Can I be kicked out of Nursing School for having MS?

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Im 21, and have been in the nursing BSN program for 1 year now and 3 more semesters left. I just got diagnosed with MS yesterday and I had a terrible thought (among many others) come in my head.. Would my nursing school kick me out because of my diagnosis?? I don't really have any symptoms, besides eye pain which is what sent me to the eye dr and promoted the MRI scans and labs (which they originally thought it was a tumor)... But my concern is can they kick me out nursing school because I have MS now? The rationale of I guess why I'm concerned with that is patient safety?? Even though I have no symptoms to where a patient would ever be in harm...

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

First of all, I am so sorry for what you are going through. Getting such a diagnosis must be major shock, and I encourage you to find support in your fiends and family.

Second, your school can absolutely not kick you out because of your diagnosis. The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits that kind of discrimination. However, your school may require that you disclose your disability as well as any special accommodations that you may need. If you disclose these, then the school is required to accommodate you within reason.

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Thank you, that makes more since now. Just don't want this Dx to take over what I have been wanting to do my whole life! But your explanation definitely reminds of the ADA. Thank you! I feel a little better now.

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I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis; as Double-Helix stated, please take care! In addition to support from friends and family, you school/university may have confidential counseling available to help you through this diagnosis.

Just wanted to bring your attention to the fact that AN has an entire community and forum dedicated to nurses with disabilities. You may be able to find some relevant insights from other nurses who have experienced medical issues that pertain to clinical practice. https://allnurses.com/nurses-with-disabilities/

Best of luck to you!

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