Nurse with Epilepsy

[MMC.RN]

Hello,

I was recently diagnosed with epilepsy after having two grand mal seizures within two weeks, one of which occurred at work. Recently, we've been experiencing a shortage of NOC RN's and there is a lot of mandatory OT to NOCS. My issue is that messing with my sleep schedule is a trigger for seizures. Along with this is the fact that I can't take my anticonvulsants because they tend to make me lethargic and loopy.

I talked to the disability coordinator and HR and they said that I wasn't able to get an exemption to not be forced to NOCS because mandatory OT is part of the job description. I rotate from AM to PM so I told them that I could be forced to PMs with no problems, but NOCS remain an issue. In my correspondence with them they also said that they would consider medical termination if I had any more seizures at work because it is a safety issue. I am very stable as long as I take my medicine on time and maintain a steady sleep schedule, however they are making it impossible for me to do so.

I was just wondering if there are any nurses out there with epilepsy who have mandatory overtime as part of their job description? If so, does the ADA cover you so you don't have to work night shifts?

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

I'm not a nurse with epilepsy, but DANG. These people hold their poor staffing practices (mandatory OT = poor staffing practice) to a higher importance than your health... and they are willing to terminate you but not accommodate your need to sleep and need to take your meds???

You need to fire your employer. Hugs!!