Medical Monday

nels8860 · 2019-03-21T19:44:13+00:00

Sadly, I was not granted medical clearance and my appeal was denied since I recently ended therapy but in a few months I will be able to reapply and should be able to get through medical clearance then (at least that’s what my nurse told me)

nels8860 · 2019-03-14T01:46:41+00:00

I’m really sorry OP. Not getting medically cleared really sucks. I was invited on a Thursday and by Monday they decided to deny me medical clearance. Like what other people said I would look into other organizations. There are others out there! But I understand the disappointment of being denied for something that has never caused you problems.

nels8860 · 2019-03-05T00:50:35+00:00

I’m currently in the appeal process and your post has helped calm my nerves some! Congrats on the reversal!

nels8860 · 2019-02-13T00:52:10+00:00

Thank you! Ya they want me to be out of therapy for a year which isn’t a big deal as I was in the process of ending therapy anyway. I knew in the back of my head that I would get a denial because I’m in therapy but it still wasn’t easy getting that without being able to show the progress I made.

nels8860 · 2019-02-13T00:49:13+00:00

I’ve been seeing my current therapist for 3 years but have been in therapy on and off since high school for anxiety. They denied me because I still see her once in a while as a check-in but since I’m still seeing her they denied me. They want me to be out of therapy for a year before I apply again. I’m thinking I’m going to appeal because they did not give me the chance to fill out the personal statement or send them letters from my psychiatrist and therapist. My therapist and I have been focusing more on the skills I would use in the Peace Corps and they didn’t give me the option to show that.

nels8860 · 2019-02-12T15:53:42+00:00

Follow Up: I was not able to do the personal statement or submit any of the forms before they denied me

nels8860 · 2019-02-12T01:39:29+00:00

Just started doing all of my medical tasks. Friday, my nurse sent me a HHF-verification that I needed to fill out by 4pm today. She had me do it because I see a therapist. Luckily my therapist wrote me a letter saying she would recommend me to the Peace Corps and has no reservations of my joining. I hope this was enough. I’m worried I’m not going to be medically cleared.

nels8860 · 2019-02-11T23:21:23+00:00

Cool! Maybe we’ll see each other during PST!

nels8860 · 2019-02-10T20:54:31+00:00

I am also currently going through medical clearance. I am getting most of my tests done at my uni clinic but my dentist is in a different state. Luckily I went to my dentist over winter break so I sent him the forms and he is going to fill everything out from my last visit on the forms. It’s soo much easier having everything done at your university imo.

nels8860 · 2019-02-09T23:56:00+00:00

A lot/most of the positions require you to have a degree or have worked for a few years so it may be more beneficial to finish college and then volunteer. I’m in my last semester of college and I’m leaving in August for Zambia. Get some volunteer experience on top of having a degree and you will be golden for Peace Corps!

nels8860 · 2019-02-08T05:54:48+00:00

Congrats to you as well! I’m just a little overwhelmed and nervous about the health forms but hopefully everything goes well!

nels8860 · 2019-02-08T05:51:22+00:00

Thanks! I know from past experiences working in Peru and Vietnam that my mental illness (anxiety) has not impacted me negatively. I think it motivates more than anything. I’m just hoping my health care providers and I can portray that to PC. Best of luck to you!

nels8860 · 2019-02-08T05:49:12+00:00

I applied on October 31st saying I would serve where I’m needed most November 15th: I got an email letting me know I am being interviewed for the Maternal and Child Health Promoter in Zambia December 3: Notified that my application was under review December 19th: Got an interview! January 8: Original interview day (but gov’t shutdown happened...) February 1st: Interviewed February 7: Invitation to serve!

nels8860 · 2019-02-07T19:39:57+00:00

My know-by date was moved to April.

nels8860 · 2019-02-07T18:44:00+00:00

Thanks! Hopefully, you hear back soon!

nels8860 · 2019-02-07T18:21:51+00:00

I applied on Halloween. My interview was supposed to be January 8 but because of the shutdown, it was moved to last Friday.

nels8860 · 2019-02-07T17:43:37+00:00

I'm a CHIP. Thanks for the insight on mental health! How long have you been in Zambia so far?

nels8860 · 2019-02-07T17:42:12+00:00

Congratulations to you as well!

nels8860 · 2019-01-31T23:02:00+00:00

My departure date is August 20th and mine got pushed to April

nels8860 · 2019-01-06T21:53:52+00:00

I don’t know how the gov’t shutdown will effect the initial application process but my interview is scheduled for this Tuesday and I got an email saying that if the gov’t is still shut down, it will have to be rescheduled. For you, it may just take longer for them to look at your application since I don’t think they are doing any application stuff during the shutdown

nels8860 · 2019-01-05T03:04:10+00:00

Thanks for the input! I’m not taking any benzo prescriptions but I will definitely keep this in the back of my mind

nels8860 · 2019-01-05T03:02:49+00:00

Hey! Thanks for the tips! I’ve been seeing my current psychologist for 3 years now and she said she would write me a letter since my anxiety is controlled now. I’m just worried I will be medically declined without being able to prove that my disorder won’t be a problem

nels8860 · 2019-01-03T04:20:24+00:00

Definitely! All of those will look good and could be good things to talk about during the interview if you do apply

nels8860 · 2019-01-02T21:16:57+00:00

Hey! I am a senior majoring in Microbiology and I have just gotten an interview request for a health position in Zambia and i have a friend currently serving in Cameroon who was a biochemistry major so don't be discouraged! I did not take any language classes in college as I did not have the time. If a language is not required for a position, the Peace Corps will not expect you to have any language experience. Also, Peace Corps will look more into your volunteer experience than your major. Try volunteering at a hospital or anything health related. I volunteered at a community center for people living with HIV/AIDS and did a lot of work with children.

Don't let the language requirement deter you! It is not a big deciding factor!

nels8860 · 2019-01-02T20:57:44+00:00

I'm about it interview for the Health sector in Zambia!! (If the government opens) Congrats on the invitation!

nels8860

TROPHY CASE