Seeking advice for an NCLEX applicant newly diagnosed with retinal detachment

[Mishey2]

I am posting this for someone who is not a part of the All Nurses community and is too upset to post himself.

A person I know from Canada applied to sit for the NCLEX for a U.S. state last month with no visual problems whatsoever. A week after submitting his application, he suddenly lost sight in one of his eyes. He was seen by two ophthalmologists and then was referred to a retinal specialist. He was diagnosed with Exudative Retinal detachment in Coats disease in that one eye. His other eye is not affected. He currently has a follow-up appointment with the retinal specialist.

His plans to immigrate to the U.S. now have been delayed as he will continue treatment in Canada. His plan now is to move to the U.S. possibly in 2019.

He is worried that his application will be rejected by the State Board if he follows up with a notice that his vision is affected. On the application form, there is a self-disclosure of any disability and at that time of application, he did not have any.

How should this be handled? Especially wording and timing of notification.

Has anyone you know been rejected by a State Board for a visual impairment?

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I know several nurses who have no vision in one eye- one from trauma one from retinal detachment. They both maintain practice and it has never been a barrier to jobs.

[Mishey2]

Thanks for replying! Well if those nurses can work with one eye, so can he. He might have to just be selective in what nursing fields he chooses to work in.

His worry right now though is with the State Board if he should disclose now or after some more treatments.

He showed me the self-disclosure part of the application form and it says that the disability may affect the State Board's decision in accepting his application form. However, if it doesn't hinder him from taking the exam or even working, they may not reject his application.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

He didn't lie at the time of application. Once he has definitive diagnostic and prognosis answers he can then notify the BoN (and if he needs testing accommodations contact NCSBN)

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I am and have always been legally blind in one eye. It didn't get in my way at all. I wish your friend the best of luck.

[ponymom]

My aunt retired from a stellar career in nursing. She has been legally blind in one eye since she was a student. She went all the way up through the ranks from the floor to director. She made some real positive inroads and changes in her county. She was instrumental in getting a air medical service off the ground (literally), amount other things. It never showed her down.