Stuttering medical assistant or nurse?

[Breegall93]

Hello all! I am a person who stutters, my stuttering can be really severe at times. I was wondering if any of you were people who stutter and if so how do you, your boss, patients, and co-workers handle it? I'm just scared I won't get hired any where because of it. Also is medical assisting a good career choice? I just don't know if I can pass the multiple science classes with an A to even be considered for the nursing program. Thank you guys!

[Persephone Paige, ADN]

I guess I could be naive, but I would certainly hope there's a place in medicine for you. I have a special place in my heart for anyone who faces adversity. Just start off as a doer and ask if it's okay to keep your answers short until you aren't so nervous, refer people to your notes whenever you are especially upset. I have seen people transform once they feel at home in their positions. It wouldn't bother me one bit to work with someone who stutters and I would go the extra mile to go with what worked for them while they got their 'sea legs.'

[Klaygo]

I got a bad stutter, there is times it is worse than others. What makes it worse? Lack of sleep, intense long winded conversations that require lots of articulation, sometimes not eating enough carbs I think, and sometimes I go through periods where I have an exacerbation type thing. Talking on the phone I stutter bad and so on. Most of the time it is not so bad though. Periods when it is though feels like the worst thing in the world. Growing up with it I used to be really self conscious and it hurt alot. Now that I am older, it still bothers me some, but not as much as it used to. I have been an RN for 4 years and getting by. I notice I do no stutter bad when it comes to patient care, it is worse around the nursing station and stuff. My floor everyone is generally friendly for the most part. I tend to not talk as much as others though, so sometimes I feel I can be awkward at times cause I do not speak out and joke as much as others. Good luck. Fellow stutterer here if ya need someone to talk to. I do not find any stutterers that is like me in the real world so it is good to relate.

[LikeTheDeadSea, MSN, RN]

I had a co-worker who had a prominent stutter (and a significant hand tremor), and it would increase significantly when she was nervous/overwhelmed. It was just the 2 of us on the assignment, and non-nursing staff did express that they felt more comfortable with me. As people got to know her, they eased up,but I think there were other factors going on that contributed to an uneasy view of the her. In her previous assignments that were closer to her experience and preferred environment, it wasn't an issue because her confidence was high and her stutter/tremors were minimized.

[RNikkiF]

Follow your heart. I have worked with people that stutter and what matters is their competency in their position and their character as a person. Stuttering can obviously be a barrier to communication, but I've found if I practice my listening skills and actually listen for comprehension rather than listening to respond, it isn't a major problem at all!! Which is what EVERYONE should be doing ALL the time, no matter who they're communicating with. I did work with one person who stuttered so severely that she would have anxiety attacks. I got to know her well enough that I was able to reassure her that I would not pressure her and for her to just breathe and take her time and that seemed to help her. Bottom line, is it is your personal characteristics and your passion and competency that matters. Regardless of MA or RN. Work toward your goal. Good luck!

[RNikkiF]

BTW... an A isn't required in any class. There's usually an overall point system that matters. If you really want RN, go for it!