Fairly new nurse with lupus trying to work but confusedS

[determined rn]

Hello all,

I am new to posting please forgive me as this will be a long post, want to get all the info out...

I have been a nurse for 3 years now. However, while I was in nursing school I got a job in our VERY BUSY ER here in town...this is where my career started...I worked as a nurse apprentice there for about a year, then as soon as I graduated they wanted to hire me right on as an RN for nights. I worked nights, but the "new grad" program had me doing day time education so my sleep was all over the place, or not getting any...I was getting sick often, and it was unknown as to why until I started passing out at work...I was not safe for my patients so I went out on short term disability to figure out what was going on...from that point on I was always fighting and being stubborn to work...so I was in and out of work for about 9 months when I went back out on STD, which then led to long term disability. The problem then started, bc I wasn't safe to return, we still had no answers, my employer then gave me a deadline that I needed to return to work the next week or I was going to need to resign. Because I hadnt been employed as an RN for a full year I did not qualify for FMLA....So I lost my job. I then got diagnosed with lupus, which had attacked my lungs,heart and adrenals...luckily as soon as I got diagnosed, and got on meds I started feeling better.

I then took another job which was NO stress and I was still able to work full time, but there was no nursing (even though it was still a nursing job) and I missed nursing!!! I am one of those cliches that has wanted to be a nurse since I was 6 years old. I have since gotten back in the "nursing" arena on per diem work, which is great for my health,but no benefits and unsteady work which makes me stress about money.

My dillema is, I WANT to work, but I also need to listen to my body. 12 hour shifts DO ME IN!!! I can comfortably do 8-10hours but, because I am getting sicker more often now, in different ways (sometimes its just a cold, sometimes a flu, sometimes a flare, but most of the time its my joints and back and my immune system is shot) I work about 2 days a week about 8-12 hr days, but financially I need another shift a week and my current place doesn't have it. I have applied for other per diem jobs, but then they offer me full time only.

I do not disclose my lupus as the jobs I apply for do not put my patients in any harm....but I guess I'm seeking all around advice...can I tell my perspective employers of my illness and is this going to eliminate my options (realistically?) I know they can't "discriminate" but they can finagle it to other things. Have any of you disclosed your chronic illnesses and what was your feedback?

I'm also teetering on that question "is it time to take care of me" and look in to disability...but I LOVE BEING A NURSE and I was planning a lifelong career...not 3 years...heck i havent even made a payment on student loans because of doctor bills I don't know what my options are to take care of myself AND sustain a living, AND still work at least once a week. I'm confused,scared, determined, and lost as to how to approach things.

I recently applied for a prn position, and they stated they converted them all (it was a new department starting) to full time positions. I know I can do the work, just not the 12 hour shifts....I don't want to lose the job,but this is the 3rd hospital this has happened and if I keep "withdrawing" their offers I'm going to alienate myself.

As someone with progressing lupus, where can I work? And can i discuss this with my employer without losing a job? Should I divulge it to this new offer, and hope they don't deny me?

Any advice will be GREATLY appreciated!!!

Sorry its so long

[alodocios]

you can file for accommodations which can include working the 8hour shift instead of the 12 hour shift. I fell in the OR and hurt lots of things and my lawyer filed for accommodations. When he showed me some of the options, one of them was reducing the work hours. this sounds like what you are looking for.