Getting through Nursing School with a Disability

Please be aware, that your personal medical issues may result in several challenges in gaining admission to and completing a nursing program, beyond the difficulties in class that you acknowledge already. As the first reply noted, objectively reconsidering your desire to become a nurse, in light of all the challenges to be overcome, is a necessity. That said, if you are prepared to address those challenges, you may find a way to achieve your goal.

Some greater obstacles beyond the problem of staying awake in class will require you to manage your symptoms in your clinical/ lab/ simulation experiences and testing or evaluations. Disability laws provide some protection by requiring reasonable accommodations of disability in academic settings. To ensure that you have the benefit of any accommodations possible, you’ll need to apply to your institution’s Disability Support Services office. The institution will need documentation of your medical conditions well in advance of the start of your nursing classes. The DSS office may be able to provide a number of classroom related accommodations, such as a scribe to take notes for you so you won’t miss content, up to extra time on exams. Unfortunately, accommodations for clinical experiences may not involve the DSS office.

You must also make sure that when your medical documentation of fitness to participate in clinical studies I s submitted to the program with your application, as required by the institution and the nursing program’s policy, that the doctor understands the physical requirements of the program and by certifying your fitness, is willing to detail your limitations in a positive way. Based on that documentation, you may need to explore ways to meet the program’s outcomes with your nursing faculty and clinical instructors. Patient safety is a primary concern for faculty and instructors, so please be certain that your condition is stable and well-managed before any accommodations are explored.

I hope these realistic insights into issues you must be prepared to address if you hope to gain admission to a nursing program and to complete it successfully do not discourage you. Although disabled nurses do find ways to practice nursing within personal limitations, a nursing program must be completed first. You may want to approach your goal by taking small manageable steps: e.g. attend a practical nurse program, become a LPN/ LVN, work a year or two, then enter a LPN-to-ADN program (possibly online), to reduce the number of semesters to a level of licensure and entry to a healthcare career.

You’ll find lots of encouragement and examples of disabled individuals who became nurses, as well as helpful organization(s) and information online through a basic search for “disabled nursing students”. Educating yourself about the challenges and potential solutions will prepare you to address the inevitable concerns you’ll encounter in institutional and nursing program admissions and policies. If you have the heart for a career helping others, you will find a path, if not in nursing, in another of the many associated healthcare occupations. Keep your goal in mind and avoid focusing on a title if your objective is to share your gifts by helping others!

hello, thank you for the wonderful explanation and the motivation for disabled nurses.  I was LPN since 2008, and I have a lot of clinical experience in the nursing home, home care setting, and rehabilitation for detox. Prior to this, I worked on the oncology floor, as well as the flote pool as CNA in the teaching Hospital. Now I injured my knee and back while I work as LPN. currently, I just finished my pr-request to become an RN.  I am just afraid and stressed how I can peruse my RN with accommodation. any suggestion, and what should I  do to go further.