Deaf Nursing?

Specialties Disabilities

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OK this actually came up on another forum where someone mentioned Deaf Nursing or Nursing for the Deaf, where a LPN or RN was needed for hire with Americal Sign Language skills for communication at a deaf facility of some sort. (Im not sure if it was a long term care facility with several deaf residents or if this was at a deaf community or deaf school.)

But anyway is it possible to have a deaf LPN/RN that works with deaf/hard of hearing patients or to ask for a nurse specifically to work with deaf/hoh patients with American Sign Language skills?

Just curious.......

Alcomedicism

I am glad to find this place.I've been wondering where my nursing profession leads me with my hearing problem.I am not employed yet,and still working on my license.Now my question here is this: What department in a hospital where you think would not be using much or rather will not require me to use a steth.Hoping I will be using a hearing aid.This worries me a lot,thinking I will be applying soon.I was even thinking what other areas in nursing that I can apply that my hearing will not pose a problem.But I supposed as soon as I can avail the hearing aid,everything will be heard normally.I just don't want to make my hearing problem a problem in getting a job.

I heard about electronic steth, but have'nt tried yet.Since I don't have nursing experience yet,aside from my hearing problem,this also is another point for me to think of. I hope somebody here have an idea what areas,what department that I can go for a job in nursing soon.

Thanks again,I have this place to turn to and get views which I thought, my biggest fear in landing a job.I really want to work in nursing field.

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Specializes in Home Health/PD.

Does your state have a deaf/blind school? VA does and they are advocates for the deaf/HOH population. They would probably love to have a nurse who is deaf/HOH on campus to serve as a role model for the children.

My nursing instructor was HOH in one ear after having an influenza infection. During clinicals, if she would have a hard time hearing something, she would place the ear piece of the steth behind her HOH ear. She said something about the vibrations helped her brain register it better, or something along those lines. I'm not sure if this would help anybody, but I just thought I would throw it out there.

I actually just started ASL classes and had my first class last night! It is very interesting! I chose to take it because I work with children on ventilators in the home and their speech therapits encourage them to sign, and I felt way behind on the whole thing because I wasn't with the same client all the time. I think any nurse who is willing to take ASL should, it is an amazing experiance and another way to communicate with people :loveya:

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Tele, Geri Psych.

let me mention I have just been rehired in the ER at my local hospital. that is where my nursing experience comes from prior to losing my hearing 4.5yrs ago. I do have a Auditory Brainstem Implant, but rely solely on lip reading. It took a lot of determination on my part to explain what I am still capable of and how my limitation can benefit others.

Whatever you do, don't give up. There are many uses for deaf/hoh nurses out there.

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Specializes in OR.

Alot of that paperwork would be reduced if someone knew sign language, Have you thought about taking a course? You never know when it could come in handy (no pun intended):D

A resident who came in one night when my son was in the hospital had a nifty stethescope that was hooked to a little box which was connected to an earpiece or something. The resident had a small jaw and low-set, malformed ears - obviously some kind of genetic syndrome for which I supposed hearing loss or deafness was a symptom. The special stethesscope she carried was either hooked to a hearing aid or choclear implant (sp). I was impressed that she had overcome such obstacles to become a physician.

I don't deal with deaf patients much, but the other day we had 2 deaf mothers on the postpartum unit at the same time. We went through a lot of tablet paper. LOL

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Specializes in Neuro, critical care.

I'm actually putting together a presentation for my clinical group about communication problems. The other day we had a patient that spoke Spanish and another that has sudden nerve deafness in the same room. It was interesting to see how everyone struggled with it for most of the day and how different approaches had to be taken. I was wondering if anyone knows some good resources on the subject. I'd appreciate being pointed in the right direction.

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I am learning ASL online, for those of you who are interested, there are some great online programs... Lifeprint.com is excellent, and FREE!! and there is another called WestwoodASL that is around $5 per module/lesson. I will be graduating with my RN in the spring, God willing! I should have finished school last spring, but actually failed the last semester. Major blow, but now I see that I was just not ready to graduate.

Anyway, I would love to hear from any nurses who work with the deaf and know ASL or are either deaf or HOH themselves, or from other ASL students. I understand that nursing jobs working with the deaf are probably not that numerous, and from what I have read, it is usually under the catagory of mental health nursing.

Please share your experiences or advice!

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