Mark Flatt

I don't have words for this...?‍♂️?‍♂️?‍♂️?‍♂️?‍♂️

I know this is an old question but as a survivor, nurse, and certified brain injury specialist...I feel the need to say that yes...it is possible to have a traumatic brain injury and be a successful nurse. Do I need accommodations? Yes. I had a moderate TBI in 1994. I lost control of my car in a snowstorm and smashed into a stone wall in a field after going off the road. I was studying for my PhD in neuropsychology at Drexel University at the time (Yes, I realize the irony.) In any case, it took over a decade of rehabilitation and finding the courage to try nursing school...I failed my first attempt. I was pre-med before I fell in love with neuropsychology so I figured I could pass nursing school even with a TBI...??? yeah right...nursing school is so hard...seriously...you have to not only be competent academically but also practical. Good luck. Anyway, I finally asked for help and passed with lots of blood, sweat, tears, and cursing...lots of cursing...we nurses can put a sailor to shame in that department. :-D. I worked ED/Trauma for 10 years before I was in a second accident. Not as bad as the first, but I couldn't stand or hold a needle or scalpel anymore...the end of ED/Trauma first assist work for me. I still miss that. I went into psychiatric nursing and got my brain injury specialist. I'm also working on my psychiatric nurse practitioner. I want to work exclusively with TBI patients. I'd like to add that there are many physicians out there who practice with TBI. A friend of mine is a doctor with a TBI. To protect them I won't give details but this doc has an incredible rapport with patients because they know what it's like. We brain injury survivors are family...dysfunctional perhaps...but we help each other out and care for one another when and if possible...