Being a nurse with a stutter

[nursingapplicant92]

Hi everyone, I've just been accepted into a second entry nursing program for this September. However, I'm hesitant of taking the offer because I feel like my stutter can be quite of an annoyance and make the job even more stressful.

I was wondering if anyone can provide me with some of their thoughts on whether or not it's a good idea to purse nursing with this type of disability? I know communication skills are vital in nursing. I also want to add that my stutter is more on the moderate side and that I don't necessarily stutter on every word.

In addition, it would be great to hear some feedback from current practicing nurses who have stutters and how they have coped with it.

[Dany102]

Hello,

Stuttering can be embarrassing and stressful at times. But I have known - and worked with - a few persons who had stutters and I can say that they managed to do well most of the time. I do not know if you have in the past, or are still, working with any speech specialists but I was told by a friend (who himself stutters) that there are strategies you can use to help with stuttering. His trick was rehearsing and planning ahead of time what he would say. Obviously, it doesn't work all the time because conversations are by nature fluid and unscripted but for short talks, it seemed to work for him.

You may find yourself having to explain your own expectations to coworkers and, in some cases, patients. This same friend confided to me that he really hated when people tried to finish words or sentences for him. So I learned to keep my mouth shut and let him work it through. Perhaps your biggest hurdle will be to deal with the odd idiot who will not understand that having a stutter does not mean slow or having any intellectual deficiency.

You will be put in uncomfortable situations, there is no denying that, but I can't think of any reasons you shouldn't become a nurse. Best of luck to you.

Dany

[nursingapplicant92]

Thank you so much for your reply Dany! I also want to inquire if there are nursing settings that require less oral communication compared to others? With that being said, I would love to hear more of your responses allnurses!

[adamRn79, BSN, RN]

I think if you were up front with your coworkers and patients, they'd be more than understanding.