I'm scared of physical exam....

LydiaNN · Sep 2, 2005

If it isn't going to impact your ability to do your job, (even if that means making reasonable accommodations in order to do so) then it won't disqualify you from this employment.

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 2, 2005

I took an offer, but I'm scared of physical exam. Can they disqualify me because I had a hip surgery 18 months ago?
I don't have any physical problems, only that I can't jump and run but I'm fine.
sometimes I limp but I don't have a pain.
Please help.

If a pre-employment physical is required, then, you could quite possibly not be hired should you refuse to comply.

Adam D. RN2005 · Sep 2, 2005

I took an offer, but I'm scared of physical exam. Can they disqualify me because I had a hip surgery 18 months ago?
I don't have any physical problems, only that I can't jump and run but I'm fine.
sometimes I limp but I don't have a pain.
Please help.

I live in cronic pain from a nerve injury in my left hip 4.5 years ago. At times the pain can reach 50, on a modified pain scale where kidney stones = 10. (I have had kidney stones and this is worse.) When I was being interviewed, they were fully aware of the problem, and were more worried about making sure I don't reinjure the nerve than not hiring me. And they wanted to make sure that the unit I went to did not inflame it from the constant lifting and moving of pts. Relax, many nurses out there have different disabilites that maybe worse, and they are working out there on the floor. You will be fine. As long as it does not interfer with your duties, it will not affect you.

Adam, RN.

Adam, RN

nursemomruns · Sep 2, 2005

If a pre-employment physical is required, then, you could quite possibly not be hired should you refuse to comply.

The physicals now have to be post-offer physicals. They can't do your physical until you're offered the job. If you need accommodation for your job, they have to provide a reasonable amount. It shouldn't cause you to lose your job.

livtek · Sep 2, 2005

Thank you to all replays,

I hope I will be ok. I"m starting at postpartum unit in 2 weeks.

I found in their employee booklet, that they are equal opportunity employer, which means I don't have to worry. It is even written there that there job is to accomodate me. I hope is thruth.

But I hope I will not need any special things.

acgemt · Sep 4, 2005

That should make absolutely no difference. I had hip surgery in jan of 2002, and started working at a hospital that july. The occupational health nurse doing my physical gave me a couple arrogant looks and remarks, but I told her I was quite capable of doing my job. They cannot turn you away because of a disability!

You will be fine...if they ever question your capabilities, stand firm in saying that you you perfectly able to do what you have to do.

I took an offer, but I'm scared of physical exam. Can they disqualify me because I had a hip surgery 18 months ago?
I don't have any physical problems, only that I can't jump and run but I'm fine.
sometimes I limp but I don't have a pain.
Please help.

livtek · Sep 4, 2005

That should make absolutely no difference. I had hip surgery in jan of 2002, and started working at a hospital that july. The occupational health nurse doing my physical gave me a couple arrogant looks and remarks, but I told her I was quite capable of doing my job. They cannot turn you away because of a disability!
You will be fine...if they ever question your capabilities, stand firm in saying that you you perfectly able to do what you have to do.

Wow you are good, 6 months after surgery you have been working?

I put my cane away in may this year I was 1 year in terrible shape, but maybe because that I was bedridden for a 6 months before I got the surgery. I was just moving on the wheelchair, but now year and half, I'm fajn, I feel like I got new leg. I'm very flexible and don't have any problems. Just I can't really run or jump, go for skiing. But that is not what I'm suppost to do.

I'm very active now and I don't like to sit, I like to be moving around.

Thanks for your replay.

How are doing now?

acgemt · Sep 4, 2005

Thanks for responding to my reply. I had torn my hip socket and wound up having hip arthroscopy done. I am sure that is nothing compared to what you are going through it seems. good luck to you..

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2005

I feel like I got new leg. I'm very flexible and don't have any problems. . .I'm very active now and I don't like to sit, I like to be moving around.

What I've highlighted above from your post is what you tell the examiner if they ask you about your hip. You shouldn't have any problem with the exam. If there is any concern on their part at all, it will be if you will be able to tolerate the hours on your feet.

livtek · Sep 7, 2005

What I've highlighted above from your post is what you tell the examiner if they ask you about your hip. You shouldn't have any problem with the exam. If there is any concern on their part at all, it will be if you will be able to tolerate the hours on your feet.

Well, I'm after my physical and they didn't really asked me much about my surgery only how long ago it was.

That it is. I hope everything will be ok, I'm litlle scared from my first nursing job here in the US.

NYNewGrad · Sep 9, 2005

Well, I'm after my physical and they didn't really asked me much about my surgery only how long ago it was.
That it is. I hope everything will be ok, I'm litlle scared from my first nursing job here in the US.

I actually posted something about this topic in another thread.

I graduated a couple of weeks ago and am now looking for my first RN job. ;-) I had knee surgery 3 1/2 months ago and I was wondering if I should bring this up in an interview or will that make them second guess my abilities. I would want to discuss my surgery with an interviewer in the sense of it being a tremendous teaching experience for me. I had gone through the role of patient and learnt so much, more than any nursing school would teach me! =)

Is this appropriate to bring up (obviously in proper context) or will it make the hirer uneasy?

Currently I have no pain, can walk easily (very slight limp when I get tired) and am not limited in any daily activities. However, I am not yet able to run (like for a code) or kneel (CPR) comfortably yet. Eack week though I am making huge progress and so this is hopefully a very short term situtation.

What do you all think?