Diabetic RN applying for WA endorsement... anyone done it?

[Dogen]

I'm an OR RN with diabetes who's applying for a WA license. When I got my OR license there was a question about having a condition that limited your ability to perform the job, but since I'm not impaired by my diabetes, I was able to check "no." WA's form has a similar question, but they worded it in a way that makes it sound like you have to disclose even if you're not impaired...

"Do you have a medical condition which in any way impairs or limits your ability to practice yourprofession with reasonable skill and safety? ... 'Medical Condition' includes physiological, mental or psychological conditions ordisorders, such as, but not limited to orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing impairments,cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes..."

Okay, so that's where I'm at. My question is, has anyone here with diabetes gotten a WA license? Did you disclose that you had diabetes? If so, did it affect how long it took to get a license?

I'm in an NP program in Portland, but have a clinical placement over the summer across the river in Vancouver, WA, so I don't exactly have a ton of time.

Thanks in advance!

[ixchel]

Wow, that's terrible wording. I'm not able to answer your question, but as a person with perfectly controlled epilepsy and spinal fractures that are completely stable, that makes me quite angry on your behalf. Good luck, OP. I hope you get helpful feedback.

[kalycat, BSN, RN]

I work with 2 nurses who had no issues (type 1 and type 2) and had someone in my cohort who was type 1 and had no issues with licensure. Hope that helps a little!

[Dogen]

I work with 2 nurses who had no issues (type 1 and type 2) and had someone in my cohort who was type 1 and had no issues with licensure. Hope that helps a little!

It does, although I didn't doubt I'd be licensed, I'm a little worried about it delaying the approval. I'm not even sure I need to check yes for the question, so maybe I should email the nursing board... That'll only take a week to hear back. :)

[kalycat, BSN, RN]

I believe that at least in the case of the person in my cohort, she did not feel impaired by her diabetes, and checked no. Our instructors helped us fill out the paperwork, so, your mileage may vary

[RiskManager]

As a Washington state risk manager, I would check the question 'no'. If your diabetes is controlled and does not cause significant cognitive or sensory impairment, then it has no effect on your ability to practice the profession safely. Thus, I would check 'no'.

One of the RNs who reports to me is diabetic and she has never had a licensure issue, and I am pretty certain she checks 'no' to that question as well. I would certainly advise her to.

[Mavrick, BSN, RN]

"Do you have a medical condition which in any way impairs or limits your ability to practice your profession with reasonable skill and safety? ... 'Medical Condition' includes physiological, mental or psychological conditions ordisorders, such as, but not limited to orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing impairments,cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes..."Thanks in advance!

That's the key to answering the question "No".

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and keep it under control so as not to be impaired or limit my ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety. The BoN is trying to protect the public.

I do sometimes question my co-workers' abilities before they've had their caffeine.

[AnthonyD]

I agree, I'd check NO. It's not asking if you simply have one of those conditions, it's asking if you have one of those (or other) conditions AND it limits your function.

[Dogen]

Thanks folks. I called the nursing commission in WA and they said, "Check no unless you want to see a bunch of doctors, send us a bunch of medical records, and wait three months for your license." So, you were all right. :)