Epileptic Nurse Anesthetist

[simoncamus]

Hello all,

I am a newly diagnosed epileptic who was recently terminated from my position within a month of returning to work post-diagnosis in spite of being stable, seizure-free, appropriately medicated, and cleared by my neurology team. (This is was preceded by 4 months of being seizure-free, considered for the call team as a new graduate, and 3+ years of having established a stellar rapport and reputation among the group).

I am trying to gauge to see if anyone has had a similar experience, or knows of anyone who has. Surely epileptics, like many clinicians with chronic diseases, are able to safely and meaningfully contribute to their respective fields. 

I would appreciate any and all insight. Thank you kindly.

[nursetim, NP]

The head of anesthesia where I worked as an anesthesia technician was an epileptic. I hadn’t a clue until a few years after I left. My coworker reported that he had a seizure while driving. He remained head of the anesthesia group.

They shouldn’t terminate you for your medical condition, I believe there are laws prohibiting that sort of thing.

[Bryan Wilbanks]

They may have opened up themselves to legal liability for discrimination against an illness. If you live in an 'at will' state then there is nothing you can do, unless you have written proof or others overheard the conversation you have no recourse (they can fire you for anything).

Now, you could threaten to sue (if no burnt bridge to bite you in the ***--you will be black balled by every hospital in your city). While it would never go to court, I can tell you from experience the insurance company will easily give $10,000 to $20,000 out to you to avoid having to pay a lot more. Nowadays, it costs at least $50,000 just to initiate a suit. The insurance doesn't care about making their clients look good, they just want to minimize. You may get way more depending on what you can prove. It is up to the hospital to determine what a 'reasonable accomadation' is. I have an issue that makes it impossible to work night call. They couldn't prove it was a hardship to them, so had to comply.