Teaching a charge nurse that the deaf can perform the duties of a CNA

[Inspired By Silence]

I recently requested some information from a geriatric nursing home about their CNA class. I was honest about myself. I informed the charge nurse that I was completely deaf and a pre nursing student. She sent me this Email back:

Thank you, Ms Smith, for your inquiry. Will you help me understand how a "completely deaf person," can perform all of the duties of a CNA? I look forward to understanding.

Thanks again.

Jan Q. Quincy, RN

Director of Nursing Services

I replied with a lengthy and educated Email:

Hello,

I am post lingually deaf. That means I learned speech before becoming deaf. It also means I've mastered a high standard of speech reading. I've been told that my speech reading is so good that you would not be able to figure out that I'm deaf at first glance. Speech reading, however, is not a perfect substitute for hearing. At times I may need my orders written down or I mnay ask you to repeat what you've said.

Because I went deaf later in life, I was able to fully participate in the Deaf community. Most people in health care see deafness as a disability, but I've learned this depends on the person's attitude. Yes, being deaf can handicap me if I choose to let it. But instead of viewing deafness as a disability, I've been taught by the deaf community to view it as a cultural heritage. A culture I am very proud to be a part of.

You asked me how a completely deaf person can perform the duties required of a CNA. I'm very happy to get the chance to explain this to you. I know that many of duties of a CNA are hygienic care and such. A deaf person, of course, would have no problem bathing a patient, helping a patient use the restroom, or helping the patient groom themself. You might be concerned about how I intend to communicate with the patients. For this I may have to rely heavily on speech reading and body communication. Many of the patients will probably be hard of hearing or even deaf themselves. Perhaps some of them speak in American Sign Language. This would be wonderful because I am fluent in ASL and with my deep understandings of Deaf culture I may serve as a superior advocate for the deaf patient than a hearing person with no knowledge of Deaf culture would.

Another subject of concern might be my ability to take vitals. Temperatures, blood pressure, sugar levels, pulse rates, and vitals that don't involve stethoscopes should not present a problem for me. If you believe that using a stethoscope is absolutely vital for a CNA, don't be alarmed. There are stethoscopes for the deaf and hard of hearing health care professional which can either amplify the sound (no use to me) or display the vital information on a lcd screen in digital format. I'm looking into getting one of these interesting products for myself soon as it will be necessary once I start nursing clinicals down the road.

To end my long letter, I hope you don't feel as if my deafness will slow down the prolificness of your faculty. What I lack in hearing I more than make up for in cultural sensitivity(because respecting a patient's beliefs goes a long way in healing), empathy for the patient (because I have been in the patient's shoes), respect for my superiors(because they lead me by example), and the ability to work as both a team player and a team leader.

When filling in positions for the CNA class, I genuinly hope you'll consider me as a promising student with hopes of becoming a registered nurse.

Mr. John P. Smith

P.S. I'd like to suggest you look at these websites for deaf people in my position:

This one is for deaf health care professionals: http://www.amphl.org/

This one is for disabled nurses: http://www.exceptionalnurse.com/

This last one is about minorities in nursing: http://www.minoritynurse.com/

Enjoy.

She sent me a final Email telling me how impressed she was that I knew so much about my disability, my resources, and my own abilities. She stated that it would be an honor to review my application and invited me to pick one up from her in person.

So I went, and she was surprised to see a five foot seven, eighteen year old male standing before her. I made a joke out of introducing myself as Ms. Smith as she had labeled me. She chuckled. We shared a rather lengthy conversation about my dreams and aspirations. She was actually a fairly good signer and had very easy to read lips. She told me about her own disabled son and hoe she is proud of me for daring to dream in such a cruel and prejudice world.

I'm just so happy I got the chance to educate an employer on the abilities of deaf health care professionals. I hope I get into the CNA program. I'd like the experience. Cross your fingers for me.

Oh, by the way, I changed her and my own names to protect privacy.

[kaiasunshine]

All I can tell you is that that was absolutely a joy to read and brought several smiles to my face. Fabulous, fabulous! I'm so happy that you haven't let a physical challenge overwhelm your desire to help other people and do such an important job. I wish you all the best, of course, it sounds like you're meant to do this kind of work and that you said and thought all the right things to get you in! Good luck with it all, you're going to do great! :)

[topher-67]

Excellent my good man! Outstanding stuff! Best of luck to you in taking the class and all your future endeavors.

:dancgrp:

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

You are such an inspirations! I'm very impressed with how well you've worked to overcome your obstacles. I'm sure you'll be a great nurse some day, and hopefully, a great CNA soon!

[ktwlpn, LPN]

You may have some trouble lip-reading someone after they have had a stroke, clients with neuromuscular diseases that can affect speech (mulitiple sclerosis,huntington's chorea) and don't forget the edentulous or folks with poorly fitting dentures. These things will be challenging-you have to figure out how to accomodate them because they affect a lrge part of the population in LTC.......Good Luck...

[Mr I Care]

OMG ! You are so brave and you inspire to work hard to achieve my goal of becoming a nurse. Please, do not give up or give less of your self because you are a blessed individual. I have a chronic ear problem ( sensitivity to certain sounds ) but no hearing loss. Good luck and stay positive. You will be in my prayers.

[Sandcastles, ASN, RN]

I absolutely love your story!! You are very inspiring.I believe you will be an asset to your patients and to the nursing field in general.I wish you the best of luck.Please keep us posted on your endeavors:yeah:God bless you! I will remember you in prayer as you continue on your journey...

[sin city]

What a wonderful, inspiring letter. You not only educated her but, me as well. Keep your dream and aspirations alive. I am sure you will make a excellent nurse.

[Junebugfairy]

bravo, what a fabulous letter!

when i give you this advice, it is not to discourage you, but to give you some ideas of situations that may occur, and teaching others how you would handle them.

ex: you are the only cna in "a" hall with "x" amount of residents. what if a patient falls, cannot reach the call button, and starts screaming for help? you would not be able to hear this, unless you perhaps had a cochlear implant, and this may concern a charge nurse.

figuring out how to respond to these issues, in case you are asked, would be key in proving that yes you can do it.

perhaps your answer would be that you would 'patrol' the halls and check up on residents more often, which is absolutely something that can be done. frequent "checks" could alleviate this problem.

my point is not to discourage, but to encourage you to think outside of the box and consider the concerns a charge nurse may have. you could then have a response ready, which would show that you have thought about everything!

[Katie5]

I am excited and thrilled for you.Oh to read such wonderful news.I am soo rooting for you:)

[Inspired By Silence]

You guys are all awesome. Thanks a heap! :)