[Funnygrl]

Robijo- we're not even allowed water. Nothing. We can't even bring our own pens and paper.

[alicat61]

Originally Posted by Holly

When I was in nursing school (hospital based in the "dark ages") we had a classmate who was asked to leave on the diagnosis of diabetes. The reasoning was that she couldn't possible have any regulation based on the shift work that was expected of students. No exception or trial allowed. Yet, we were taught to accept with compassion any medical condition.

Hi
When I was an enrolled Nurse wanting to train as a registered nurse I to was knocked back because Nursing was to stressful for a Diabetic and She(the Matron) had 2 Diabetics leave because of this
When I did get excepted at a different Hospital I did not tell them.(the medical form had a line crossed through the have you got diabetes?epilepsy questions!!) I was petrified they would find out.(The Matron at my training hospital had Diabetes)
Yes Nursing is hipocryticle(sorry can't spell)

I can not see how they can stop you wearing an insulin pump to an exam It is no different from having a pacemaker (except it is visible)It is keeping you well and alive.

[Janlaton]

It was pointed out above if you had crutches you could take them. Yes, you walk in with them and then like they did with my cane they take them back out of the room and bring them back to you when you stand up again! You might somehow distract someone by making a noise with them!!!!

This was also the reason I had to unwrap the hard candy I was allowed to take in. The russel of the paper as I opened a piece of candy might distract someone.

Most of these test do allow you to "mark" a question to go back to it later in the test if you are unsure of an answer.

My exam was scheduled for 3 hours but I did not need it all. Concentrate more on studying and eat hearty before the test is a good idea. I went to the test with my notes and rode the bus there. Got there and was told no notes are allowed on the site. So I said where do I put them. The answer "In your Car". I replied I rode the bus. So the lady started to make me come another day but I said wait a minute no one told me I could not bring anything with me. Make a place to put them and give me the test. There were lockers all around the room so she said "Oh just put them in a locker". How stupid not to have said that to start with!

Do well on the test. Don't sweat it. Do you not have a practice test. I had practice test that were on a web site to go to before the exam. This really helped me prepare.

I know what they mean about the test site. There were drs there taking the state exams, nursing, teachers and us lowly insurance agents. Ha, Ha.

[GinaLynn]

Wow...this all sounds so frustrating.

I know you are just trying to make sure that everything will go smoothly on the day of your test, but like someone stated before "the pump is your life support"- there is no getting around that!

I would just get the doctor's written note stating that you can't be with out the pump. Then I would speak with the instructor (one the day of the exam) and explain that you have spoken to numerous people, and they said you could keep the fruit snacks with the instructor while taking the exam, hopefully then if you need a snack or feel low you can still have access to it.

I have taken exams where teachers have accused me of cheating when my pump would beep, but I would just show it to them and they were fine with it. You really seem stressed about your test, and this whole ordeal but I think you are just dealing with some ignorant people and once you get to the test and explain it, I think it will be ok

I hope this helps

[kgm0612]

I hope you get things worked out and wish you the best of luck on the exam!

Karen

[pegasus]

I don't know how much time you have before the exam, but I would try this: Send a registered letter, return receipt requested, to: the head of the state dept of education; the state attorney general's office; the head of the state human rights division (most of them have one); the head of wherever you did your studies; and the people who have been giving you a hard time; the head of the american diab association; the head of the state ACLU saying that your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act are being violated and you want a written guarantee that you will be able to bring in the equipment and "medical supplies" i.e., glucose/snacks that you need. Wouldn't hurt to cc a specific lawyer (it can be a friend w/o specific expertise, so long as they have esq after their name) and a science writer/ op-ed board at the local newspaper, and the news directors of local tv/radio stations.

I know, a lot of paper/ registered letters, and maybe pick and choose among them (tho send the most direct ones) but this is friggin' ridiculous, and you don't know how many people have been screwed by this attitude. You may help those who come after you as well.

Good luck!

[Tattoo azz]

I feel for you. If it was me i would just turn up on the day of the exam and bull them by saying i had spoken to various people on the phone and that they had assured me that my pump, meter and a snack were fine, chances are they won't even check, but as i said thats what i would do.
Good luck, hope it goes ok
Azz

[Funnygrl]

"Christine,
I was informed by the National Council that any food is prohibited from being brought into the testing room. Gummy bears are considered snacks and are not allowed. They can be kept in a locker located right outside the testing room and won't take but 5 minutes to "snack". You would just need to notify the proctor when you need to leave the testing room. The "snack" breaks would be on-the-clock. FYI for the RN exam, there are also scheduled breaks after 2 and 4 hours of testing."

From an e-mail I got from board of education lady today. This is getting ridiculous.

[RLK]

Originally Posted by Funnygrl

From an e-mail I got from board of education lady today. This is getting ridiculous.

This *is* ridiculous. If I recall correctly, the ADA has a legal advocacy group, and may be interested in this situation.

Good luck!

Edit: It keeps chopping the link- google "ADA legal advocacy" and it's the second hit on the page.

[Funnygrl]

I just talked to the National Council people. They are now telling me I can't bring my glucose meter in either. It all has to stay locked in a locker. They are telling me I don't even need to file for accommodations- anyone can take a break when they need to (while the test is still being timed) and told me I should rely on symptoms to know when I need a break. That'd work well- if I had any hypoglycemia awareness at all. They told me diabetes isn't covered, because it's "not a disability."

I'm so upset about this words can't even explain it.

I called the ADA and was told that their advocacy doesn't cover higher education and this isn't an employment issue.

I can honestly say I've never felt so burdened by diabetes in education before.

[UpNorth]

Christine, you really should sue their pants off Diabetes IS a disability if you don't have hypo awareness or if you don't have your supplies with you at ALL times! This is a clear case of discrimination against people living with a disease!

[Alice]

Can the dean of your school help in any way? Or, a state senator?

I haven't found the ADA very practical in their advocacy program...

[mimianvy]

So sad to hear that you are going through this. We were one of the first ones to take the test on computers (gee, back in '95) and they did require us to lock everything in the locker. I wasn't a diabetic than (as far as I know) so taking in supplies was not an issue for me.

When I completed a question and click to the next question, there was no option to go back to the last one. When the test was completed, the computer would just shut off, and this was also true if you answered questions wrongly and there was no way to pass the test. My computer shut down in less than 15 minutes... at this time my bowl relaxed and I had to go to the bathroom(I knew I had failed)! A couple of weeks later, I got the letter saying I passed!!

NCLEX is stressful enough without all this **** to deal with.
And stess = weird glucose control... gee, I feel for you. Like others stated, I would just take my supplies in the day of the test (along with a copy of the not from your MD) and speak with them. I'm sure you're not the only one with this situation.

mimi

[RobiJo]

Originally Posted by Funnygrl

Robijo- we're not even allowed water. Nothing. We can't even bring our own pens and paper.

Oh duh. Computer test, silly me.

The rest of my advice still holds true. Plan to run a bit higher that day like around 150. Take lantus for the day. Take a break every hour and half, test, eat if necessary, and don't do any corrections unless you're over 180 or 200 and even then do it to get back to about 150.

[poppa]

I'm surprised no one has suggested this before now...

Go to this website:

American Civil Liberties Union : Affiliates

Find your local ACLU affiliate and explain to them what's going on.

The ACLU is currently having a BIG push to protect against violations of, and to ensure your rights under the Americans With Disibabilities Act.

And, YES as an insulin dependant diabetic, you ARE protected under the Americans With Disibabilities Act.

Call your local ACLU affiliate, explain your situation, offer them a copy of the letter from your Dr.. I suspect after 1 phone call from the ACLU everything just might turn around.

It's worth a shot.