Blind in one eye...can I still be a nurse

Published

Got accepted into nursing school last semester and will start fall of 2010. I am currently doing my core courses. Since it will take me awhile to get my ADN I decide to get my EMT certification. Well, I was told that I could not be an EMT because I am blind in one eye(I have no left eye) and do not have any depth perception. So before I continue on my journey and pay my way through college, will I be able to be a RN?

I can't help but wonder if the the people who would not let you be an EMT were violating the American's with disability's act.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice.

I knew a one armed nurse long ago. Don't let a disability get in the way of your goals.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am practically blind in one eye - and don't believe it when people say that you can't do things because you have no depth perception, the human body is amazingly resilient and I never have a problem judging spatial relationships - I have never been in a car accident (other than being rear-ended by someone else a couple times) and I will be 55 this year.

One question: How good is the vision in your remaining eye?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It is not bad. I had perfect vision in both eyes before my accident 15 years ago. Since then my vision has gotten worse over the years do to the additional strain on my one eye. I can not see far away...everything is blurry but with my glasses it's a perfect 20/20. I do not wear my glasses while sitting in front of the computer most times.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When I was doing my psych rotation there was one nurse who was missing one hand and she still was a practicing nurse,hence it wasnt the med-surg unit but still a specialty area of nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I can't help but wonder if the the people who would not let you be an EMT were violating the American's with disability's act.

from research Ihave done due to having one eye myself, having one eye is not a disability, unless the vision in the other eye is so bad you are clasiffied as leagally blind. I could be wrong but that is what i have understood

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

The only thing one eye would mess up would be depth perception and no peripheral vision on the affected side.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

Don't let anyone hold you back. You may find that some tasks are not easy for you due to the lack of depth perseption, but I am also sure that you will be able to find a way around it. Don't believe the person that said you'd never find work as an EMT either. I know plenty of EMT's that by pulbic standards probably are an amazement that they do their jobs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Subacute Rehab.

I worked with a nurse once who had only 3 fingers on each hand (birth defect). It actually took me a few weeks to notice, because it didn't hinder her at all...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know that this is an old post but had to respond. I had CA in my right eye 17 years ago. While I did retain my eye and all my vision except for the far right peripheral area, I did just fine. The eye was expected to last only 10 years, but...it has been 17. At my last physical, I was surprised to note that I have barely any vision in that eye! That just goes to show you how much my other eye compensated. Yes, I did get the job and no, it has never been an issue with my getting hired. The biggest drawback? When someone walks up to me quietly on my right side and I don't hear them til they speak, and they scare the heck out of me! Then we both laugh! Or if a patien/family member comes from behind on my right side and does not speak, I have had complaints to management that I was rude or did not respond to them. One word from me to explain about my vision, and that goes away and they understand. Don't let this stop you. It is not part of the application process and you don't have to disclose unless you require some special accomodations. Best of luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR.

there is a forum here called nurses with disabilities...check it out, you'll be pleasantly surprised to know of others facing similar situations.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
there is a forum here called nurses with disabilities...check it out, you'll be pleasantly surprised to know of others facing similar situations.

Thanks Marvie. Good info, but I never have considered myself disabled! lol, just a little 'visually impaired'! Bothersome but u get used to it.

By the way, you have an unusual name, I used to work with a Marvie in MDS in Illinois...wouldn't happen to be u would it?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion