Can our medical histories be used against us?

[Nurse Jeni]

This may seem like a silly question, but since I truly don't know the answer, I'll ask anyway! :chuckle

A student friend of mine wondered about our medical histories and if it would have any affect on future nursing careers. Her example was a dx of depression or anxiety and that perhaps those things might be thought of as a risk within certain areas of healthcare.

My thought was that we have the same rights as patients when it comes to privacy, but I know that I've also been asked to list any medications I was taking anytime I've applied for a healthcare job, or had a physical. So even without giving our medical histories, if we were on a med for a condition, it could feasibly be known by our employers. Also, wouldn't be discriminatory to not hire someone because of a dx?

Are our own medical histories something we will have to share or have concerns about when we become nurses? Thanks for any insights!

[BabyRN2Be]

I was told by my PA father & RN mother that you don't tell them anything.....If I were you, I wouldn't take any chances by telling them you are taking "whatever". :uhoh21:

This is so true. We have a saying in aviation (I'm working on my private pilot's certificate) regarding medicals - "No Lie, No Fly". This applies to the general aviation field. In the commercial field they do a little more checking up on you.

[BabyRN2Be]

This whole thread has me very concerned. I'm on a chronic pain management program through my MD. I have arthritis and an auto-immune disorder. The meds allow me to have a semblance of a life when other pain control methods have failed. If I go for a tox screen for either entry to nursing programs or a job and they see those meds in my system, could I seriously be refused a job? That would be so sad after all the hard work of nursing school.

I mean, if I feel I can handle the work and my doc says I can, not a danger to any of my pts? What's the problem? Would they rather have to support me on SSI or welfare the rest of my life?

This has happened to me before at a lower level entry healthcare job, and I don't want it to happen again. I tried to sue the facility, but was unsuccessful due to a mistake on the lawyer's part (long story). I want to work as a nurse! This is important to me. Has anyone been through this before? If I'm taking prescription narcotics would they show up in a tox screen?

I feel like I'm saying too much as it is.

[nurseshawna]

so what about the fbi check that you have to have done? is that mainly a criminal background check? is there anyway they could see what is going on in your health situations?

[pattik9898]

I am almost positive that when I gave my health history in 2001 when I went for a semester and was preparing to enter the RN program that I already told them about the depression. PTSD isn't necessarily "cured". I think it is all in how you handle it and my way of thinking is totally different than what it used to be regarding the situation I was having the PTSD about...does that makes sense? :chuckle

Anyways, in this instance, I am probably better off telling them the truth since I don't remember what in the world I told them before. I will not, however disclose anything that I am SURE they don't need to know. I think it's getting a bit too personal and if I am in no danger of harming anyone then I don't think they need to know.

I never in my life considered harming another person....and can't imagine ever consciously doing so.

yes, dearheart you must be consistent. as you say, don't tell them more than they need to know. the people backing truthfulness have a moral point. but no one has the right to know your medical condition. thus misrepresenting the bloody thing is ok in my book. it's nobody's business but yours. good luck.

[pattik9898]

This whole thread has me very concerned. I'm on a chronic pain management program through my MD. I have arthritis and an auto-immune disorder. The meds allow me to have a semblance of a life when other pain control methods have failed. If I go for a tox screen for either entry to nursing programs or a job and they see those meds in my system, could I seriously be refused a job? That would be so sad after all the hard work of nursing school.

I mean, if I feel I can handle the work and my doc says I can, not a danger to any of my pts? What's the problem? Would they rather have to support me on SSI or welfare the rest of my life?

This has happened to me before at a lower level entry healthcare job, and I don't want it to happen again. I tried to sue the facility, but was unsuccessful due to a mistake on the lawyer's part (long story). I want to work as a nurse! This is important to me. Has anyone been through this before? If I'm taking prescription narcotics would they show up in a tox screen?

I feel like I'm saying too much as it is.

i have numerous illnesses as well. to include an autoimmune disease and a bunch of plastic parts. im sorry to hear that you had a problem with this. it must have been very painful. i too, decided nursing was something i could do. ssi not for me. prescription narcotics are going to show up in a tox screen. i did not have a drug test to get into nursing, but most jobs are going to screen you. i would cuddle up to your doc. he/she is going to need to front this one for you. first he will have to believe that you can do the work, before he sticks his neck out. but supplying a note from him when you go in for the test saying you are under his care and in his opinion you are capable of doing the work, would be the way to go. then say absolutely nothing more. it's between you and your doctor. hopefully the questions would end there. also talking to a disability lawyer is a good idea (a good lawyer) find out what can happen to a person presenting with a tox screen like that. im on a controlled substance and when i went to the work tox screen i brought the bloody bottle with me and told them i take the stuff for anxiety prn. good luck kiddo.

[pattik9898]

This whole thread has me very concerned. I'm on a chronic pain management program through my MD. I have arthritis and an auto-immune disorder. The meds allow me to have a semblance of a life when other pain control methods have failed. If I go for a tox screen for either entry to nursing programs or a job and they see those meds in my system, could I seriously be refused a job? That would be so sad after all the hard work of nursing school.

I mean, if I feel I can handle the work and my doc says I can, not a danger to any of my pts? What's the problem? Would they rather have to support me on SSI or welfare the rest of my life?

This has happened to me before at a lower level entry healthcare job, and I don't want it to happen again. I tried to sue the facility, but was unsuccessful due to a mistake on the lawyer's part (long story). I want to work as a nurse! This is important to me. Has anyone been through this before? If I'm taking prescription narcotics would they show up in a tox screen?

I feel like I'm saying too much as it is.

i have numerous illnesses as well. to include an autoimmune disease and a bunch of plastic parts. im sorry to hear that you had a problem with this. it must have been very painful. i too, decided nursing was something i could do. ssi not for me. prescription narcotics are going to show up in a tox screen. i did not have a drug test to get into nursing, but most jobs are going to screen you. i would cuddle up to your doc. he/she is going to need to front this one for you. first he will have to believe that you can do the work, before he sticks his neck out. but supplying a note from him when you go in for the test saying you are under his care and in his opinion you are capable of doing the work, would be the way to go. then say absolutely nothing more. it's between you and your doctor. hopefully the questions would end there. also talking to a disability lawyer is a good idea (a good lawyer) find out what can happen to a person presenting with a tox screen like that. im on a controlled substance and when i went to the work tox screen i brought the bloody bottle with me and told them i take the stuff for anxiety prn. good luck kiddo.

[TriskixRN]

Serious topic... I'll share my experiences... I haven't been asked to list any specific meds I am on or any specific Dx however, I was informed right before the drug test to name any Rx that might show up or suffer the consequences. So I named the Narc strength meds I was taking and I was then asked why I was taking meds that strong and for how long, and if I planned to stop anytime soon.

I have found if I volenteer any medical information they "hire inside the company" suddenly or I get lower pay; and then there is discrimination and constant remarks / comments b/t the other nurses behind my back or straight to me about my conditions and their not wanting to work with me or accusations of me not providing good care.

I have worked under one supervisor whom told me I was not to report to work if I am taking pain meds or anything perscribed for depression or anxiety. I have found it very frusterating at times b/c I believe most of my health concearns are directly related to my career and my career is exacerbating the conditions.

Who among us has never experienced stress or anxiety or after a while depression caused from nursing? I have been in this proffession 10 years and I never had these problems untill about 2 years ago. I have had lowered pay and worse schedules and more horizontal hostility since being in the hospital I work at a year ago than I had experienced before! Now everyone I work with and the management know my Dx and are constantly critical of my every move and I truley feel they are triing to get me to quit.

So in answere to the original question, YES it can be used agianst you. and as previously stated in this thread just remember and repeat... "I am healthy" and if you don't have to don't take anything that can show on a drug test and only tell them the bare minimum or you will "suffer the consequences".

[TiddlywinksMom]

The Americans with Disabilities Act not only prohibits discrimination in hiring, promotion, etc. for persons with an "an emotional or physical impairment," but also upholds that person's right to not disclose their diagnosis throughout the hiring process and the entire period of employment (unless they he/she is requesting special accomodation from the employer). Further details, and the entire transcript are available on the web (check out the Dept. of Labor website). This does not apply to nursing schools, unfortunately.

[cwgirlqtpie]

Where I live, your previous dx may be used against you. I was diagnosed as bipolar over ten years ago. I was actually encouraged to attend nursing school by both my case worker and my doctor. When I applied for nursing school, nothing was asked concerning my history. Although after passing the entrance exams and going into orientation, I was asked to disclose my medical history. When I disclosed all of my current information, including meds taken (I have been compliant and stable for years .. no signs of either maina or depression in 8 yrs!). I received a letter from the state board of nurse examiners telling me that a copy of my records as well as a letter from my case worker and doctor were required. I graduate in May .... and have a cumulative 3.25 GPA, and still may not be allowed to sit for boards. I am awaiting my answer now. I have sent in for my first time writers and should know something after Easter. I don't think that your medical history should be disclosed to anyone that you don't CHOOSE to disclose it to. We make patients sign privacy statements every day .... but those same rules don't seem to apply to us.

Has anyone else run into this problem?

[alk3rainbow]

I think it is absolutely disgusting that those that do seek help for their mental illness have to face such things. I for one know that I am pretty screwed up, probably more screwed up then most people currently on anti-depressants, but because I'm too scared to go to a doctor I won't have to face consequences for that? How does that seem right? The boards should be glad you seeked treatment and you are working on solving your problem. No wonder why so many people don't get help for their mental problems, there is still such a stigma attached with being mentally ill. It's disgusting.

[finchertwins, BSN, RN]

This is a special subject for me. I am still in nursing school and graduate in December, during my first semester I and my wife seperated and got a divorce. Between nursing school and divorce I was a wreck and during last summer break I checked into a 5 week tx center for depression. Upon being there I found out so much about myself and that I was a rape survivor with ptsd among other things. From that I believe I am now more in control of my life then a lot that have not gone through this. I fear an employer using this against me or even a lawyer if I get in a law suit. If your medical hx is not relevant to the care you give then I say it's none of their biz. They don't need to know so I say I have never been tx before. I do not take any meds either. :chair:

[anonny27]

wouldn't want to offend anyone