I am currently in school and taking online courses for a different major. I want to change my major into nursing and I am running into a few issues. I know there are pre rq's that I have to take in order to apply for any nursing program, but I think I have a learning disability. Would I be able to become a nurse with my learning disability? Also I am located in Maryland, do you know what schools can help me out with this issue?
Dear Needs Help with Learning Disability,
A lot of people with learning disabilities do well in school, in their careers, and in life.
Everyone learns in their own way, and once you identify how you learn best and what you need, you can leverage your study time to your best advantage.
Many students don't know that schools do provide accommodations for disabilities of all sorts, including test-taking and sometimes even laptops or recording devices.
allnurses member Donna Maheady has written several articles here related to disability
Perhaps you need a different work environment. You could seek counseling to develop alternative coping skills and executive functioning skills. Just like not everyone can work critical care not everyone is best suited for acute care. You are not less of a nurse if you don't work in a hospital. Perhaps if you have a few years acute experience consider skilled home health. You have several patients but focus on one visit at a time. You have breaks as you drive between patients and catch up on mandated documentation and follow up calls.
Excellent point that you just need to find your spot. A match for your skill sets and the skill sets the job requires. There are so many options in nursing to suit most all of us.
I echo supportive comments re: getting diagnosed for appropriate accommodations. When I graduated from a diploma program in 1981, I wanted to earn a BSN degree, but was petrified of having to take algebra and/or statistics. I never did well in junior high or high school related courses, but I knew this didn't mean I wouldn't make a great nurse. I completed nearly all of the required coursework for my RN-BSN a few years ago, and had stats and algebra remaining, along with research and my capstone class. After getting a full battery of tests done by a qualified diagnostician, I had extra time on my algebra tests, worked like crazy for the semester with a private tutor, and earned a B in algebra and a C in stats. This was a personal goal, and I achieved it for the degree and to prove to myself that I could master my nemesis (algebra) by hard work, focus and dedication. I can't tell you how that has improved my personal outlook on other things. I say go for it but be prepared to put forth great effort. Now I am in a graduate program, and I actually earned an A in statistics! You can do this!
Congratulations RoxyDi for all your accomplishments. I feel your sentiments and I too did well in school and I did have accommodations with all my tests. Unfortunately, I didn't have them in clinicals. That's where the disconnect came in. I haven't done well at hospitals; have only worked rehab centers/nursing homes. Sounds like you're really excelling as a nurse. Keep up the good work!
Nurse Beth, MSN
145 Articles; 4,505 Posts
Excellent point that you just need to find your spot. A match for your skill sets and the skill sets the job requires. There are so many options in nursing to suit most all of us.