Can I work as a nurse with an autoimmune disorder?

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Can I work as a nurse with an autoimmune disorder?

Dear Nurse Beth,

Not sure if I have any options but to retire from nursing and how do you do that?

I have an autoimmune disorder that has/is causing a multitude of health issues. I can't take any immunizations as I have no means to treat the side effects like fever, pain. I am not able to take IB or Tylenol, etc. due to the exacerbation of health issues, and the fact that my body overreacts to immunizations; I have side effects for about a week instead of the 1-3 days. My PCP as well as the Rheumatologist I was seeing have been passing the buck as to who should be responsible for writing/validating a medical note stating I can't take the Covid vax. for medical reasons.

My physical health issues severely limit what options I have available for continued employment as a nurse anyway, and I must have the note to work. At this point I have to take a refresher class to bring me up to date w/current nursing practices and to work in a specialty area in order to be able to work at all. An expense/time I am not sure I should invest in, hence my question. (I did have a case of Covid over the 2022 holiday season. I believe I will have a high antibody titer when it is tested.)

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2 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Can I Work,

You do not have to retire unless you want to, but realistically, you have to avoid direct patient care for your health.

There are many alternatives to direct patient care, including remote work.

Many nurses work with an autoimmune disorder. A friend has worked for years with fibromyalgia in informatics, risk, and as a documentation specialist. Once in a while, she has to take a leave, and she uses intermittent leave time for her illness. 

There are multiple on-site resources from other nurses working in non-bedside roles. Here are a few for you to read:

 There's a forum dedicated to case management here online and another on telephone triage.

Register on indeed.com and use the keywords remote nursing to find many jobs.

Stay healthy and best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
Nurse Beth said:

Can I work as a nurse with autoimmune disorder?

Dear Nurse Beth,

Not sure if I have any options but to retire from nursing and how do you do that?

I have an autoimmune disorder that has/is causing a multitude of health issues. I can't take any immunizations as I have no means to treat the side effects like fever, pain. I am not able to take IB or Tylenol, etc. due to the exacerbation of health issues, and the fact that my body overreacts to immunizations; I have side effects for about a week instead of the 1-3 days. My PCP as well as the Rheumatologist I was seeing have been passing the buck as to who should be responsible for writing/validating a medical note stating I can't take the Covid vax. for medical reasons.

My physical health issues severely limit what options I have available for continued employment as a nurse anyway, and I must have the note to work. At this point I have to take a refresher class to bring me up to date w/current nursing practices and to work in a specialty area in order to be able to work at all. An expense/time I am not sure I should invest in, hence my question. (I did have a case of Covid over the 2022 holiday season. I believe I will have a high antibody titer when it is tested.)

RA is a tough diagnosis and I'm sorry that happened to you.  How many years have you been out of nursing?

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