Welcome to the New Nurses with Disabilities Forum!

I am a student nurse in an accelerated BSN program. I haven't had any problems with my clinical instructors until now, my last semester.

I have a visual impairment which affects my hand-eye coordination, dept perception and peripheral vision. I look "normal" so people assume a lot. I tell every clinical instructor and preceptor I work with right off about my disability and most are perfectly fine with it and have worked with me... this semester; however, my preceptor is a young nurse, recently graduated and has worked in the neuroscience ICU her entire 2 1/2 year career. I think she's more out to prove how good she is rather than teaching me. She is frustrated by my mistakes (no med errors, just flubbing up drawing up meds and basically uncoordinated when it comes to IVs/ventric/a-line care.

She explains it once (quickly), watches me do it once and expects that I "get it" for the rest of the semester. There are multiple steps to leveling and zeroing ventric; checking ICPs, etc so I'd like to write them down; my preceptor said I'm not always going to be able to refer to notes (after she suggested that I DO take notes another day!).

Anyway, the situation is this -- it's mid-term (past, actually for me) and I received a poor evaluation from her...I can't say as I feel real good about myself in completing the TASKS related to the ICU environment; however, I'm great at pt education (elementary education was my first career -- didn't like being in the schools so didn't stay with that career for long), documentation and assessment...my preceptor didn't bother giving me credit for those. When I dropped off my forms to my clinical instructor, I discussed my frustration... she said that everyone is a novice in a new environment and basically not to worry about it.

Anyway, I had another 12 hour shift with my preceptor on Mon. and things went especially badly -- I dropped an IV drug and it spilled all over the floor; broke (she was able to jerry rig it) the ventric draining device, got behind on meds, etc. SO, I emailed my

faculty member in charge of the course Tues. first thing. Good thing I did this cuz m preceptor emailed her, too! I had a meeting with the faculty member in charge of the class (yesterday), my clinical instructor and even the head of the skills/learning lab. They were all supportive and I don't think I'll fail the class based on my clinical performance any more. I am scheduled to work in the skills lab for 6-8 hours between this week and next. I will be evaluated by all of those people in my skills (as well as my preceptor). I won't go back to the ICU and my preceptor till I'm more comfortable working the machines which is fine by me, actually. When I go back, I can work 8 hour shifts so I can go in more frequently. The bad news is, the Dean was cc'ed on my "remediation plan." The Dean says there are limited accommodations that can be made for clinical settings. I'm meeting with the Student Services (Disability Support) director tomorrow afternoon.

This has all led up to: how in the world am I gonna be a floor nurse? I realize floor nursing is much different than the ICU; however, if I can't (or am slow at) performing simple tasks on 1 pt how am I sposed to be able to do it for 5 or 6 pts and not fall behind? I have heard that most clinic jobs don't hire new grads. I've also heard that 1-2 years of floor experience is required for just about every RN job. I was a protocol scheduling secretary in NH for oncology pts for 4 years prior to entering this nursing program. I realize I want to pursue a Master's now (not sure what specialty).

What I'm looking for mostly is support. Does anyone else have a visual impairment? How have students dealt with a non-understanding preceptor? Feelin' kinda worried right now even though I realize everything will be all right. I was called to this profession for a reason -- gotta keep telling myself that!

I am new to this website. After reading many of the stories about deaf and HOH nurses u have given me the courage to go back to school. I am HOH myself. I am considered moderate hearing loss and wear two aides. I once was in the nursing program and failed. I would say it wasn't because of my hearing but my lack of effort to study. I am a CNA but have put my stethescope away for 5 yrs due to many reasons. But to all the deaf and HOH nurses.. you are awesome!!

I would suggest A Dr's office to work at. I am looking down that avenue. I believe there is something for everyone out there somewhere. Best of health & Good Luck

.

AP

I have had preceptors that dont understand but they are trying to help. Some are just impatient also. I have ADD and generalized anxiety due tho that. I was put on meds that i felt worked only some of the time. I had to resign my position in acute care and now im looking into Dr's office setting and some type of outpatient surgical setting. I have learned not to set my expectations of my self too high. I have failed but kept trying and took my chances and did the best i could at that time. Dont give up! but you may have to rethink and focus on your abilities until you get more experience maybe in a non fast paced environment. You can do it. It is very frustrating and upsetting but this site is self help for me and many others. I believe there is something out there somewhere for everyone. You are a special person to want to do this job. keep me informed. Good luck

AP

Thanks for the vote of confidence, AP. I know where I *don't* wanna work and that's the ICU environment. However, at the time I was choosing where to do my placement,since I'd never been in an ICU, I thought I'd like to try it. Now I know! I'd LOVE to get an RN job at a clinic; however as a new grad (May 17, 2008!!), it's hard to get in to clinics -- all the floor nurses want 'em, too. For now, my passion is still oncology patients. I'm looking for hospitals that have strong new grad programs and who are accepting new grads to the oncology floor. Support is what I need most, and time to get the skills down so I feel more competent. You guys have been a big help. Thanks all.

You have representation in congress Senator Mike Crapo Iowa is a advocate for those with copd and is trying to change law to better assist copders in regard to travel

Hello!

I just found you today... so I wanted to send greetings. I am not officially disabled (per SS guidelines) yet; but just completed yet another hospital visit, followed by a stay in a rehab / skilled nursing unit! I am currently here in DFW Texas area, possibly seeking a job. I am asking each of you for your assistance in areas perhaps unexplored (by me). I basically need a sedentary job; as my list of ailments just added spinal stenosis of 4 cm. I already have had a lumbar fusion many years ago; survived necrotizing fascitis; amidst other chronic ailments. Enough about that; what I'd really like is information regarding job that might be available, application process for disability, and anywhere that I might be able to go for assistance while I am sorting this all out. I guess I have rambled enough for now! Have a great day :)

Hi, I just happened upon this site and read about the person who wanted to become a nurse and has scoliosis. I have a severe scoliosis, and was in the Easter Seals film, that went to schools, in 1981, just before I had my surgery. I had Harrington Instrumentation, with two rods, and spinal fusion of my lumbar spine. This all happened right after I graduated with my LPN. I now have an RN, BSN, and have been working in long term care, which is very physical, for many years. I am also a runner. I had a baby in 1976, that's when I noticed my curvature had worsened. If nursing is what you really want, then find your niche. I don't ever do any lifting or other heavy labor, without asking for help. Also, we use different lifts, and proper body mechanics. I never advise the aides, or anyone, to do anything heavy, by themselves. I don't consider myself disabled, but I guess I am in certain circumstances. audrey

Have you considered Mds nursing doing the Minimumdatasets for Ltcs or being sn nursing infomatic yes there is such a job as this exists hope this helps you laughappy

i became "disabled" in 2000 due to a surgical procedure that kept me on the operating table for over 12 hours. i have severe nerve damage that makes my legs "go numb". feels like i have a trillion hot needles being stuck in them. i have been receiving ssd since then and i'm in semester 4 of 6 in an adn program. i sat for my nclex-pn in july (after 3 semester of nursing) and passed. i landed a job at one of the best ltc facilities in my area and i'm loving it. i have recently received many compliments from other nurses as well as the don. i start semester 4 tomorrow and will hopefully have my rn by dec. 2008. i'm very concerned that "traditional" nursing will be difficult for me. currently, i've been able to deal w/ the pain my disability causes, not letting on how much pain i'm in, but how long can i do this??? it concerns me a great deal. i'm 46 w/ 2 teenage sons and i know how big of a role model i am for them. i'm a 3 time cancer survivor (all different types) and they've been through it all with me. i've been working for a month now and just hope i can continue and find ways to deal w/ my disability and pain. i thoroughly enjoy the work i do and can't wait to get my rn. i'll continue to keep putting one foot in front of the other and go where the road takes me.

hey, one day at a time, and get the fmla filled out so no one can mess with your "attendance" issues. you will be a wonderful nurse because you have been on the other end of the iv catheter so to speak. i admire your

strenght and i know i would receive the best care you could give because it would be from your heart and brain. you know, you are going to have to pay your dues on the "floor" for a year. then, as soon as you can look to out patient, look into kaizen, six sigma if you an organization nut. hospitals are eating it up now... they won't listen to the nurses that work in the environment everyday, but they will hire a consultant to tell them what is wrong with the "work-place space". how about osha.....specialize in environmental health and safety. god knows we need a real real real safety nurse as an advocate for the nurse!!! you won't have to work in a hospital if you don't want to,:typing holy cow schools need nurses, insurance companies need nurses, just get the base and off you go.... e mail me and i will let you know what my hubby does with his nursing degree... holy cow. why am i doing this er bedside stuff anyway??? oh yeah, i love it.

I had posted a message last week, with some questions for the community...forgive my computer novice skills, but I cannot find it anymore, and I do not see any responses to it. Is there any hints for me? Thanks!

Thank you so much for opening this forum for all the disabled and injured nurses. Seems like the longer we have served in the nursing community, the more injuries we have suffered and the more seriously disabled we are.

I will definitely be checking this site as ofteen as I can.:bowingpur

Cynthia, RN/CDE:redbeathe