Visually impaired nurses/ legally blind nurses

[MTtoBSN]

Hi everyone,

I am a new nursing student, and I was born with albinism. My eyesight is about 20/200 (maybe a tiny bit better), but basically legally blind. I was never raised to be "disabled" and have continued to overcome obstacles in my life (functioning in daily life, and even driving) with minor adaptations. I was just wondering if there are any other nurses out there in similar situations, or know of any nurses who are in a similar situation who could provide insight on what specialties are better suited for this type of situation, what adaptations are found to be helpful in nursing for the visually impaired, or any other special information that I should know about.

I guess my problem sometimes is that I can forget that I am "disabled". I haven't started any of my clinical rotations yet, but I imagine I would like ICU, mental health, oncology, cardiology, or maybe even ED. Does this seem unrealistic? I've always been good at finding ways to adapt, like using magnifiers, apps on my phone, bioptic glasses for driving. At the same time, I don't want to get in over my head and put a patient's life in danger just because I want to follow my dreams. I've been a great massage therapist for almost 7 years, but that really depends more on touch than sight, so I don't have too much of a frame of reference.

Any input would be appreciated, thanks guys!

[martinamettes]

Thank you, all the nurses that have left encouraging comments with real experience for visually impaired people. I am 52 and always wanted to be a nurse but have always been discouraged because my vision is impaired and with only one eye. I finally have started to go to school and hope with all my heart to be a great nurse for the rest of my life. Thank you for posting your experieinces. They have really inspired and encouraged me!

Martina

[MTtoBSN]

OCNRN63, I apologize, I wasn't very clear in my initial post. It isn't that I think optometry in it's entirety is not a science, however, their main measurement of what someone's visual acuity is, is in my opinion, extremely flawed and subjective. What I see at 20 feet is how an average person sees at 200 feet? What does that even mean??? (I obviously know what it means, but I'm just making a point that it is higy subjective and non-scientific). I mean, how is someone supposed to determine my functional ability to see by simply asking me to read some letters off of a snellen chart (or some variation of). I have even read research recently that seeks to identify new ways of testing for functional visual acuity to "replace the antequated standards currently in use".

I'm sorry, that was a bit of a rant, I'm not trying to offend or be confrontational. I guess I just get stirred up by labels that don't actually portray a person's functional ability.

[MTtoBSN]

I know this is an old post, but I appreciate everyone's response. As an update, I am about to graduate my BSN program (all I have is capstone left) and I am excited to get out into the field.

For the most part, I have been able to perform at or above the level of my peers in the clinical environment. I attribute any of my shortcomings to lack of experience, and for the most part, my vision hasn't had much of a negative impact on my performance.

the only real drawback is that it takes me a tiny bit longer to read things, and I may occasionally require just a tiny bit more one-on-one time when learning a new procedure just to be certain I can safely and competently perform it.

I still think ER would be cools, but since I am unsure if I can keep up with the pace associated with critical patients, I think I'm going to start a new-grad residency on a medsurg floor at one of the nearby hospitals I really like.

[dedicatedtohealth]

Hi everyone,

I am a new BSN grad who is legally blind in one eye. Is it possible to be hired as a nurse. I am so afraid of the rejection i may receive from employers during a new employee physical. Am i overthinking? What are some of the areas i can work in with this impairment?

[MTtoBSN]

How did you feeel in clinicals? Did you feel really uncomfortable? If you made it this far, something tells me fhat you will be okay. I am legally blind in both eyes and have been since birth. I have always fiund a way of adapting on my own, and Thiugh I've encountered challenges, the only thing I truly could not do was draw up tiny amounts in small syringes that I've only encountered once in my pediatric rotation in school.

i just got a job on a medsurg floor so we'll see how it goes. It would be a good idea to identify things thar give you trouble and finding ways of adapting. For example, I have a hard time reading small text so I carry a pocket magnifier that works great. I also use surgical loupes for charting and physical assessments (they give me a normal working disrance so I don't have to be so close and up in the patient's face to assess them).

[jobellestarr]

I've been a nurse for 35 years and have lazy eye and only have vision in one eye. I've never had a problem with any work environment. The only thing I've noticed is that I have bad depth perception and I tend to run in to things on my affected side. But my coworkers all know about it and we laugh about it. I've never seen myself as disabled.

[gondorian9007]

MTtoBSN, BSN, Hello I too am an albino with 20/200 vision (with correction). I currently am thinking of going for my CNA and wanted to pick you brain, if possible, with a few questions of my own. How do you successfully deal with taking blood pressure? During my qualification tests i will have to accurately take blood pressure using a aneroid sphygmomanometer; did you use a magnifier? if so what kind? Do you use bioptic glasses or anything of that nature? Do you use a special large print watch when you take vital signs? Thanks for you time.

[Currcat621211]

I too have poor vision. I'm going into mental health nursing and couldn't be more excited. I hope everyone on this thread is having some great experiences! :)

[nfsaleem]

Hi @MitoBSN

I have albinism as well and I too, am legally blind. I am interested in becoming a nurse and seeing your post has given me hope. I know this is kind of awkward, but is there a way I can contact you to ask some questions about nursing? I would really appreciate it.

I wish you all the best.

[MTtoBSN]

1. For blood pressure, I use surgical loupes. Unfortunately these are about as expensive as bioptics but are different enough that you can't use bioptics instead. You see, surgical loupes are for short ranges like seeing things about a foot and a half away. Bioptic scopes are long range like binoculars, to see a couple hundred feet away. Another option is to use the big standing sphygmomanometer, my nursing school had one, and I've seen them on the nursing unit in the hospital as well. These are my 2 work-arounds for that so far, I hope that helps.

2. I do use a larger print watch that I found at the center for the visually impaired

3. I'm so happy to have provided that hope. I will be frank, nursing is a very challenging profession, and isn't always like how it's romanticised on the johnson-johnson nurse's week commercials. In some cases, the vision can add an additional challenge on top of that (not that often in my experience, but it depends on your adaptability, and your ability to create your own workarounds ). I would be happy to answer any questions you have. You can PM me for more info.

4. Just a little update about me... I left the hospital and have 't looked back. I found the nursing unit to be too stressful for me (almost none of it involved eyesight). It's just the nature of the job. Many of my coworkers who were also part of my new-grad cohort at the time had left as well. I landed an excellent opportunity in an unlikely place (for me). I'm now a nuesing supervisor for a home health agency. I NEVER thought I would like home health as much as I do and being a supervisor is a good new challenge.

ALSO... my wife and I have a youtube channel if you guys would like to learn a little more. We BOTH have albinism, and our goal is to inspire and entertain others with albinism. Side note: no one knows I'm a nurse yet. We haven't covered what we do for work yet, so don't spoil the surprise for the other viewers please! It'll be our little secret . Our channel name is AshleyMatt720. So, search us on youtube and check us out.

In the meantime, you can post any other questions here or PM me as well.

[linfruiz]

Hello,

Wanted to be a part of this conversation, not only to applaud her for her admission but also to congratulate her on her breviary I am also vision impaired, I have perusedyou a Medical assistant diploma, a CNA state license and also my CPR. Unfortunately, with all that under my belt ,I have never attempted to become a NURSE, which I regret..

[HD1979]

Hey guys... I know Im super late on this post, but I was born with Retinoschesis, Its a rare degenerative retina disease. My vision is currently 20/80 20/100 in the other eye. Corrected, its around 20/60 to 20/80. My condition makes it hard for me to see the sharpness of writing or facial recognition at a distance. I struggle to see things up close and far away, and it takes me a little longer than most, but I am an excellent nurse, and am currently one of the main medical nurses at the correctional facility in which I work. Having said that, every day is hard. I get made fun of, picked on, everyone and their smart *** comments " can you see that ? Are you close enuf? Things like highschool, but I have bills to pay. I have never let anyone deter me from doing what I want to do. Do any of you guys have any experience now with other jobs that require less visual acuity in the nursing field? Even jobs from home? Im looking for a change. Thanks and congratulations to you all for making it !