Some advice from a person who knows how to navigate through the commercial world with degenerative arthritis!
1: You need to be at least partly recovered. There are physical requirements for any entry level job (and at this point all you are qualified for is an entry level job, your EWS experience is meaningless in the commercial world). Saying that, do not confuse entry level job with meaningless job!. Non Licensed Operator is one of the best and more complex jobs anywhere. In most jobs you'll need to pass at least an entry level physical, I doubt you'll be able to do this if recovering from surgery.
2: I have arthritis in both knees and one ankle, a torn rotator cuff AND I got out of the Navy with two permanently broken elbows. Both now have arthritis and both "pop" and lock up at times. I worked as a Non Licensed Operator, a Licensed Operator and as an SRO. If you're open about your limitations, and work within them, not using them as an excuse you should do ok. The bottom line, do you believe that with your physical condition that you'll be putting someone else at risk or will someone have to work harder because of you?
3: The best planners in the nuke industry are those who came from the crafts in the commercial plants. That's the direction many plants are heading, HOWEVER, any job you feel you are interested in and feel you can do you should go after!!!
If a guy whose base level of pain day in day out is equivalent to having your funny bone hit can succeed in this industry you should be able to do so.
Mike
