Dexterity Issues/Issues with Learning Skills

[purplegal]

These questions are based off on people that I have known through nursing school:

1. Is it possible for someone who has problems with dexterity and learning new skills to eventually become a nurse?

2. If someone was taught how to take a blood pressure four or five years ago, and still struggles with even getting the blood pressure cuff on tightly, is that a sign that person should look for a career elsewhere, or are there some tips for teaching this person how to successfully take blood pressures?

3. Same with taking blood glucoses...I know someone that has to poke a patient's finger multiple times before they are able to obtain a blood glucose. Do you think this person will eventually be able to take blood glucoses more efficiently?

4. How fast should one be able to learn how to properly prime an IV line and hang an IV bag? Although seemingly easy for natural nurses, is this something a person who, after many attempts and still struggles with it, can eventually learn?

Obviously having good dexterity and the ability to learn new skills quickly is advantageous, but do you think any of the people mentioned above will be able to become nurses as well?

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

I would leave those things to the student's instructor or career counselor, possibly with some input from the student's health care provider. I can't think of any good reason why I would involve myself, so I find myself wondering what your motivation is for asking these questions.

[purplegal]

I would leave those things to the student's instructor or career counselor, possibly with some input from the student's health care provider. I can't think of any good reason why I would involve myself, so I find myself wondering what your motivation is for asking these questions.

The reason I'm asking is several of them have been encouraged to find careers outside of nursing, or aspects of nursing that don't involve hands-on patient care, like research. But, these people have the heart and compassion to be a nurse, even more so than some people whose clinical skills are superb, so I was just wondering if there was any hope for them to succeed at the career they so desire.

[Cowboyardee]

I tend to think that if someone has the dexterity to type adequately, they have the dexterity to learn to complete most nursing tasks efficiently. Which is to say nothing of some of the nursing positions that don't really involve priming IV tubing, drawing blood, placing IVs and foleys, etc.

There are some disabilities that might cause a more serious barrier, but I would expect these to have wide-ranging implications for their daily lives, not just nursing tasks. And some chronic injuries can cause real problems. But most of the time, I think it's just a matter of practicing a whole lot and not avoiding some task or another just because the RN in question finds it difficult. If it takes a little more practice for some than for others, so what? Most new nurses and nursing students are all thumbs.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

@purplegal, what if you were teaching a patient how to do self blood glucose checks and it took the patient several times before they were able to obtain the blood glucose, do you think that patient would eventually be able to take blood glucoses efficiently? What steps could you take to build the patient's confidence in their ability to master the skill?