Getting into a nursing program with a L.D.

Nurses Disabilities

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Hello everyone,

I have always had an interest in nursing, due to the fact that many of my immediate family are in the healthcare field. It is my dream to become a Nurse. I took the TEAS and was confident that I would pass. I done exactly as I predicted; well on everything but the math which has always been a problem for me. I have a 3.7 GPA and made A's in anatomy and Physiology (as well as several other classes that will go towards my Bachelors).

The problem is that I never told anyone at my college about my learning disability that has haunted me since the third grade. But it has became apparent that I am going to need some help if I am going to succeed. Understand that it is counterintuitive to every instinct that I have to ask the college for any type of help. But it has came down to either my pride or following my dream and being able to support my family while doing somthing I would love. I literally forget that I will be getting paid for being a nurse when I daydream about working. I guess I though I would grow out of my Learning Disability:rolleyes:.

I truly feel ashamed for needing to ask for help and I feel that I will be treated as I always have; A burden. I know for a fact that I can perform as well as anyone in the classes and clinicals, all i'm asking for is the chance to do so.

Specializes in Psych.

hlr, she needs to realize this is not about her comfort level. It's about your rights. If you have the documentation from your psychologist that you have LD, please go to your school's Student Support Services or whatever they call it there for the LD/Disabled students and talk to an advisor or director. THEY know the law. Nursing dept isn't playing nice. Don't expect them to. I know we are starting to talk about money when we talk lawyers, but you might have to slap down some money for a lawyer to draw something up for discriminating against you. Before you do that, go to EVERYONE you can possibly go to in the college, and if you keep getting NO's, let them know you will see a lawyer, but back it up.

Well, that is the thing, this woman is over the student support services. Shes the one supposed to be helping me, but instead shes trying to hold my head under water. She has also been ignoring my attempts to contact her for the past three weeks (all meetings must be scheduled ahead of time). I fully intend on seeking legal advice if I keep getting blown off and just expected to go away like a case of the sniffles.

Specializes in Psych.

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! I didn't realize this flippin' fool was from support services! WOW! Off to Legal you go! I'm really sorry.

Before that, though, I would go to the main college, whoever is above her. SOMEONE is above her.

GOOD luck!:up:

yeah, I should have clarified that earlier on. But she was supposed to be working along side the nursing department in order to see if I could retest for the TEAS with my accommodations and both of the people from the different departments have just stopped corresponding with me at all. I think they just really don't know how to deal with my situation because she said " the dilemma is that one of the requirements for the nursing program is that you be able to solve problems without the use of a calculator". My first cousin is the director of surgery at a major hospital and he has even told me that there isn't a nurse on his floor that don't do their dosages without a calculator and even then they get another nurse to look over the calculations for accuracy sake. So they can't play the whole 'a calculator in the work place isn't practical' bit. I just can't believe I'm being held back not because of my grades, but because of the same thing I've had to deal with my entire elementary, middle, and high school career....

Alright guys, I figure it is time for an update. I have fought with my current college for about a year over this problem. I finally came to an agreement with admissions that I could take my TEAS exam at another college with my accommodations. Well, I took it...... this time I PASSED! with well above what was required.

Here comes the kicker. I have all of my supplemental classes squared away and then some; to sum it up, I have a 3.7 GPA, passed my entrance exam, and have all prerequisites and all of the classes that go along with the program done other than the core nursing classes. I get a letter saying that I should retake the test at THEIR college to better my chances of admission..... I know for a fact that they have let people in that have the minimum 2.5 gpa, barely passed the TEAS and have NO supplemental classes done. I was told BY THE DEAN OF THE PROGRAM that " due to the fact that accommodations aren't allowed on the NCLEX, I am not going to admit you to the program to fill a slot" and that " there are no accommodations when someone is in the ER dying; if it was one of your family members, you'd understand." they never had any intentions of letting me into the program because they fully expected me to fail and go away like a case of the sniffles

I promptly wrote a letter to the president of the college stating the facts: I had a psych evaluation at my own expense to get an official diagnosis, I went to a different college (which they referred me to) to take my TEAS exam (Which they had set up for me in ONE DAY; why the hell it takes the college i'm currently at a year to do anything resembling progress is beyond me), I passed and exceeded the requirements on the entrance exam, proved through a PDF from the manufacturers of the NCLEX that they DO allow accommodations, have all of my classes taken with the exception of the actual nursing classes, and have a well-above minimum GPA and that I would pursue legal action if nothing is done based on the fact that this is blatant discrimination.

Needless to say, they are going to reevaluate my case and carefully consider my admission to the program this May!

That is not true! You can have accommodation for the NCLEX!!! don't let any one tell you different.

You're going through a real trial by fire, aren't you? Nursing will be lucky to have you when you come out on the other side of this.

I know this is an older post but I think it's an important reminder to nursing programs/schools and to student with learning disabilities that you have rights protected under the Civil Liberties Act as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act. If for some reason your school won't cooperate with you, don't worry about a lawyer, simply go to the US Department of Education website and fill out their online complaint form. Someone will contact you and they will help you get it done. Of course, it is much quicker to work with your school faculty, but when the "big guys" aren't willing to listen/assist that is what the US Dept. of Ed. is for. I had to request their services too due to a similar issue and after some long mediation phone calls with a legal mediator from the Dept. of Ed. office and her actually flying down to my university to meet with me and the university president, we got things straightened away.

Never give up and NEVER surrender. If you know you are meant to do this, nothing will stop you. The field of nursing and medicine need more people like you!

Hi, I to have a LD I have been out of school for awhile I'm 30 the school I go to is helpful but when I met with student support she told me my IEP if to old I need to get a need one. All my per req. are done got all A but in chemistry I got a c+ I have a great GPA. I took the teas v just to see how it was didnt really study I got a 48.7 I need a 58.7 or 68.7 for the programs do u guys think a 48.7 is bad? Also what type of test do I need to get to receive extra time and a quiet room or could I get a letter from a social worker or psychologist etc. also I already have a college degree in programming and I took a CNA program I have my CNA lisense to.

Any help on what I need to do would be great not sure how to get the extra time for nursing school and when I have to take the nclex

to the posters how did you learn in science classes with having a learning disability?

I literally forget that I will be getting paid for being a nurse when I daydream about working."

This thinking reflects a fantasy of the real world of nursing. Nursing is hard, brutal physical work. it is emotionally

and physically exhausting.

You feel you would test better in a quiet environment.

There is no such thing as a quiet environment in nursing. You are bombarded with alarms, patient , family and doctor demands... and need to switch focus on a dime. Your math calculations MUST be fast and precise.

You won't receive any help from :academic advisors, backers, lawmakers,etc. when you are running around a fast paced unit with a crashing patient.

Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

Awwww don't feel ashamed! I am LD as well and I'm really just starting to truly learn about it now, in my adult life. I'm not even sure of the name of it but it has to do with visual/spacial difficulties. I have a hellll of a time in math but I excel in English.

What i've had to do is just say "Ya know what, this is NOT my fault, I did NOT do this to myself" It takes me awhile to grasp different concepts when it comes to math, but I am absolutley capable and so are you! Use whatever resources you have available to you and don't be afraid to ask for help. I've found that by re-learning some of the basics I have an easier time with the more advanced stuff.

Anywyas, I just wanted to say you aren't alone, you can totally do it and don't give up!

Just noticed this is an ancient thread.....oops

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