Middle-Aged Nurse with Dyspraxia in Need of Advice

[Dyspraxic Nurse]

I am a 56 year old mental health nurse in the Canadian province of Quebec. I was fired last week and cannot afford to retire yet.

I have always been clumsy and very slow at everything (except when answering multiple choice, true or false and short answer questions on exams).

That's part of the reason I chose psychiatric/mental health nursing. I have always had to spend at least two extra hours at work, to complete my shift.

I was recently diagnosed with dyspraxia (developmental coordination disorder), which accounts for most of the difficulties I have had for most of my life.

In addition, the idiopathic hypersomnia that I also suffer from has worsened over the years and has prevented me from spending enough extra time at work to avoid falling behind.

I have a BSN and an MPH, among other degrees. I have always chosen nursing positions below my level of education because I knew that my slowness would prevent me from being able to handle the extra work that increased responsibility would bring.

In Canada and the United States, there is very little support for people with dyspraxia, in general, and even less for adults with dyspraxia.

I would like to find a part-time job that I could do full-time to support myself until I can retire with financial security.

However, how do I convince a potential employer to give me an interview, let alone a job?

I hope some of you can give me some sound advice.

With my sincere thanks.

P.S. Here are some links to writings and videos on dyspraxia and other neurodiversities:

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/what-is-dyspraxia/

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/about-us/blog/dyspraxia-a-history/

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/about-us/blog/common-dyspraxia-symptoms-in-adults/

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/about-us/blog/dyspraxia-in-adults/

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/candidates/workplace-needs-assessments/dyspraxia/

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/employers/neurodiversity-workshops-uk/

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/employers/neurodiversity-workshops-uk/dyspraxia-workshops/

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/jobs-for-people-with-dyspraxia/

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/employers/neurodiverse-recruitment-uk/dyspraxia/

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/candidates/neurodiversity-resources/neurodiversity-quizzes/

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/about-us/blog/how-to-get-tested-for-dyspraxia/

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/what-is-dyspraxia/

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/about-us/blog/what-is-dyspraxia-2/

https://youtu.be/ISp940MS_1k

https://youtu.be/4-ZPD3nuZdg

https://youtu.be/Jm5Wjscx5FY

https://youtu.be/2A94qviJOPg

https://youtu.be/kQMUc1ivZeo

https://youtu.be/dZrPoRsss4M

https://youtu.be/JcpN7wLmhOY

https://youtu.be/Tr6jKTN-_CQ

https://youtu.be/t5W9vrpxgHA

https://youtu.be/1iAs627Mnuc

https://youtu.be/O0T1MKh2JiM

https://youtu.be/nMsGMOXM3AQ

https://youtu.be/HC2s4xTgXJ0

https://youtu.be/6a5zF6GKJxY

https://youtu.be/19yYmKA51zU

https://youtu.be/9SFMYEiLgnE

https://youtu.be/-VfvwRaqBe4

https://youtu.be/aPuQ1WmW-eE

https://youtu.be/vJrarYyK1XA

https://youtu.be/goienTAeSJo

https://youtu.be/v--ST9_wVtw

https://youtu.be/OF-nFfaOK64

https://youtu.be/cuZ7uPa0fsY

https://youtu.be/OEDMN7Pdx6E

https://youtu.be/ISp940MS_1k

https://youtu.be/zCUqneWjLjA

 

 

 

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Americans with Disabilities and Job Applicants 

I apologize that I'm not familiar enough with Canada and their employment practices. In the US we have the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Is there something like this in Canada?

 

 

[Dyspraxic Nurse]

Hello,

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, in Canada, employers are not allowed to discriminate in theory. However, in the province of Quebec, at least, discrimination due to disability, or even past illnesses, is very difficult to prove.

Moreover, as I was fired, I don't see how can find a new nursing position, even if an prospective employer were willing and able to provide accommodations.