- Joined
- Feb 17, 2018
- Messages
- 38
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Hello,
I recently applied to some labs in my school and was rejected from one on-the-spot because I briefly mentioned that I am on Immunosuppressants following a question about my interests (it escalated rather quickly), and was essentially told to reconsider being "pre-med" . I currently volunteer in an emergency room, and all of the labs I was interested in work with pathogens. The problem is that I really really love Immunology, if I could read it for hours, I would (and would totally love to be in an Immunology lab). I also really want to get accepted into Medical School. My health issues don't pose too much of a challenge on my academics, but when I'm sick, I am out for a week or two. At the same time, during my shifts in the ER I can't help but get this foreboding feeling throughout all my shifts, as if I'm coming down with something myself. I don't think I've gotten sick from being in the ER as of yet though, but my condition makes me very susceptible to some really nasty stuff. I would just really like to know if immunosuppressed doctors exist, and if so should I be honest about my condition when applying to these labs or positions? As of now, the hospital I volunteer for isn't aware but I can expect that if they were I'd be out for my own safety and the safety of the patients.
edit: ethical dilemma with wanting to work in healthcare but posing an issue by increasing chance of disease transmission to other patients. If I disclose this information to the coordinator, (or admissions), I can fully expect my volunteer gig to be terminated, if I don't im being dishonest and potentially harming everyone in the ER, including myself. Likewise, PI's studying pathogens need to work very hard to get their license to handle these pathogens. Allowing an immunosuppressed undergrad might pose a violation, if I keep my condition a secret it may be considered selfish, if not, detrimental to myself.
best.
I recently applied to some labs in my school and was rejected from one on-the-spot because I briefly mentioned that I am on Immunosuppressants following a question about my interests (it escalated rather quickly), and was essentially told to reconsider being "pre-med" . I currently volunteer in an emergency room, and all of the labs I was interested in work with pathogens. The problem is that I really really love Immunology, if I could read it for hours, I would (and would totally love to be in an Immunology lab). I also really want to get accepted into Medical School. My health issues don't pose too much of a challenge on my academics, but when I'm sick, I am out for a week or two. At the same time, during my shifts in the ER I can't help but get this foreboding feeling throughout all my shifts, as if I'm coming down with something myself. I don't think I've gotten sick from being in the ER as of yet though, but my condition makes me very susceptible to some really nasty stuff. I would just really like to know if immunosuppressed doctors exist, and if so should I be honest about my condition when applying to these labs or positions? As of now, the hospital I volunteer for isn't aware but I can expect that if they were I'd be out for my own safety and the safety of the patients.
edit: ethical dilemma with wanting to work in healthcare but posing an issue by increasing chance of disease transmission to other patients. If I disclose this information to the coordinator, (or admissions), I can fully expect my volunteer gig to be terminated, if I don't im being dishonest and potentially harming everyone in the ER, including myself. Likewise, PI's studying pathogens need to work very hard to get their license to handle these pathogens. Allowing an immunosuppressed undergrad might pose a violation, if I keep my condition a secret it may be considered selfish, if not, detrimental to myself.
best.
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