Blind in one eye...can I still be a nurse

getoverit, BSN, RN, EMT-P · May 2, 2009

There was a story several years ago of an EMT who was completely blind. I can't remember where and they were obviously very limited in their ability to work as an EMT (no driving, carrying patients down the stairs, etc.) but he received EMT certification.

Who told you that you could not get certified as an EMT? Your vision problems should be a concern for potential employers but not for taking a class to become certified. Same with nursing, I can't imagine why that would hold you back.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · May 2, 2009

I am legally blind in my left eye, with 20/200 vision which means I can generally make out shapes and colors, but little else. It hasn't held me back one iota..........just need readers so I can see the small print on medication vials! :specs:

cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP · May 2, 2009

I don't see why you couldn't be a nurse. I guess that as an EMT your expected to be able to drive and moving patients (carrying patients down stairs and other similar obstacles) but I don't really see why you would have an issue being a nurse though except you might not want to do home health but even that I'm not sure if it would be an issue for you. Do you use any sort of assistance devices because of this condition? Are there any other activities that you know of that you aren't able to do because of this condition? If the answer is no, then your most likely all set. I would speak to the chairperson of your college's nursing department and your college's disability services department and make sure everything will be fine ahead of time. Good luck!

!Chris :specs:

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · May 2, 2009

I know a nurse who lost one of his eyes. He functions fine.

tripleagraham · May 2, 2009

Thanks for all the responses so soon! Let

tripleagraham · May 2, 2009

Thanks for all the reply's so soon! Let me clerify one thing. It's not that I was told I could not get my certification, it's that I was told I would not be able to find a job as an EMT. I just wanted to make sure that I would not have a problem once I finished nursing school. All of the job discriptions that I have read require that you have depth perception and I do not. I will check with my school to see what they say. I do not require any special devices or anything. I do wear glasses for my other eye. I do everything else that other people do, including driving, so I do not see why I would not be able to be an EMT or nurse. However, what I was told and have read, has me a little concerned about my choice of major.

GilaRRT · May 2, 2009

Not true. One of my mates is a paramedic and new grad RN. He sustained an injury while doing house work while in his twenties. He is blind in one eye; however, he will be retiring from the local fire department as a 20 year fire/medic.

Most people who say you cannot really have no clue when it comes to disabilities and working.

newohiorn, BSN, RN, EMT-P · May 2, 2009

I agree with the others--I don't see why you couldn't be an RN or an EMT. Go for it.

akanini, MSN, RN · May 2, 2009

My LPN friend is blind in one eye.... Go for your goals!!

WalkieTalkie, RN · May 2, 2009

An ER nurse I used to work with only has one eye and he does just fine.

iteachob, MSN, RN · May 2, 2009

I used to work with a pediatric resident who had only one eye (the other being glass). The man could intubate a crashing preemie like no one I've ever seen!