Seizures under control : Should I disclose epileptic diagnosis to prospective employer?

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Nurse Beth,

I graduated with High Honors 1 year ago (with my ADN and passed the NCLEX in September 2015 . I have not been working (or even applied for an RN position) due to a medical issue.

I am epileptic (complex/partial) however my seizures were controlled the entire time in nursing school. Upon graduation I began to become toxic on my medication and it was no longer controlling my seizures therefore my medication was changed. It took about a year for my neurologist to find a medication the successfully controlled my seizures.

I am now ready to begin looking for employment as a RN as my seizures are finally stabilized however; I have a few questions as my neurologist stated that I cannot work where patient harm may occur due to transient altered mental status, however she did say I AM currently able to work.

• Should I disclose my epileptic diagnosis before I am offered a job?

I know that epilepsy is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), therefore I do not have to disclose this however if I do not, I feel as though my potential employer would feel deceived.

• What should I say to explain why I have not been working?

I am have been began my ADN-BSN degree right after successfully passing the NCLEX and will graduate next year (2017).

• Will my epileptic status and lack of work history since graduation make it difficult (nearly impossible) for me to get hired?

If so, should I wait until I graduate with my BSN or will this only make things worse?

• Is there a specific type of nursing you recommend to ensure patient safety (like psychiatric nursing) or does my condition (if it continues to be stable) allow me to work on other floors/areas while ensuring patient safety?

Dear Worried,

First of all, congratulations on your accomplishments thus far! You made it, you are an RN!

You do not need to reveal to your employer that you have epilepsy, and I would not recommend it. You only need to disclose your medical condition if you are seeking a work accommodation, which you are not doing. Do not wait any longer to begin applying, lengthy gaps do not help you land a job.

If asked, explain your unemployment so far by saying you had some personal matters or health concerns to attend to, and they are now resolved. You look forward to starting as an RN.

The main concern here is with your doctor's work restriction. While you do not have to report your medical condition, you do have to report any work restrictions. And your doctor has given you quite a restriction. It's very vague "cannot work where patient harm may occur due to transient altered mental status" That could be interpreted to mean no patient care by an employer. Most employers would be concerned about their own liability given such a doctor's note.

Can you get with your doctor and request she give you a no work restrictions” ? Anything less than that could be a problem for you when looking for a job in the clinical arena.

Best,

Nurse Beth

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Specializes in Med/Surg/.

Just an FYI..I have worked with several Nurses over the years with seizures /epilepsy and were under complete control. They did their job well with no incident. Your Doctor is putting a spoke in your wheel before you can even turn it...He should re-evaluate....I have had Patients on seizure medication because when they were young they had seizures....After control and 40 years later they never had another...

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I have epilepsy & I've always disclosed it to employers. I've never had a bad reaction to it. However, I also am bipolar & would never tell anyone I work with.

When I told my employers or people I'm interviewing with that I have epilepsy it is a generally pleasant conversation. I was interviewing for a prison position but had to turn it down because it was nights & I can't work nights. The NM was very understanding & gave me her health diagnosis & explained she understood as to why I can't work nights. I have never been afraid to disclose that I have epilepsy. My bipolar diagnosis is another thing all together.

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Specializes in ICU.

I am also an epileptic. How long have you been seizure free? I waited a bit to get mine under control and made sure I could make it through nursing school. All under the close supervision of my doctor.

I started out slow transitioning back to work. Started with just 12 hours a week, then upped it a bit. Now, I can safely work full time. Extreme fatigue is one of my triggers.

I did not disclose my epilepsy. I feel my medical history is my business. I passed my work physical and im weaning off my meds. I have been 5 years seizure free. I also have complex-partial seizures. Stress, fatigue, and extreme heat are my triggers. I had a couple really bad ones that almost killed me.

Take care of yourself. Get adequate sleep, exercise helps tremendously with my stress.

I still feel there is a small stigma with epilepsy. It wasn't that long ago where epilepsy was considered a mental illness and your were institutionalized for having epilepsy. The 1950s were only 60 years ago.

You need though to make sure you are safe for patient care. I also feel your doctor was very vague. Maybe give it 6 more months or just ease back into working.

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Your doctor is covering her butt by not being specific about what is safe patient care. An employer would be very leary should you present a note with this wording. As for not disclosing your medical condition, I would think you would have to disclose it on a pre employment physical. Willing omitting a known medical condition can be grounds for breach of employment contract. I have rheumatoid arthritis. I applied for a job, pased the physical and did reveal that I had RA on the history form. The DON tried to fire me because she did not feel I would be able to do the job. She had a current nurse with RA who was always out sick. The job involved rescue work, climbing ladders and scaffolding. She went to the company doc who did the PE and complained. He backed me up and said my disease was under control and I could do all aspects of the job. I also had a letter from my rheumatologist.

She then complained to HR. They told her that if I hadn't revealed my condition on my history form that she could fire me, but because I did so and was cleared by the doc she had no grounds for firing me. I worked that job for 15 yrs.

So I would ask legal advice before to do or do not reveal your condition

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