Any advice for a student nurse with dyslexia and other LD's?

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

Any advice for a student nurse with dyslexia and other LD's?

I work as a CNA currently and in January 2008 I will be starting my clinicals for my ASN. I was hoping that anyone might have some insight or even know of resources I could use. I generally don't tell people because I think it can give the wrong impression but I am ADD and dyslexic I know that many of my strengths are because of the fact that I am dyslexic and that is just the way I am. However academically it has always proven to be somewhat of a difficulty I have different techniques that I use to get through my classes but I am scared about my clinicals (this is partly why it has taken me so long to get into a nursing program). My teachers are very helpful but, I was wondering if others that have similar difficulties that might have some suggestions or even web-sites that I could go to.

Thank you! :wink2:

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I commend you on furthering your education and not letting a LD stand in your way!! :D I don't have any better advice than to pray to GOD, he works in mysterious ways, and study hard. I wish you the best of luck. Keep us updated!

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

Thanks thats actually probably the best advice.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

Hello everyone! Well I did some research and I found a few websites that were helpful to me. I thought I should post them for any one else that may be looking for the same info. Most of the sites are from the UK but, the information in interesting. Thanks for reading my post and I hope this helps.

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/nursing/sonet/rlos/placs/dyslexia1/index.html

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/teaching/resources/methods/practicals/dyspelst681/

http://www.david-j-wright.staff.shef.ac.uk/HCP-disability/dyslexia/Papers/stdguid.pdf

http://www.scips.worc.ac.uk/subjects_and_disabilities/nursing/nursing_dyslexia.html

http://www.exceptionalnurse.com/

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Any advice for a student nurse with dyslexia and other LD’s?

I work as a CNA currently and in January 2008 I will be starting my clinicals for my ASN. I was hoping that anyone might have some insight or even know of resources I could use. I generally don’t tell people because I think it can give the wrong impression but I am ADD and dyslexic I know that many of my strengths are because of the fact that I am dyslexic and that is just the way I am. However academically it has always proven to be somewhat of a difficulty I have different techniques that I use to get through my classes but I am scared about my clinicals (this is partly why it has taken me so long to get into a nursing program). My teachers are very helpful but, I was wondering if others that have similar difficulties that might have some suggestions or even web-sites that I could go to.

Thank you! :wink2:

Do you receive assistance through your "Students with Disabilities" services at your college? If not go check it out, you may qualify if you have medical documentation for your condition ;)

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

I already receive accommodations. I guess I was just curios if any one had personal experience or advice. I know everyone is nervous about starting clinicals and not just me. I was hoping people might have suggestions for how they adapted or worked around their disability or others.

Thanks!

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Specializes in OB, NP, Nurse Educator.

I am an instructor who has worked with nursing students who needed accomodations for LD's. My best advice to you is be prepared every day for class and never get behind. If you need a note taker, or need to record the class make sure it is done from day one. Ask questions when you do not understand something.

As far as clinical - you will have to use great care when reading MAR's, and you may have trouble charting. If you write out nursing notes in long hand then you may need an electronic spell checker that includes medical vocabulary.

Hopefully your teachers will work with you - after all you are paying them to teach you, not fail you.

Good luck to you.

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Specializes in M/S/Ortho/Bari/ED.

I found myself being extra careful and double and triple checking everything to make sure I had read it correctly. Probably good advice for anybody regardless of LD.

I also created my own personal document checklist of tasks I needed to complete and times I needed to have them done by and would check the box so that I would not forget anything.

I always carried (and still do) a green highlighter with me, as that is supposedly the best color to help remember things.

The other big challenge I had was constantly putting my papers down and not being able to find them, then spending an hour trying to track them down. I handled this by bringing a 3 ring binder to clinicals with me and hole punching my papers and putting them in the notebook. I just had to remember to clean it out at the end of each shift to avoid taking someone's private info out of the hospital. (HIPPA violation).

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

Thank you Puggymae and Anjann! Those tips will be very helpful for me and anyone else who might read them. I especially like the 3 ring binder idea. I can't wait till I start clinicals but, I want to be as prepared as possible.

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hey there i have disphonic dyslexia...

schools rough... ive been trying to do it without the help due to some issues in high school my advisor told me not to bother with college cuz i wouldnt make it.. yet im trying.

but im glad to know there are other people with LD out there in nursing too... for awhile i didnt know if i could handle it!

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

Thanks for posting. I am glad to know that I am not the only one too! I know what you mean about being told to not to bother. I was told to find a nice easy secretary job for the rest of my life.....boring...... I tried with out accommodations but, I wanted to be reevaluated and get accommodations based on my weakest areas. It has really made a difference and I found out that I am actually really smart.

I think your adviser is wrong and should be more informed of learning disabilities. Have you thought about seeking accommodations again? You should be protected by ADA and it cant be held against you. Although you should be careful I have come across some mean postings about students with LD's on this site. It cause they don't understand. I have found some sites that suggest nurses with Dyslexia are more capable of applying a holistic practice to nurses.

So what program are you in? Maybe we can share advice for each other.

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:) bah ive been through all the mean garbage...

the funny thing is there are alot of famous dyslexics

Actors & Entertainers:

Artists, Designers, & Architects:

Athletes:

Entrepreneurs & Business Leaders:

Filmmakers:

Inventors & Scientists:

Law & Justice:

Military Heroes:

Musicians & Vocalists:

Physicians & Surgeons

Political Leaders:

Writers:

theres a short list :p

i say screw you to people who say you cant.

i just pretty much study harder... im a very visual learner. but i cant spell to save my soul sometimes so i have learned to recheck and ask ppl to check my stuff too.

note cards dont help me.

what do you mean what program?

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