Getting hired with disabilities...

[Doxies]

Hi Everyone!

I guess this is a post more to those that might be more invovled in the HR/hiring area of nursing than anything. I will be posting over on the disability forum with a little more information about my situation and perhaps some assistance.

Little background... I graduated from nursing school in May 2008... got a job in a local ER (small town hospital) and loved it. In November of 2008 I was diganosised with thyroid cancer after a thyroidectomy. I went through my treatments and returned to work. Fast forward to August 2009 when I had to undergo a second, and much more invasive, surgery. The surgery itself has left me physical limitations that include lifting heavy weights or my using arms (esp raising over my head) for any length of time. I went through 33 radiation treatments and have had a limited ROM of my neck from that. I also have severe salavary gland damage from the radiation and have to keep a bottle of water with me at all times.

I have tried PT with no success and am currently out on LTD from my employer. I can pretty much guarantee that my dr will not release me to go back to the ER... BUT I am hoping that I can find a position that I am able to successfully handle. Part of me really thinks that if I am in a situation where I *have* to do it I can overcome my own physical battles and pains to get the job done and it will, infact, make me a stronger person (both physically and mentally)... I long to go back to work and miss my job horribly. I absolutely LOVED being an ER nurse... even on the nights that we were stuck playing family practice it seemed like! I loved the critical thinking and being on my toes because anything could come in at any time.

My biggest concern now is that when I find that job how do I go about applying to it? How do I handle the interview process? What do I disclose about my condition? I have to have testing every 4 months because I am at such a high risk for reoccurance and am also being monitored for mets right now. Add to that I have this fear that I will get judged even more because I have to have my water bottle with me at all times. I, seriously, can not carry on a normal conversation without having it with me. I go into coughing spells as my mouth and throat dry out. I doubt I could even make it through the process of triaging a pt in my old job without needing it.

Any advice on what is my best option from here? LTD is only paying me 60% of what my base salary was (and I worked nights, lots of weekends, and a ton of OT) so it has been roughing making ends meet in the house considering I was the money maker by far in the household.

Thanks for any advice!