A Nursing Student with Epilepsy?

Nurses General Nursing

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There is a girl in my nurse aide class and she has epilepsy that is controlled through medication. I have two questions; can she actually become a nurse and work in a hospital or will companies turn her down for her condition? And can she be a danger to her classmates and future patients although she is on medication?

I'm trying to make this not rude, but I am genuinely concerned about her.

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Yes, she can still be a nurse as long as it is well controlled. It is against the law for a company not to hire someone based on a disability or an illness. I don't see how she can be a danger to anyone. All you can do is support her. I would be more concerned with her competency as a nurse than the epilepsy.

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Thank you! She has had a seizure recently and she hurt a few people during it.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Why would she be a danger to anyone? Her condition is between her and her provider, and apparently she passed the physical for school.

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How could she hurt someone during a seizure? By falling on them? I know plenty of nurses w epilepsy, and even met an NP w epilepsy the other day. Epilepsy has a spectrum of effects on a person, however, most people who are well controlled live normal lives and function just like the rest of us.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

Yes, you can become a nurse, even if you have epilepsy. You don't need to disclose your illness when you are being interviewed for jobs. You shouldn't be a danger to others. It might be a good idea when you get a job to let someone know, in case you do have a seizure; that way they'll be prepared and not think there's something else going on.

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Specializes in Pedi.

1. Yes, she can become a nurse with epilepsy. I'm not sure why anyone would question that. Epilepsy doesn't affect one's intelligence. It is ILLEGAL for employers to discriminate based on a medical condition. And why would anyone disclose such a condition during the hiring process?

2. I don't even understand what you are asking. How could she be a danger to someone because she has epilepsy? I worked in neuro for 5 years and have volunteered with children with epilepsy for 10 and I have NEVER heard of a bystander being injured in the course of someone's seizure.

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Lots of us nurses have a variety of ailments that we live and work just fine with.

Should someone who is diabetic not be allowed to be a nurse because they might experience hypoglycemia and collapse?

Should someone with a mental illness not be allowed to be a nurse because they might go postal and go on a workplace rampage?

If you weeded out all of the nurses with existing health issues from the workforce, you'd be left with very few nurses.

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1. Yes, she can become a nurse with epilepsy. I'm not sure why anyone would question that. Epilepsy doesn't affect one's intelligence. It is ILLEGAL for employers to discriminate based on a medical condition. And why would anyone disclose such a condition during the hiring process?

2. I don't even understand what you are asking. How could she be a danger to someone because she has epilepsy? I worked in neuro for 5 years and have volunteered with children with epilepsy for 10 and I have NEVER heard of a bystander being injured in the course of someone's seizure.

Seriously. My daughter has epilepsy and I have witnessed hundreds upon hundreds of seizures of any and all types. Never once has she injured anyone and/or herself for that matter. If she ever wanted to be a nurse I would be thrilled because of all her experiences and empathy for others with health issues or disabilities.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I know, right?? What, did someone stick their finger in her mouth to keep her from swallowing her tongue? (Yes, I am being facetious.)

I too have many years' experience in neuro and have seen many GTC seizures...not to mention pseudo-seizures which were indistinguishable from the real thing. (I don't mean people faking to get Ativan, I mean actual psychogenic pseudo-seizures.) I'm having THAT much trouble figuring out how she hurt someone.

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May be playing the Devil's advocate here.

What ever the legal ramifications regarding employment

include .. seizures are unpredictable in nature. The level of anti seizure medications can be therapeutic, however in 60 % of the cases.. seizures can still occur.She could drop out at any time.

I would not want her to be MY nurse or be working with her.

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Seriously. My daughter has epilepsy and I have witnessed hundreds upon hundreds of seizures of any and all types. Never once has she injured anyone and/or herself for that matter. If she ever wanted to be a nurse I would be thrilled because of all her experiences and empathy for others with health issues or disabilities.

The issue of a person having a seizure.. and causing injury to a repsonder is not the point here.

This person is responsible for the well being of their patients.If they have a condition .. that could cause them to become unresponsive.. and need help themselves.. at ANY given time .. should not be caring for others.

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