6 months without a seizure.

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Thanks everyone, I have heard stories of nurses who put on their resumes that they have epilepsy and employers turned them down anyway. She did not pass a physical (None of us did), this is a high school vocational program for pre-nurse's aide class (Two years of general health and nursing) that we will take before our Senior year (Actual CNA course, we will get physicals.) Many schools have similar programs. Considering this condition has affected her work, it concerns me and her classmates. She did fall back on a classmate, luckily that was at the beginning of the year and she's been fine in class as far as I know. I'm not familiar with epilepsy/seizures.

Some of these comments are just rude, holy cow.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Thanks everyone, I have heard stories of nurses who put on their resumes that they have epilepsy and employers turned them down anyway. She did not pass a physical (None of us did), this is a high school vocational program for pre-nurse's aide class (Two years of general health and nursing) that we will take before our Senior year (Actual CNA course, we will get physicals.) Many schools have similar programs. Considering this condition has affected her work, it concerns me and her classmates. She did fall back on a classmate, luckily that was at the beginning of the year and she's been fine in class as far as I know. I'm not familiar with epilepsy/seizures.

Some of these comments are just rude, holy cow.

There is zero reason to list any medical condition on a resume whether epilepsy or asthma. Having a poorly controlled seizure condition as a teenager is not indicative of future potential. If you are so concerned discuss with your teachers at your high school or your school nurse.

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Thanks for clearing it up everyone! I'm glad she will continue her job safely and successfully. :)

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Specializes in Cath lab, acute, community.

I am a registered nurse and have well controlled epilepsy. I struggled to get through nursing school a fair bit due to memory issues, and even now struggle with memory issues (side effect of epilepsy and meds!) however I am a great nurse and do a great job. I haev to be careful to avoid my triggers which include a lack of sleep (HAHAHA!) and not eating (AGAIN, HAHAHAHA). I have informed my manager and make sure my next of kin is updated in the system when required, for the "just in case". So yeah, epilepsy is not an impediment.

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Specializes in Cath lab, acute, community.

2 years for a drivers license here in Australia. And I have mine.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I am a registered nurse and have well controlled epilepsy. I struggled to get through nursing school a fair bit due to memory issues, and even now struggle with memory issues (side effect of epilepsy and meds!)

Topamax? I take it for seizures and it makes my memory so fuzzy sometimes. Kills me!

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I found out the hard way that you need to inform others of a hx of seizures. I had one at my CNA graduation. It was a withdrawl seizure from one of my meds. Not my anti-seizure meds though. I was so embarrassed! I have had them my entire life, and normally they are very well controlled. Like I mentioned earlier, it was a withdrawal seizure. I take Triliptal. Does anyone else take it and have memory issues too?

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I found out the hard way that you need to inform others of a hx of seizures. I had one at my CNA graduation. It was a withdrawl seizure from one of my meds. Not my anti-seizure meds though. I was so embarrassed! I have had them my entire life, and normally they are very well controlled. Like I mentioned earlier, it was a withdrawal seizure. I take Triliptal. Does anyone else take it and have memory issues too?

Me. I have this weird thing where my tongue and lips go numb from taking it too.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Thank you! She has had a seizure recently and she hurt a few people during it.
She endangers no one really unless people tried to restrain her or stick their fingers in he mouth....which is inappropriate intervention. A person seizing really cannot swallow thier tongue.
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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
The issue of a person having a seizure.. and causing injury to a repsonder is not the point here.

This person is responsible for the well being of their patients.If they have a condition .. that could cause them to become unresponsive.. and need help themselves.. at ANY given time .. should not be caring for others.

I have worked with several nurses who have epilepsy and they are perfectly competent. Including one who seized in the middle of boards from the stress of it all.....she just tested the next year. She is now a CNO I believe .

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I think it's all about knowing yourself and your triggers and being compliant with your medications. I have to work extra hard to get enough sleep and it sucks not being able to drink coffee when I'm tired at work but those things lower my seizure threshold.

I'd be lying if I said my disorder didn't cross my mind a time or two with regards to putting patients at risk. What if I was accessing a patients introducer or CVC and I went down, pulling it out with me? But I've identified what allows me to be safe and seizure free for 1.5 yrs now because I have to protect myself and my patients.

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