Nursing School with a Disability

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Any other nursing students with diagnosed disabilities & needs requiring accommodation under the A.D.A.?

Was your school helpful or was the process of getting accommodation difficult?

I am being diagnosed with an "invisible disability" (circadian rhythm disorder, delayed sleep phase type) & will be attempting to work with my program on ways of accommodating my documented needs (all classes/clinical rotations must begin after 12pm).

Hopefully they can work around my medical condition, but I am truly frightened they won't, especially regarding the clinical times (I need a 2-10 pm shift & they currently only offer 6am-2pm). They would need to have an available instructor, a hospital willing to take me during those hours, as well as being alright with my going through rotations apart from the cohort.

The university could also technically claim my requests for accommodation cause the program "undue hardship", leaving me the choice of A) dropping out or B) pursuing legal action in a discrimination suit.

Sigh. Why can't things ever be easy?

Anyone else successfully navigate nursing school with a medical disability? I need inspiration & good vibes!! :)

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Hi,

it's been my experience that schools will make REASONABLE efforts to accomodate your needs, like more time for testins, tutoring etc. I wouldn't hold my breath that they're gonna re-schedule clinicals if they don't already have PM clinicals. It would be VERY difficult to for programs that are already short on instructors. Nursing students also need to work all the shifts to really appreciate the daily routines we work with. That said, its certainly worth talking to your administrators.

Good luck!

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I also don't see that they are going to restructure the program for you. Have you looked at a part time program or do you have one around you that is completely at night? I have seen them before but they are few and far between. Nurses work all shifts, have to go to hospital orientation for sometimes a week all starting at 0700 even before working on the floor. Also many certification classes are only in the morning. I would contact the nursing school as well as the disability center at the college to see what it is that they can offer you.

good luck

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Tabby_Cat, I am sure they will be able to work around your disability but I am unsure of how they could attend to the hours issue?

I just completed a Bachelor Degree in Adult Nursing with a severe profound hearing loss. I have to say that my university and the Scottish Government were fantastic in making reasonable adjustments to help me through the course, such as a personal note-taker, a laptop and associated software, an olympus digital recorder and money every year for printer ink and photocopying. I have now qualified and will be returing to University to attain the BSc Honours Degree. A severe hearing loss should not hinder anyone who wishes to do something amazing with their life, like i did! :)

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

The American Government...while there are laws, are not as helpful as the scottish government. OP Unfortunately you will find it difucult if your disability involves changing clinicals and hospitlas changing clinicals. While the medical community helps patients with illness and disabilities...they are not very accomodating.

They will probably claim undue hardship and you might find lawsuits cost prohibitive. I was a nurse educator at the last part of my career and a nurse for 34 years when I developed an auto-immune muscle disease and require a scooter/wheelchair........Although, I can easliy teach and sit in a chair.

I no longer have a job nor will anyone hire me.

I wish you the best.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Your request is likely to be deemed a hardship on the schools and thus denied. It is difficult for schools to obtain placement for clinical rotations and there is a lot of behind the scenes logistics that go into setting up agreements with clinical placements, instructors, guidelines etc. If the program does not offer PM clinicals there is a reason for it. Your option would be to trudge forward and do what you can to make the early morning clinical rotations or to find an evening nursing program to apply for admission. While we cannot advise you legally, you are not likely to be able to win a discrimination lawsuit regarding denial of this accommodation. Be certain to self-identify upon applying and to your school's office of disabilities so that you may find out what, if any, accommodations can be made for you.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I think requiring an instructor to accommodate a single student for clinicals is going to be deemed 'unreasonable'. Have you pursued treatment for your circadian disorder? (My master's thesis was on this topic). There are medications to treat this - it would not have to be a forever thing- just for the sixteen week semesters.

What about a program like Excelsior? or WGU? The clinical component is much more condensed and you have some flexibility in the hours.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I think requiring an instructor to accommodate a single student for clinicals is going to be deemed 'unreasonable'. Have you pursued treatment for your circadian disorder? (My master's thesis was on this topic). There are medications to treat this - it would not have to be a forever thing- just for the sixteen week semesters.

What about a program like Excelsior? or WGU? The clinical component is much more condensed and you have some flexibility in the hours.

Excelsior does not have a no-background entry to practice. Excelsior's admission to the ASN/RN program is restricted to currently licensed/certified paramedics, respiratory therapists, and licensed practical nurses.

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One of my peers was diagnosed late in the game but received accommodations in nursing school. However, she was not asking for classes or clinicals to start later in the day. If I were you, I would see about the available medical intervention for this disorder. No program would be able or willing to restructure a clinical practicum for just one person.

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Thank you everyone, for the replies & suggestions. I appreciate all the kind words & support.

As many of you said, I get the feeling the university will be sympathetic in theory, but not so much in actuality, especially regarding clinical times. All the courses are already offered in afternoon sessions & the disability office said switching those wouldn't be overly difficult. My official disability paperwork will be processed next week, so we shall see.

I am a very good student, with a 3.89 & 4.0 GPA from my previous bachelors degree, but that was taking solely afternoon/evening classes at at two major universities, who obviously had the infrastructure to offer more options. I never had to "declare" myself before because I never needed to, given the scheduling choices I had.

I have pursued medical treatment for my condition for the precise purpose of "resetting" my clock for the upcoming semester, but it has been a dismal failure. Hence being advised to declare a disability & ask for accommodation.

I can do one-off days (for orientation, a certification class, etc...) where I am up early, but it involves going over 24 hours with little or no sleep, so it's obviously not a long term solution, especially when caring for patients.

The school I am attending has a fabulous accelerated BSN program & a wonderful reputation in the community, so I do not want to leave, although I know I may be forced to do so. It was my first choice for multiple reasons & still is.

I am investigating other area schools which could potentially have alternative clinical times, but so far have nothing solid. The certified phlebotomy tech program I completed last year offered three shifts of clinical rotations, but I know that is an exception & not the norm.

Legal action is costly & not something I seriously want to pursue.

Again, thank you everyone for your replies!

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I am sorry to hear of your problem, but I am not sure how you can be accommodated for your clinicals. Many things that students do are usually done in the morning hours. Whether it is assisting with AM care, bedmaking, those myriad morning meds, etc, and just getting into that speedy routine, it can only be done between 7-10 AM.

And all the testing, MD rounds, etc, etc.

But I wish you all the best!

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Specializes in Assisted Living.

The school HAS to assist you with your ADA needs - but in regards to future workplace I dont know how detailed it gets.

I too have a similar fear when it comes to school and work working with me and my needs.

I have fibromyalgia and neuropathy and Im about to start recieving OxyCodone for pain management from a Clinic. I know they test for Oxy on 12 Panel urine drug test- and I will still provide all the detailed information explaining I am under Doctor's orders. BUT. I just cant but fear that they dont want to 'hire' a nurse who is taking very very strong opioid based medicaton.... kinda along the whole "nurse under the influence".

Anyone else taken medication and the school/work showing concern???

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