Blind Nursing Student?

[tonicareer]

I have been reading articles about a blind nursing student admitted to a CC in New York. Now here it is nearly impossible to get into nursing school. They have a whole list of health and physical requirements as well. Even someone who is color blind wouldn't be admitted. So how did she pass the state requirements for admission? Also I wonder if she gets financial aid from Federal or State sources? I just don't understand this at all.

[Nikki730]

Me neither. Medicine packages don't come in braille. How can she do assessments? Safely transfer patients? Give shots?

What exactly would she be doing? Phone triage, maybe?

[suzanne4, RN]

There are actually blind physicians, too. Just because someone is blind doesn't mean that they can't be a nurse. There are many different areas that they can work in.

Same way that there are nurses in wheelchairs..............

[RedSox33RN]

I had a blind diabetes nurse educator once. Not only was she great at her job, but helpful to the diabetics with eye/blindness problems who can't see medicine labels, food labels, etc. She had lots of great tricks and assistive devices.

I researched the Americans with Disabilities Act when I was looking at nursing for a profession. I wanted to make sure my diabetes wouldn't prevent me from going to school or getting hired somewhere, and that I had the opportunity to eat/check my blood sugar when necessary. I don't expect a surgery to halt so I can check my blood sugar - it's my responsibility to take steps to prevent a high/low when I may not be able to check or eat for a while, but I wanted to know that even with my "hidden" disease, I wouldn't be discriminated against.

[KaroSnowQueen, RN]

I can see someone who has been a nurse, becoming blind from an illness/accident, being able to continue their career. That I have no problem with. They could go into education, management, etc.

But how is a blind student going to pass basic nursing? She cannot assess skin color, color of body fluids, see the meds, chart on paper or computer without (I presume) some sort of special assistance, etc. I just don't see how she will pass the basics, let alone progress thru clinicals and physical assessments, etc.

[z's playa]

There are actually blind physicians, too. Just because someone is blind doesn't mean that they can't be a nurse. There are many different areas that they can work in.

Same way that there are nurses in wheelchairs..............

I understand but how on earth do they go through clinicals? Maybe they admitted her and think she'll realize her limitations on her own after a while. I'm in no way saying the handicapped are helpless, I'm just stating the obvious.

[bowloforanges]

I'm beginning my pre-req classes in the fall and I am considered legally blind. You can get confirmation through the state and they will pay all your schooling expenses by just giving you a piece of paper to take to the business office. The most you'll have to pay is 50-100 dollars.

[cmw6v8]

Also I think a lot of schools will formulate a special education plan for students with disabilities...she may have different assignments and different clinical rotations where she can learn skills appropriate for her abilities. Obviously there's a lot you can do as an RN other than work at the bedside...as long as she learns the material and can pass the NCLEX, she can probably do a lot of things.

[Donald11]

I'm beginning my pre-req classes in the fall and I am considered legally blind. You can get confirmation through the state and they will pay all your schooling expenses by just giving you a piece of paper to take to the business office. The most you'll have to pay is 50-100 dollars.

So how did you type the above statement and read what everyone has wrote on this thread? Did you LIE to the state?

[cmw6v8]

Wow, you know there is all kinds of technology out there to assist blind people with using computers. Feel those little bumps on the F and J keys on your keyboard? And that's just for starters...there's no reason to assume that just because someone is considered legally blind that they cannot use a computer.

[Donald11]

Wow, you know there is all kinds of technology out there to assist blind people with using computers. Feel those little bumps on the F and J keys on your keyboard? And that's just for starters...there's no reason to assume that just because someone is considered legally blind that they cannot use a computer.

I am not aware of any technology that would read something typed on this forum out loud to a blind person. If someone can read this forum, then they are not blind.

[pebbles, BSN, RN]

Amazon.com: The Doctor Will Not See You Now (9782895072430): Jane Poulson, John

I read this book a year or so ago and found it very interesting and enjoyable. Yes, this doctor must have some help from others to assess her patients. But she is absolutely the one doing the doctoring!