Student nurses with disabilities

KyRNðŸ˜‰ · Mar 20, 2016

The OP is in nursing school, and has been doing well in her classes. i think it was safe to assume from the start of the thread what kind of level of impairment is being implied. So yes, I think there's a place in nursing for her. Furthermore... Obviously the degree has to be obtained and the NCLEXpassed, sooooo again, the level of impairment is implied. There are so many areas of the field that, yea, it's not an impossible conclusion that an individual with a disability could have a sucessful career.

l1234567 · Mar 21, 2016

Individuals who are cognitively impaired, or who otherwise cannot think critically in a quick and efficient manner should not be nurses. I know this will draw ire and it's not popular, but as a practicing nurse for 20 years and as a nursing instructor, it is how I honestly feel.

Do you have anything to add. Did you read this thread? The OP didn't ask how you feel

(I'm assuming significant enough to impact memory)

Thanks for the clarification, but she actually never said what she had.

The question was posited in a previous post

Not by the OP

I am sorry for what I am about to say, but quite honestly not everyone can be, nor should they be a nurse.

HA! no you are not! But thanks for the laughs. How fake of you!

KyRNðŸ˜‰ · Mar 21, 2016

I think you know what we're discussing here, and it isn't someone with well controlled ADHD or dyslexia.
The question was posited in a previous post as to if you would want a nurse with a cognitive impairment (I'm assuming significant enough to impact memory) taking care of a loved one and my answer is still the same- no. And I stand by what I stated- "not everyone should be a nurse".

I'm confused. I thought this thread WAS discussing cognitive functioning in regards to nursing. You pointed out that there's a variance in cognition dependent on the diagnosis; that's obvious. So obvious that I'm confused as to why you're stating it, since to graduate and obtain licensure as a nurse requires relatively intact cognition. So yes, ADHD/dyslexia are relevant to this discussion. To clarify: What cognitive impairments, in your opinion, would warrant exclusion of nursing as a profession (graduating and passing NCLEX assumed)? Also, when you stated, "not everyone should be a nurse," did you mean only in the context of direct patient care? Or the profession in it's entirety?

NurseNHowell · Mar 21, 2016

I am fully aware of the definition, although I am inferring that you are personalizing this thread.

Yeah I do take it personal that you ASSUME the level of cognitive/memory impairment and you flat out state that the disabled don't belong in nursing, you don't even bother to specify who you feel is "good enough" for your standards in the nursing workforce. If someone can get through nursing school AND pass the state boards then yes there is a place for these nurses. Its disgusting to see a nursing educator make such a blatant discriminating statement.

Basic cognitive abilities are measured by attention and concentration, executive function, information processing speed, language, visuospatial skills, psychomotor ability, learning, and memory (Jansen, Miaskowski, Dodd, Dowling, & Kramer, 2005). Cognitive impairment, then, is defined as a decline in function of one or many of these domains.
An individual who experiences an impairment in executive thinking, judgement, processing, and language will not only have a difficult time coping with the demands of being a nurse, they may be a liability. Not sure when your rebuttal turned from good evidence into a soapbox but there can be a tremendous disparity in cognitive functioning, from relatively mild learning disabilities to severe MRDD. I think you know what we're discussing here, and it isn't someone with well controlled ADHD or dyslexia.

No you are assuming what the OP's impairment is. I don't even need good evidence when you have outright discrimination and judgment all based off skewed assumptions. You are the one assuming the OP's impairment even though she clearly is higher functioning than you assume. If she is doing well in nursing school and she passes nursing school then passes the board then why do you assume she is in a state of severe impairment? With the OP you assume then again you assume with what the meaning of my words are. You ASSUME far too much for a nursing educator.

If a person is functional enough to get through nursing school AND pass the nursing boards then yes there very easily is an area they can work.

jifferte, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 21, 2016

Sorry, you can argue until you are blue in the face. If you're not able to think critically, assess, evaluate, and intervene when necessary, this isn't the profession for you. In perusing this thread, I'm clearly not alone. If that rubs you the wrong way, I really do not know what to tell you.

Furthermore, as disgusted as you are, students who exhibit cognitive impairments significant enough to affect higher order judgement, critical thinking and memory generally do not make it past the pre-requisite phase. Not everyone can be a nurse, nor should they be.

NurseNHowell · Mar 21, 2016

Nursing is not possible for everyone "no matter the disability." Each person who wants to be a nurse in spite of a disability needs to approach it from their own unique perspective. Many can figure out ways to work around these disabilities. Not everyone can.

Every nurse needs to be able to get through nursing school and pass state boards, if they are able to do that then yes there is an area for them. My ex coworker lost 90% of her sight and was able to find an area in nursing that suited her. There are also multiple nurses that are wheelchair bound. So if they are able to fully perform their job then why should they not be welcome?

I do agree with you that unfortunately there are some people who are not able to get through nursing school or pass their state boards but those people are not able to achieve the basic necessities to obtain their licenses. At no point did I ever say or imply the requirements should be lowered for them.

jifferte, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 21, 2016

As an addendum, it's positively tragic that if you have a dissenting opinion, name calling ensues. Sad and unprofessional. You will encounter individuals throughout your career who do not agree with your point of view. Deal with it.

NurseNHowell · Mar 21, 2016

Sorry, you can argue until you are blue in the face. If you're not able to think critically, assess, evaluate, and intervene when necessary, this isn't the profession for you. In perusing this thread, I'm clearly not alone. If that rubs you the wrong way, I really do not know what to tell you.
Furthermore, as disgusted as you are, students who exhibit cognitive impairments significant enough to affect higher order judgement, critical thinking and memory generally do not make it past the pre-requisite phase. Not everyone can be a nurse, nor should they be.

Now you are very trying to adjust your statement. At no point did I say someone who isn't capable of critically assessing, evaluating, and intervene should be a nurse or allowed lower standards. But your assumption that I was stating that is your own fault. What I have written is very clear. Not all cognitive/memory impairments actually cause someone to not be able to critically assess, evaluate, and intervene. My disgust is at a nursing educator making an all-inclusive discriminating statement regarding disabled or learning impaired students that they are actually supposed to be guiding and helping through nursing school.

Well now this is even more interesting... you ASSUME yet again. I did not call anyone names over not agreeing. My opinion is not name calling nor is it unprofessional. But your discrimination is unprofessional, unethical and also possibly illegal.

KyRNðŸ˜‰ · Mar 21, 2016

Those who cannot graduate and obtain licensure are not nurses, regardless of their cognitive ability. So that is irrelevant. I think what is frustrating nursenhowell and I is the generalizing. You are stating that people with cognitive impairments should not be nurses. That is VERY offensive and just... An ignorant thing to say. I agree with you on some points, but those are the OBVIOUS ones- irrelevant to this thread. JIFFERT: ARE YOU SAYING THAT THOSE WITH A DIAGNOSIS INDICATING IMPAIRED COGNITION SHOULD NOT BE A NURSE? EVEN IF SAID PERSON HAS RN/LPN AFTER THEIR NAME?

jifferte, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 21, 2016

Sorry, but my statement, which is in no way, shape, or form illegal, still stands. As I have said in each of my posts on this thread- If you are not able to think critically, synthesize, assess, interpret, and intervene- this is not the profession for you. Your statements are becoming more outlandish as this thread grows, which I find unsettling and strange. I think you need to examine your motives for being incapable of dealing with an opinion that is not congruent with your own.

KyRNðŸ˜‰ · Mar 21, 2016

I do agree with you that unfortunately there are some people who are not able to get through nursing school or pass their state boards but those people are not able to achieve the basic necessities to obtain their licenses. At no point did I ever say or imply the requirements should be lowered for them.

Are we speaking English? Why does the above clarification even need to be mentioned; it's a given! If you can't get through school and pass NCLEX you aren't a nurse! Duh!

jifferte, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 21, 2016

I'm sorry but to the two individuals who keep posting- you need to clearly read each line of my posts. I'm not sure what is unclear here. If you are not capable of critical thinking and judgement due to an impairment, this is not the field for you. In looking back, I'm clearly not alone in that statement. My language is just plainer.