Disability and Nursing

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Curious to know -

Does anyone have a disability while pursuing their Nursing Degree?

If yes How did you overcome it?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.

not personally, but a good friend of mine has Adult ADD and they allow her to take her test in a separate building, in a special room, with no noise/distractions...she almost failed last semester due to having to take the test with the class, and this semester (which is way harder) she is doing much better...and she is awesome in clinical...apparently noise doesnt bother her there. (i think it is mostly test anxiety)

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Specializes in Pediatrics :).

Does your friend with ADD take Ritalin (or another such drug in that family?)? It can make a person hyper-aware of their surroundings and thus can be very frusterating if they are trying to concentrate. And possibly having test anxiety could only make matters worse. Personal experience :)

hbncns35...my advice to those with disabilities that are pursuing their nursing degrees is to: stick with it, find ways to learn-even if they're not conventional (be creative!), and never be afraid to ask for help. Most of all, don't let your disability control you, it is only one aspect of your life. Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
Does your friend with ADD take Ritalin (or another such drug in that family?)? It can make a person hyper-aware of their surroundings and thus can be very frusterating if they are trying to concentrate. And possibly having test anxiety could only make matters worse. Personal experience :)

i think she is on aderol (sp?)

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Check out http://exceptionalnurse.com/

A website for nurses with disabilities.

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I have Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. It causes me extreme pain and I'm in and out of the ER to get fluids and about once a year I'm in the hospital for a week. To answer a question in your OP, I haven't gotten over it. I can't seem to get well enough to even start clinicals. Plenty of people have told me that I need to choose a different career that doesn't require me to be there everyday no matter what. Honestly, there is nothing else I want to do. I want to be a nurse and work in neonatal ICU. Nothing else will satisfy me. I'm thinking of surgery to remove the colitis and accupuncture to help my Crohn's. Remicade, etc has not helped. I'm curious as to what other people think about this thread. Just because I am sick does not mean I can't be a great nurse. In fact, I find when I go to work as a CNA it takes my mind off of it. I'm thinking more of the pt. and not how I am feeling.

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Specializes in Transplant, homecare, hospice.
i think she is on aderol (sp?)

Adderall and that's in the Ritalin family. Took adderall. And Mellyone is right about these meds. Speaking from experience too.

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Most of all, don't let your disability control you, it is only one aspect of your life. Good luck!

I love that! It is absolutely true. I am more than just my disease.

Thank you!

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