Nursing and Dyspraxia

Nurses Career Support

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I need some career advice.

I would like to be a nurse but I have Dyspraxia. It's not as severe as it could be, but at work it affects my short term memory, hand eye co-ordination and spatial awareness mainly. I'm already a care assistant.

I was wondering if it's possible for me to successfully become and work as a nurse as I worry about not being able to remember a lot of things at a time which I've heard nurses have to do.

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This would be a good reason to have a serious talk with your personal physician.

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I know, but I would like a nurses opinion.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

It depends on how serious/advanced your condition is. If it is extremely mild, you can probably compensate and succeed at some Nursing Jobs. If it very severe, then I think success is unlikely. Only you and your doctor know where you fall on that continuum.

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I have NVLD with short term memory, special awareness, directional, math, and clumsiness issues... and work in a NICU. I did not disclose to my boss, but am very self aware when it comes to my challenges. I request help if transferring a patient makes me nervous (because of special awareness/clumsiness, working around lines, ETT, etc), and always ask others to verify my med calculations. I write everything down. My department recently moved to an enormous, new facility, and it took me a few weeks to finally feel like I knew my way around, but I did it.

I think you shouldn't limit yourself because of your disability, but certainly understand challenges you face and don't be afraid to ask for help.

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