Schizophrenic Nurse Job Accommodation

[falonmontgomeryRN]

I am an LPN who completed school over 5 years ago. I've had three jobs which were all nights, and they all did not jive with me at all. The very act of having to revamp my sleeping schedule and stay up all night really agitated my mental illness. I want to know what if any jobs are available for a nurse like me.

I need a day shift(which is like finding a needle in a haystack), and I need to be able to work alone. I've seen a few nurses whose job was 100% administrative. I do not want or need to work with patients in any capacity at this juncture in my mental illness. I have an extreme willingness to work, but I do need accommodation. I need daytime hours, a clerical position, to be left a lone for the most part, and I would also need my direction from superiors in writing...like via email, since for me I have a hard time concentrating when people are speaking, and I also have a hard time recalling what they have said.

I was graduate of honor in my nursing program, and it feels like my dreams of being a nurse(albeit not in the most traditional way) will never come true. I feel that by entering the workforce and making a wage in the way I intended will not only help my mental illness but most certainly empower me.

Do you guys have any tips on how I would ask for these accommodations? Would I scare off an employer by divulging my disability? Also, do you know what is involved in administrative nursing that may require me to get training in addition to being a LPN. I appreciate any and all replies.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

In my experience as a nurse with a mental illness, there's never a really good time to ask for accommodations. If you do it during an interview, you're virtually guaranteed not to get the job; if you disclose after you've received an offer, it may look like you've concealed valuable information.

My advice is, avoid jobs that require you to provide direct patient care. Unfortunately, you're pretty limited by your education; you may want to consider going back to school to obtain an RN. There are rare occasions when an LPN can get an administrative type job, however. My son is an LPN working towards RN, and he is a resident care manager in a skilled nursing facility. He seldom has to do patient care except for wound rounds, and works with an interdisciplinary team to provide appropriate services and discharge planning. It's a desk job, 9-5 Monday through Friday with holidays and weekends off.

I wish you the best in advancing your nursing career. Stay well.

[Joe33]

What about MDS nurse in a nursing home? There is no patient care involved. You are basically coding the patients for payments in the back office.

[Ruas61, BSN, RN]

What about MDS nurse in a nursing home? There is no patient care involved. You are basically coding the patients for payments in the back office.

I am laughing so hard right now. No clue, no clue.