Post offer physical

Updated:   Published

Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Surgical, Renal, Oncology.

I have recently moved from Florida to Kentucky.  I've been offered every position I have applied for.  The position I want gave me an offer contingent on my physical.  My concern is that I won't pass the physical due to my history of diabetes and back pain.  My diabetes is managed very well with insulin, diet, and exercise and my back pain no longer exists due to radio frequency ablations.  Does anyone out there have any input or experience with this?  I'm concerned about failing the physical I have to take this Monday 10/19/20 at 2pm.  

Thank you.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing, Pediatrics.

You will pass, it most likely is a drug test and vital signs, bend and touch your toes type of thing, every time I have had to do it, there was no physical exam, just questions. Answer NO to all of them, but I would say I was diabetic and well controlled on whatever meds.  They cant deny you a job because you are diabetic. That is the only thing I would disclose.

6
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Surgical, Renal, Oncology.
On 10/16/2020 at 11:33 AM, scuba nurse said:

You will pass, it most likely is a drug test and vital signs, bend and touch your toes type of thing, every time I have had to do it, there was no physical exam, just questions. Answer NO to all of them, but I would say I was diabetic and well controlled on whatever meds.  They cant deny you a job because you are diabetic. That is the only thing I would disclose.

Thank you so much.  I feel better.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Pre-Op, PACU.
On 10/16/2020 at 10:47 AM, KMULL002 said:

I have recently moved from Florida to Kentucky.  I've been offered every position I have applied for.  The position I want gave me an offer contingent on my physical.  My concern is that I won't pass the physical due to my history of diabetes and back pain.  My diabetes is managed very well with insulin, diet, and exercise and my back pain no longer exists due to radio frequency ablations.  Does anyone out there have any input or experience with this?  I'm concerned about failing the physical I have to take this Monday 10/19/20 at 2pm.  

Thank you.

I have never heard of a job that required a physical.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 10/16/2020 at 10:47 AM, KMULL002 said:

I have recently moved from Florida to Kentucky.  I've been offered every position I have applied for.  The position I want gave me an offer contingent on my physical.  My concern is that I won't pass the physical due to my history of diabetes and back pain.  My diabetes is managed very well with insulin, diet, and exercise and my back pain no longer exists due to radio frequency ablations.  Does anyone out there have any input or experience with this?  I'm concerned about failing the physical I have to take this Monday 10/19/20 at 2pm.  

Thank you.

My job required a physical and it was more intense than I was expecting.

I had to properly lift and carry a heavy box around the room in circles, walk up and down a staircase for three minutes, push and pull a heavy pallet around the room, squeeze something that measured the strength of my grip, etc.

There were also formal hearing and vision tests and a full physical from an MD.

I don't remember much beyond that, but I'm sure I'm leaving a lot out as it was 3-4 years ago. My other nursing jobs basically asked, "Are you dying?" before giving me the green light.

6
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care.

My "physical" was bloodwork (for immunity titers), bring in my vaccination records, color-blind test and vital signs. They didn't even weigh me. My drug screen this time was a saliva test. The questionnaire, which I disclose my diabetes (but do not answer "disability" since I don't consider it to be disabling.. Potentially in the future).

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

I agree that you don't have anything to worry about, your diabetes and back problems aren't such that they would prevent you from being able to perform the job duties.

A common mistake people make is withholding information based on the incorrect belief that an employer can't ask about your medical conditions or deny you employment because of a medical condition, it's not unheard of for Boards of Nursing to take action against your license for failing to disclose requested medical information from an employer.

Employers can't ask about medical conditions that have no potential to affect your job performance, but as an example Diabetes is well established to potentially affect job performance is poorly controlled, and it's well within an employer's rights to investigate whether your diabetes management might affect your ability to do your job safely.  

Answer everything honestly, and you're fine.

5
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds ED.

My current job had a pre-employment physical and they asked me about medical problems and also about my hx with back pain. I told them how I manage it and we talked about how it impacts my job (occasionally I will take ibuprofen/muscle relaxant during a flare and I exercise and watch my movement and body mechanics and that since having a breast reduction I haven’t had any issues). 

I wouldn’t not disclose and since everything is managed and well-controlled I wouldn’t worry about it.

4
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community health.

Mine was "Breathe in, breathe out, okay, you're fine, here's your paperwork."

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Mine was more intensive than I'd expected. I arrived thinking it was just going to be like a yearly physical exam, but then they had someone from PT working with me to make sure I could push, pull, lift an appropriate amount of weight with good body mechanics.  I also had the standard urine drug screen, vitals taken, height, weight, basic physical exam (heart/lung sounds), and they incorporated my N95 fit test, too.  I passed, but looking back, the fitness and body mechanics portion might have been easier if I hadn't been wearing high-heel sandals and a sun dress.

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Surgical, Renal, Oncology.
On 10/16/2020 at 4:52 PM, KMULL002 said:

Thank you so much.  I feel better.

It was exactly as you said.  I was honest and we will see.  Supposed to start 10/26 if I passed.  ?

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Surgical, Renal, Oncology.
13 hours ago, turtlesRcool said:

Mine was more intensive than I'd expected. I arrived thinking it was just going to be like a yearly physical exam, but then they had someone from PT working with me to make sure I could push, pull, lift an appropriate amount of weight with good body mechanics.  I also had the standard urine drug screen, vitals taken, height, weight, basic physical exam (heart/lung sounds), and they incorporated my N95 fit test, too.  I passed, but looking back, the fitness and body mechanics portion might have been easier if I hadn't been wearing high-heel sandals and a sun dress.

Mine was vitals, flu shot, titers, bend, stretch, health questions, etc.  It was easier than yours it sounds like.   The best part of my physical was finding an aide with the best fingernails and now I've found the best place to get them done. 

On 10/17/2020 at 2:32 AM, HiddencatBSN said:

My current job had a pre-employment physical and they asked me about medical problems and also about my hx with back pain. I told them how I manage it and we talked about how it impacts my job (occasionally I will take ibuprofen/muscle relaxant during a flare and I exercise and watch my movement and body mechanics and that since having a breast reduction I haven’t had any issues). 

I wouldn’t not disclose and since everything is managed and well-controlled I wouldn’t worry about it.

Thank you so much.

15 hours ago, CommunityRNBSN said:

Mine was "Breathe in, breathe out, okay, you're fine, here's your paperwork."

That's a physical I'd pass. LOL

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion