Deaf Nurses or Student Nurses

Nurses Disabilities

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Hi

I am hard of hearing and student nurse from Illinois. I had experinced hardships with nurse educ.instruction. They are having a hard time believing that deaf or hard of hearing can have access or professional careers in nursing or medicine. I tried to explained to them there are deaf/hard of hearing nurses and doctors out there.

My questions to those who are working as a nurse or student nurse, how did you overcome this type of barrier and What resource did you use while in school..i.e for example did you uses CART captioning or interpreters? If you did uses interpreters what level were they and were they familiar with medicine/nursing content and terminology?

Also how well did each of you did on tests? Did you have the interpreters interpret the questions to you or were you able to understand the material the way they worded the test?

Thanks

Abby

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Specializes in L&D, Family Practice, HHA, IM.

Hi, Abby!

I too am deaf (hard-of-hearing, with 55dB hearing loss in both ears) and have worn behind-the-ear aids since I was 2, and speak English and don't know how to sign, so I never needed interpreters since being mainstreamed at age 5.

However, I have always made it a point to let ALL of my instructors know that I am HofH, and I have usually sat close to the front row in the classroom. I have had only ONE teacher in all my years of education (BS in Anthropology, ASN) give me a hard time about it--all the rest didn't have a problem repeating what they'd said or meeting with me after class if I didn't understand a concept clearly or needed to go over some things.

One time, though, in clinicals, I asked my instructor about HCTZ and for her to spell it out. She did, and to clarify what I'd heard, I asked her to repeat it again. "It's spelled the way it *sounds*," she snapped.

I replied, "Well, sometimes the way I hear things are not necessarily how they're spelled."

She stopped, considered what I'd said, and said, "Good point," and THEN spelled out HCTZ. She never gave me a hard time again.

In RN school, I had a special stethoscope that had the bell, the diaphragm, and extended range all on one piece, with a volume control. I used this (and still do) in my clinicals and practice, and keep batteries for it in my locker at work. I did have to go through my Disability Support Services people at my CC, but they were great and have been of assistance every step of the way. I did have to have a letter from my audiologist, along with the results of my audiology tests, to confirm/prove my deafness. I have been working in L&D for the last two months in my orientation, and have told each MD/CNM/CRNA that I work with that I am deaf (esp before going into the OR for a C/S or BTL) and to shout my name and/or speak loudly when talking to me. So far, all have been compliant and respectful. I find that being upfront about my deafness and clear about what I need (proper enunciation, no mumbling, etc) has been the best way to handle things. It's all in the attitude, I guess.

Please let me know if this helps you. You CAN do it. So have I, and many, many others.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

HI there. Moved to General Nursing Forum, in hopes more see and respond. Welcome to allnurses.com!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I have worked with a deaf Nursing aide, (a little sign language instruction from her and we worked excellent together!!!) and it's my opinon that the Deaf and HOH make excellent CNA's and will make excelent nurses. as a matter of fact Gallaudete university has a chapter for deaf and HOH medical care workers. I don't remeber the exact website. If i were you i would go for the gusto and get that nursing degree. you will be invaluable for the Deaf and HOH world especially if you know (which i took it to mean that you do) ASL. Much luck!!!

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Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

Well I will tell you a sad story that wound up being okay...thanks to a newbie nurse ;).

I had this patient my first day as an RN in hospital! He was deaf, and didn't want anyone to know he also couldn't read! So everyone before me wrote what was going on on a wipe board for him...but never noticed (?) that he wouldn't respond with anything but a nod???

Well I was to discharge him, and he and his wife (also deaf, also couldn't read!) were in tears!!!!!! They had NO idea he had had quad by-pass surgery!!!!!! I figured as much when I put "purple monkey dishwasher" on the write board and they nodded!!!!!!!!!

It took forever and SO MANY hurdles via administration to get a sign language interpreter (costs alot, guess admin didn't see the point???). Insisted the MD come in (once they found out about 'purple monkey dishwasher the MD came fast!!!) and for two long hours...explained all that had happened over the past two weeks for this patient (two sites got infected for a longer stay!!!).

I got the biggest tear filled hugs of my career from them...finally someone that took the logic and time to figure out...ummmmmmm they don't understand..must be a reason!

Since then I have tried to get into the local community college sign language course with no avail (mostly due to my nursing schedules, and well heck, money too). It is a two year program and you must be accepted..guess even they don't see the point in a nurse knowing it????

But...I have learned some, and do my best no matter the language borders..that is my job as a patient advocate!

And shhhhhhhhh I still get Christmas cards from them! :)!!!!!

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There is a med student that is training where I just finished my contract. She has a sign language interpreter with her there, and at classes. She is apparently the 4th in the program there, and they have had much success.

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Have you any experience a problem with Board of State that not approved or denied your application for certification by examination due to your deaf or partial hearing loss?

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I have worked with a deaf Nursing aide, (a little sign language instruction from her and we worked excellent together!!!) and it's my opinon that the Deaf and HOH make excellent CNA's and will make excelent nurses.

Thanks for those encouraging words! Would you like to tell that to the recruiters and nursing managers I've interviewed with and trying to get a job. I'm a deaf/hoh RN (just passed the NCLEX) and still looking for a job. A lot are saying they won't hire a new grad without undergoing an internship. However, my instructor(s) are saying that isn't true. I'm not sure what to do. I keep applying for positions but no luck.

Any advice you may have, I'm open to them!!

Thank you,

Redheaded-nurse

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Hello!

I just graduated from nursing school. I used CART services, which I'll tell you was awesome because I was able to follow what was going on and take my own notes from it. I did not use an interpreter because it isn't my 1st language. I was "required" to have an interpreter during my clinical training/rotations. I complied with it so I could get my training and I would say approximately 90 - 95% of the time my interpreters just stood there while I did my nursing duties. The nurses I worked with or precepted me were impressed with me and kept asking me why I had to have the interpreter(s). I explained it was required and they shrugged it off. They continued to work with me and teaching me as much as they could.

As for the tests - I had no interpreters with me. I took the test just like everyone else in my class.

I hope this helps....

GOOD LUCK!

Redheaded-nurse

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I have been completion nurse aide a course approved by Virginia Board of Nursing as meet all requirements for a nurse aide course, that making me eligible to take national certification exam but that will be 2 years this summer since they have not approve my application for certification by examination bec of my deaf I feel this is all waste but I am not give up. I already show up for a informal conference with board of nursing they couldn't make decision if I can take a examination so there will be formal meeting with board of nursing coming soon; I feel this is so unfair and I did nothing wrong.:o

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I have been completion nurse aide a course approved by Virginia Board of Nursing as meet all requirements for a nurse aide course, that making me eligible to take national certification exam but that will be 2 years this summer since they have not approve my application for certification by examination bec of my deaf I feel this is all waste but I am not give up. I already show up for a informal conference with board of nursing they couldn't make decision if I can take a examination so there will be formal meeting with board of nursing coming soon; I feel this is so unfair and I did nothing wrong.:o

Hang in there. You can do it!

First of all, I find it odd that they'd say they can not approve your application for certification by examination because of your deafness. Wouldn't that be considered discrimination?

I applied for the examination and took it (state of Texas) and passed. I'm a RN. I wonder why that is the case in Virgina. What kind of examination is it?

Redheaded-Nurse

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Thank you, Your word mean lots to me and I wont give up. I was wonder do you have to mark check when application ask you such as mine in virginia "Do u have a mental, physical, chemical dependency condition which could interfere with your current ability to practice as a nurse aide?" I'm tried to take my first time NNAPP written and skills examnation to get my certification nurse aide but they never make a decision to approved yet

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