Nurses with disabilities

[KLD]

For nurses or nursing students with a disability, or for nursing educators, career counselors or supervisors of nurses with disabilities, this is an excellent resource:

http://www.exceptionalnurse.com/

Also, Nursing Spectrum magazine is hosting an on-line chat with the manager of the above website next week:

October 18, 2006 - Nurses Working with disAbilities
Nursing with a disability is a challenge, but with proper planning, the right knowledge, and perseverance, it is not impossible. On Wednesday, October 18, Donna Maheady, ARNP, EdD, founder of www.exceptionalnurse.com and author of Leave No Nurse Behind: Nurses Working with disAbilities, will be on hand to offer inspiration and practical advice. Join her from 8 PM to 10 PM ET at [url]www.nursingspectrum.com

You can get more information on this from http://www.nursingspectrum.com/

[NJenn]

Thanks for posting this. I am seriously considering med school at the "ripe old" age of 27. Lots of serious thinking about my CP, fatigue, and other secondary conditions going on right now. I have faith that I could make it though, and convince admission committees to take me on, but the question is always at what cost?

[kimba]

I guess it would depend on what speciality you want to end up nursing in becuase there are several areas which would be unwise to go into such as Huntington's Disease and Psychiatric nursing - both of which would require good physical reflexes.

Then again, it also depends on your disability. One of my colleagues has mild MS yet nurses MS residents [I work in a disability institution] really well because she has person experience with the disease process.

[elle]

Thanks for the website! I am a nursing student but haven't started clinicals yet. I am going to check out that book!!

[babs]

Trust me you are never too old to start. I started my LPN training at 41, and went back to finish my degree to be an RN at 49. I have worked in long term care as an LPN, not a good field for anyone with fatique at al. But since I got my RN license I have been in Public Helath, lots of teaching, and I ran a family planning clinic. I am currently on disability leave because of an autoimmune disease but hope to return to my beloved job next year. There are so many places to be nurse, you just have to find your niche. One word though nursing school can be very physically demanding, so make sure you are up to that. There is a chronic shortage of nurses currently so if you can do the clinical part you shouldn't have much trouble getting in. Good luck and remember you have chosen a noble profession,a nd giving to others often helps with your own problems. Good luck

[haven'tgotaclue]

Hello, :)
I think I' going to like this thread...:D

I have been a nurse for 23 years & a nurses aide for 11 years before that. I'm 55 years old & just started receiving SSDI this month. I've been off work since 10/04 with multiple diagnoses mostly due to autoimmune disease like Babs. I find it very hard being the patient...how about you?:(

Blessings, TJ

[Cry Tears]

I was a Phlebotomist for several years.....I find it hard to get poked up to 6 times when incompetant Flea's poke around. I've been left in tears at times as my veins have all dried up....finally they had to get an IV therapy supervisor to try and start my IV....I had been poked by 3 of them and I was getting frantic. The Supervisor poked me twice before she got a good vein. I was sobbing by then....I hate needles despite my having been a Flea.
She looked at me and stated "gosh....you shouldn't be so upset after all you used to poke so many people!" How rude! This woman had no idea what I was going thru...my hemaglobin always hung around 5 and was lucky to get up to an 8 with several units....I had an intestinal AVM....took over 2 years to find it....what an ordeal.
Just shows how insensitive some can be. I was never like this...anytime I had a patient who had needle phobia....I was awesome!
They'd always come back for me if they needed more lab work.
Its hard being on the receiving end.
Bless you nurses...my mom was an RN...always worked nights...like the dif pay! But has taken a tole on her health. I know how hard you work!

[babs]

Hello, I am doing better on the alternate day steroid therapy and HOPE to return to work later this year. The worst of my disabilites now are related to commuication so I will see a speach therapist soon. I work in Public health as an infectious disease specialist and run a family planning clinic, so I erally need my brain back. Good luck to all.

[JAVISI]

Dear Friends,
I am a Registered Nurse. I worked very hard to get my Degree. I worked in the local hospital where I live in the ICU and the ER.

3 Years ago I had to quit Nursing due to a brain disorder, I have shed so many tears, You don't realize what a wonderful career you have until you lose it. I lost my total sense of identity.

I am still working on with my life. When I went to court for my disability a psychologist said what would you do if you were not sick? I thought what a stupid question!!:rolleyes: I would be working as a nurse! It not just a job, It becomes a part of you! I loved my job!

I gained such satisfaction, and self-esteem from my job! I loved doing the little things for people, it really makes a difference in their lives and yours.

I have had Bilateral lobe Pneumonia twice this past year, Gastroenteritis, H-Pylori. I had a g-tube placed, with that I developed complications, My stomach was nicked and I developed sepsis. I got out of the3 hospital 2 days before Christmas.

My veins are shot too, I endured many IV sticks. One time the Nurse dug and dug, then she hit a valve I sayed stop let me do this! I manuvered the needle then had her push the saline slowly to finally flush it past the valve. The last 2 t6imes the couldn't get in a regular pick line so they placed a quick pick. Much nicer, I must say.

Enjoy Nursing for as long as you can, you can never replace the experiences you have!
Love, Javisi;)