Nursing Home will not accept deaf students into their CNA course

[Silent Prayer]

Nevermind disability law, I'd rather not learn from a biased group of audistic (prejudice against the deaf) of individuals. Well, Mrs. *****, I don't care if YOU don't think I can become a CNA, much less an RN. I will both and you can have a front row seat in the losers; circle to see me obtain both certifications / licenses.

Rant /

[aura_of_laura]

With that skill, I think that you certainly be the most efficient CNA or nurse on the floor.

[gmkj]

does it display bowel sounds, have you checked with nursing schools to see if they accept deaf students. I bet you can overcome this hurdle as I am sure you overcame many hurdles in your life so far.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I have other similar technologies. The only thing I can't get around is a patient screaming for me.

Sometimes i wish i couldn't hear that either

nothing grates my nerves quite like hearing "NURSE!! NURSE!!"

then i come in and say: "Can i help you with something?"

patient: "i need my (something clearly in reach). And another blanket, and a fresh pitcher of water - this one's been sitting here for an hour and can you get my son a food tray - it has to be vegan and kosher but he's allergic to soy."

seroiusly though - i'd love to see a stethoscope like that in action - it's fascinating!

[iNurseUK, RN]

I can see both sides of the debate and agree that some clinical areas may be suited to hearing-impaired nurses.

But how about hearing call bells, IV pump alarms, telemetry alarms? Or indeed patients who just call "Nurse!" There are also feed pump alarms, telephone calls and what about the emergency alarm?.

I am not saying these are insurmountable problems but surely they are significant? On night duty I rely on my hearing above all other senses to detect problems and assist patients.

[Silent Prayer]

does it display bowel sounds, have you checked with nursing schools to see if they accept deaf students. I bet you can overcome this hurdle as I am sure you overcame many hurdles in your life so far.

My nursing school, by law, must accept and accomodate me.

The stethoscope displays pulse, heart, ecg, bowel, lung, ekg, etc.

[Silent Prayer]

I can see both sides of the debate and agree that some clinical areas may be suited to hearing-impaired nurses.

But how about hearing call bells, IV pump alarms, telemetry alarms? Or indeed patients who just call "Nurse!" There are also feed pump alarms, telephone calls and what about the emergency alarm?.

I am not saying these are insurmountable problems but surely they are significant? On night duty I rely on my hearing above all other senses to detect problems and assist patients.

There are technologies that can me attached to the alarm system and vibrate for me. The only problem, as I hjave mentioned, is a patient calling out. That's it. The only problem.

[gmkj]

I would not worry to much. In my experiance in the nursing home were i work if they want your attention they will through whatever is handy at you like a bed pan,water pitcure..... Only Kidding. I hope you can work that out.

[iNurseUK, RN]

I concede your better knowledge but you would have grave difficulty with our antiquated systems here in the UK:)

Our IV pumps are one make, our feed pumps another. Our call system is so old I think Adam was a boy when it was installed. As for the telephones.....

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

I can see both sides of the debate and agree that some clinical areas may be suited to hearing-impaired nurses.

But how about hearing call bells, IV pump alarms, telemetry alarms? Or indeed patients who just call "Nurse!" There are also feed pump alarms, telephone calls and what about the emergency alarm?.

I am not saying these are insurmountable problems but surely they are significant? On night duty I rely on my hearing above all other senses to detect problems and assist patients.

Our monitor turns yellow if it's alarming. While you obviously can't look at the screen constantly, it's not like she's going to be the only nurse on the floor. We have lights on each end of the hall that turn on when a call light is going off, the main call light screen says what room number it is, and the light outside that door goes on. Our IV pumps also have flashing lights when they're alarming, which is obviously only helpful if you're in the room, but again, not the only nurse there.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

My nursing school, by law, must accept and accomodate me.

The stethoscope displays pulse, heart, ecg, bowel, lung, ekg, etc.

Your stethoscope displays an ekg? How is that done? Do you have a link to a website where we can see this? I think something like this has a lot of potential for even a hearing person.

[iNurseUK, RN]

Our monitor turns yellow if it's alarming. While you obviously can't look at the screen constantly, it's not like she's going to be the only nurse on the floor. We have lights on each end of the hall that turn on when a call light is going off, the main call light screen says what room number it is, and the light outside that door goes on. Our IV pumps also have flashing lights when they're alarming, which is obviously only helpful if you're in the room, but again, not the only nurse there.

Yes so do ours. But you have to be in the room to see them. And sight can't tell you if a patient has wheezy or rattly breathing or an abnormal breath sound. I do not wish to be contentious but sound is an important component of nursing even if it is subtle like hearing effortful grunts in passing urine.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

My nursing school, by law, must accept and accomodate me.

Um, yeah. I'm surprised that so many of you seem to think that the school/employer can refuse to hire her due to her disability.

I'm not a nurse, but I've taught preschool and have ran a few businesses with employees. Employers CANNOT discriminate on the basis of a handicap. Period. (unless there's an exception for CNA's/nurses that I don't know about:confused:) Unless you put in your initial job announcement that a criteria for the job is to be able to hear at a certain level, or put in the job announcement that a person must be able to see with 20/20 vision, etc. then you are DISCRIMINATING against the disabled person and that's illegal.

Schools have to offer reasonable accomodations to disabled people. Even private schools. This includes offering them supports that help them have the opportunity to overcome the small disadvantage they may have at completing the work. For example, in my local high school, the school has to pay for a sign language interpreter for deaf students to be accomodated. My college was like that, too.

Me- I'm very "sprititual" also. :) I believe that G-d is my Provider, so what I would advise someone to do in your situation is 1. calmly talk it over with the person doing the discriminating. Know your facts, but don't come on full force. Make sure that the person you talk to is really in charge - [ie] the person who hold the license for the nursing home. Ask if there's any way they can please accomodate you, provide some suggestions and explain how you can do it. 2. Pending the outcome of that conversation, follow up with a written letter stating the same request for reasonable accomodation. Mention the law and the nursing home licensing regs and fair labor laws this time. 3. If they aren't responsive, make a formal complaint to whomever licnenses their school and their nursing home - including the dept of fair labor, and perhaps a lawyer. DO NOT SPEND A LOT OF ENERGY ON THE ABOVE. They are only cursory and perfunctory actions. Should take you no more than 3 hrs. 5. While doing the above, research your other options and move on with doing all the things G-d has in store for you in your future.

I'm NOT sue happy, but this is wrong and they need to understand they cannot be mean to people who are disabled. It's not fair and goes against the spirit if the ADA.

~good luck and prayers~