RN with MS!

[ange09, ADN, RN]

So I've been a RN for 9 years now. I have worked Med/Tele, Float Pool, IR, Cath Lab.. I have my ADN & BSN. I was DX with MS this past yr. I had just finished my 90 day probationary period at the hospital when I was hit with an exacerbation and hospitalized. Long story short, DX RRMS. I had specific work restrictions thereafter. Since then my employer has consistently ignored all my requests for reasonable accommodation and refuses to engage in the interactive process. I retained a lawyer ( I contacted 5 and all agreed to take my case) and its turning into a ugly disability discrimination suit. Heres the thing about being a Nurse, I documented EVERYTHING and kept copies of letters, emails, names, phones calls, etc. Anytime I had a in person or phone conversation, I would follow-up with an email reiterating what was said via the conversation. I stated exact names, dates, and times in all emails and always ended with " If you disagree or feel these statements need clarification, please contact me." They always chose to ignore me! For months!! I have been told I do not qualify for anything cause all my experience is bedside care. So they have been served with a phone book sized complaint to the state & they are being sued. Im like an ex that refuses to give up and go away LOL. My point in this is.. if you have a disability, PLEASE keep accurate detailed documentation like we were taught in NS. " If its not documented it was never done" I truly hope this isn't how things are for most disabled nurses.. Im fighting this health system to ensure they never do this again to another Nurse or employee! We have 7 counts against them. Its sad because you would think a hospital out of all places would have compassion and abide by the law. On a side note, I recently applied to grad school & Im awaiting the results! I applied to FNP school :) and what shall I specialize in? MS of course!

[RNikkiF]

Good for you for advocating so strongly and effectively for yourself!! It sucks that you were forced into a position in which you have to do that! I find it so ironic and unconcionable that nurses have to fight so hard for health systems to recognize that we are people too! We are human, we have medical conditions, too. It's just unreal to me.... I hope it all works out for you in the end... I am curious, though. Once it is all said and done, do you feel you'd want to continue working with that company? I would think it would make me want to walk, but I've never been in that situation... Just wondering.