Paraplegia and nursing

[PopeJane3rd]

I have a paraplegic friend who would like to study nursing. Will he be denied the opportunity to study you think? He is paralyzed from the waist down.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

How would he practice nursing without the use of his legs?

[ky_grl82]

I would think there would be some other opportunities other than bedside nursing. Something that doesn't require the use of legs... research nursing maybe?

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

He would have a very difficult time getting through clinicals in nursing school, I think.

[Nascar nurse, ASN, RN]

Most positions that are not at the bedside require some experience with bedside nursing. And there are those clinicals to pass before you even can get a job

[johwiklundRN]

I believe it could be done. It would just be extra challenging. And as stated previously, Registered Nurses are trained need to be trained in a huge number of complicated physical skills and abilities. I am not saying it couldn't be done, Just that I've never seen it. good luck to your friend.

[RunningRNBSN]

I am kind of suprised by the responses on here. Have your friend absolutely visit a program of nursing to speak with someone. I am pretty sure disability laws prevent schools from not admitting your friend based on his disability. The school would have to make accomodations and perhaps think of creative ways to get his clinicals done.

I once worked with a blind woman who was able to get her law degree and a few years back I read of a blind man who completed medical school. Anything is possible!

[roser13, ASN, RN]

I am kind of suprised by the responses on here. Have your friend absolutely visit a program of nursing to speak with someone. I am pretty sure disability laws prevent schools from not admitting your friend based on his disability. The school would have to make accomodations and perhaps think of creative ways to get his clinicals done.

I once worked with a blind woman who was able to get her law degree and a few years back I read of a blind man who completed medical school. Anything is possible!

Absolute inability to perform the majority of the physical functions of the job differs greatly from being unable to perform a few functions (blindness/reading, for example). Once a blind person obtains the necessary assist, he/she can perform the functions of the position. A paraplegic nurse could not ever participate in bedside functions involving bathing, turning, cleaning, etc. The bed does not go low enough. How would a paraplegic nurse participate in a code? Push a cart? Safely assist a patient in ambulation?

If a nursing school rejects a candidate that cannot perform the basic functions of the schooling process (clinicals) let alone the actual profession, I would consider that a factual rejection based on reality, not discrimination. And I would consider it a kindness to the applicant.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

There is nurse with SCI on staff at the Craig hospital, maybe your friend can contact the Craig for information on how she was able to complete the clinical aspects of nursing school.

dishes

[RunningRNBSN]

Absolute inability to perform the majority of the physical functions of the job differs greatly from being unable to perform a few functions (blindness/reading, for example). Once a blind person obtains the necessary assist, he/she can perform the functions of the position. A paraplegic nurse could not ever participate in bedside functions involving bathing, turning, cleaning, etc. The bed does not go low enough. How would a paraplegic nurse participate in a code? Push a cart? Safely assist a patient in ambulation?

If a nursing school rejects a candidate that cannot perform the basic functions of the schooling process (clinicals) let alone the actual profession, I would consider that a factual rejection based on reality, not discrimination. And I would consider it a kindness to the applicant.

Nursing is not just bedside nursing -- nursing encompasses far more than that! Nursing is very broad and it has room for someone who is disabled.

Think outside of the box....

[Liddle Noodnik]

There's a first time for everything, and every bit of progress has been because someone asked the question, "Why Not?" I would suggest if this person is on disability that they contact the Vocational Rehabilitation folks (I believe this is federal but nto sure. Have them call 211 information) and ask how to proceed.

Also try http://www.dralegal.org/, they might be able to suggest something.

KUDOS to your friend and kudos to you

[roser13, ASN, RN]

"Think outside of the box...."

OK, if you will agree to do the same. We have become so accustomed in this country to crying "No fair!" or "Discrimination" that we often don't use common sense.

It is absolute common sense that a person without use of their legs would find a sedentary career much more rewarding and obtainable than a career that is based in large part on physically demanding and physically specific duties.

Are there nursing positions that do not require use of the legs? Of course there are. And the majority of those positions are available to those who have years of experience in basic nursing duties, thus qualifying them for the position.