Moving forward with a disability: Returning to work as a nurse after an amputation

Carolyn McKinzie, LPN

Carolyn McKinzie returned to work as a nurse following a below the knee amputation. Her journey and suggestions for other similarly situated nurses are included in a series of blog posts. Part 3 includes steps a nurse with an amputation should take before returning to work.
Our thanks to Joyce Fiodembo, RN founder of "International Nurse Support"  for sharing Carolyn's post with us.

There are steps that should be taken to evaluate readiness for work.

Assess physical readiness

Consultation with a primary care physician to discuss current, overall health status is essential.

The next step should be a consultation with a prosthetist to discuss the physical requirements and essential functions of the position being considered. A prosthetist can facilitate provision of prosthetic components to meet the level of activity.A physical therapy consultation may also be indicated.

Develop a Resume
A resume should be created or updated based on work experience and interests. Certifications such as IV, dialysis and oncology should be included along with computer and language skills (bilingual, sign language). 

Cast a wide net of career alternatives
Teaching, Case Management, Camp nursing
Telephone services (triage, helpline, poison control hotline)
Consulting, Teaching nursing
Teaching yoga or Reiki
Writing or working for a non-profit organization

Consider more education
Advanced degrees can  open doors of opportunity and less physically demanding positions. State vocational rehabilitation programs may be able to help fund educational programs.

Make connections 
Finding a nurse with an amputation who is currently working is ideal. Mentors can be found found through organizations,social media groups and ExceptionalNurse.com.
Reading articles about nurses with amputations can also help to identify role models.

Review Job description 
The physical job description for a position should be available from the HR department. A review of the job description and essential functions is needed along with a comparison with the amputee’s abilities and limitations. 

Request a Job shadow
Job shadowing a nurse working in the position sought is ideal. Benefits include a clear and honest understanding of the duties required for the position. 

Consider need for Accommodation
A review of the job description may identify requirements that will require accommodation. Areas to consider include: 
Time spent standing in one place and time spent walking.
Number of bends, squats and kneels. 
Environmental factors such as doors (weighted), distance between stations and stairs.

Contact Carolyn McKinzie at:

Email: Blueeyedlady1101@yahoo.com
Phone: 207-624-1076
Facebook: Amputee Nurse Consultant/Carolyn McKinzie, LPN, RBKA

Read more of this blog post and Part 1 and Part 2 at:
http://www.internationalnursesupport.com/4489/nurse-carolyn-answers-your-questions/

Appreciate your thoughts and comments.

With thanks,
Donna

Dyan Summers, DNP identified first case of Zika: She also benefited from experimental treatment for multiple sclerosis

     Dyan Summers, DNP

On May 9, 2016, Adam Piore wrote the following story for "Columbia News".

"When Dyan Summers’ patient suggested he might have a disease called “Zika Fever” in 2013, she was dubious.

In her 15 years as a certified nurse practitioner specializing in tropical medicine, Summers had diagnosed malaria, Dengue fever and at least one case of Cutaneous larva migrans—a thread-like worm lodged in a patient’s leg.

But as Summers has learned over her years working as a healthcare practitioner, most recently at Travelers Medical Service in New York City, “You listen to your patients, even if what they’re saying sounds a little wacky.”

This patient was an adventure traveler, and had read an article about Zika while traveling through French Polynesia. As her assistant drew blood, Summers did some online research, and then called the CDC.

“I think I have the first American traveler with Zika sitting in my office,” she said, before sending blood samples to its Atlanta headquarters. The CDC confirmed the case.

Summers’ patient recovered, and his case was the basis for an article she wrote for the Journal of Travel Medicine, and the portfolio she put together in order to earn a doctorate of nursing practice—her third Columbia degree—from the Columbia University School of Nursing this spring. The New York Times quoted her during the recent outbreak of the disease. It is just the latest achievement for Summers, whose educational attainment would have seemed as unlikely to her as that rare case of Zika.

A native of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Summers grew up in a trailer in a farm community and enrolled in a nurse’s aide training program in high school. The experience gave her the confidence to enroll in a correspondence course and earn an associate’s degree from Regents College.

In 1991, she read an article about disenfranchised New Yorkers caught up in the AIDS epidemic, and moved to the city to work in an AIDS unit. Summers went on to earn a B.S. at Pace University and did volunteer work in Nicaragua, which in turn led her to pursue travel medicine. Certificates from Johns Hopkins soon followed, in tropical diseases and travel medicine. In 1997, she earned her first degree from Columbia, a master’s from the Mailman School of Public Health. She earned a second as a nurse practitioner from the School of Nursing in 2001.

Summers has also worked in home healthcare and as a medical consultant. But it was her 2007 diagnosis of multiple sclerosis that has most changed her.

The medicine she took for it made her feel worse, and she was exhausted all the time. So she began researching her disease and learned about an experimental procedure using angioplasty to increase blood flow in the jugular vein. Summers consulted with David Sperling, an interventional radiologist and an associate clinical professor at Columbia University Medical Center who, after careful study, performed the procedure in 2009.

It changed her life. Her balance and cognition improved. She has since made exercise and diet a priority, has hiked Venezuala’s 10,200-foot Mount Roraima twice and is an amateur natural fitness competitor, which is akin to bodybuilding.

“I’m in the best shape of my life because of the MS,” she says. “You wouldn’t know that I have a serious disability.”


Bravo and congratulations to Dr. Summers!

Keep up the great work!

Wish you all the best,

Donna

http://news.columbia.edu/node/1116

What does a stroke and a career on Wall Street have to do with becoming a nurse with a disability?

In a word.....     Everything!

In June of 2015, I wrote a post about Paul Coyne who was born with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. 

I shared the following about Paul.

"He suffered a stroke at the age of 22, moved on to work on Wall Street....and then decided to become a nurse. He was the student speaker at his Columbia University graduation. His speech will touch you....and renew your faith in why we do the work we do."

"Paul's speech also reminds us that disability doesn't always mean the end...sometimes it can be a new beginning. You can listen to his moving speech by clicking on the link below."

But...wait, wait...it gets even better!!! There is an update about Paul!

 On May 18, 2016, Paul received a doctorate in nursing practice from Columbia. This degree is in addition to his bachelor's and master's in nursing from Columbia and his combined MBA in healthcare management and master's degree in finance he earned at Northeastern University.

Please read the article Columbia (link below) wrote about Paul. It will inspire you....

Love to hear what you think!

Donna

                         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WyQljuhn3Q

                         http://news.columbia.edu/node/1129

Summer camp nursing can be a win-win experience for nurses with disabilities!

Did you attend Girl or Boy Scout, YWCA, YMCA or a religion affiliated camp? Did you ever work or consider working as a camp nurse?

If you are a nurse with a disability, why not explore camp nursing possibilities?

Audrey Demmitt, RN shares the benefits she gained from the experience. 

Several years ago, Audrey was a camp nurse for the Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind. She recounts, "I was struggling with my own vision loss at the time, but still working as a school nurse. I spent seven weeks caring for campers of all ages from preschoolers to seniors. It was an inspiring and empowering experience not only for the campers, but for me as well."

                                                                     Audrey Demmitt, RN

                                         

"I learned so much from observing the campers and playing alongside them. They had such exuberance and eagerness to try new things like climbing the rock wall and horseback riding. One six year old boy who was totally blind since birth conquered the climbing wall while his mother and camp staff looked on through misty eyes. When he reached the top and rang the bell, he was giddy with accomplishment and exclaimed "Look at me! I'm so high up!"

"Well, I came away with a new "can do" attitude after watching campers conquer new tasks. I learned to try to do things in a new way. I enjoyed being part of the visually impaired community, realizing I was one of them for the first time, which helped me accept my disability. I came away empowered to learn new skills to live with my blindness. Somehow, the kids instilled in me a new-found courage to move forward by watching their fearless approach to activities."

"I learned to play again and have fun in bubbles, water and mud. I played beep ball (adapted baseball for the blind) and loved it. I learned at the talent show that we ALL have talents. We celebrated and shared our unique talents and abilities, while our disabilities faded into the background. I was truly inspired by campers' attitudes and accomplishments as well as the staff's dedication to serve this population. My time at the Lions camp rivals my summer camp experience as a child. It was most memorable and life-changing."

Working as a summer camp nurse can help nurses with disabilities gain new experiences, maintain nursing skills, have fun and even learn coping/compensatory skills from the campers. 

Why not give it a try? There are specialty camps for a wide range of campers with different disabilities. 

Please share your thoughts and experiences as well as any camps looking for an "exceptional" camp nurse.

With thanks!

Donna

http://www.visionaware.org/info/everyday-living/recreation-and-leisure/summer-camp-experience/125

Gripsors Bandage Scissors...must have for nurses with disabilities!

Sharon Zelinko, RN inventor of Gripsors Bandage Scissors

In 2005, at the age of 71, Sharon Zelinko, RN invented Gripsors! Her invention grew from a desire for a single multi-purpose tool that could be used to grip, twist and cut.

Sharon's brother-in-law, an engineer, helped her put her idea on paper and develop the drawings needed to move forward with product development.

Gripsors are stainless steel bandage scissors with fine grooves and hooks that allow nurses to grip items, twist, insert or extract. They can grip IV tubing, G-tubes, oxygen connections and vials. The style with hooks can open saline vials and work as an oxygen key. 

Available in three styles, Gripsors come with hook and gripping teeth or with gripping teeth only. Prices range from $8.97-$10.99. 

The benefits to nurses with limitations related to hand strength, dexterity or limb loss are exciting. 

Could other nurses benefit? Please share your thoughts below.

With thanks for sharing! 

Donna

*Learn more about Gripsors at www.Nurseborn.com  http://nurseborn.com/product/gripsors-bandage-scissors/ Products created and inspired by nurses!

Happy Nurses Week: Free book give-away!

For Happy Nurses Week, 

I have a gift to share!

Disability advocacy wasn't my initial goal in life. 
It all began with my daughter, Lauren, who is significantly disabled due to autism and related challenges. My advocacy for Lauren moved far beyond her life--and evolved into research, a dissertation, creation of a nonprofit organization; and writing books, and articles about nurses with disabilities.

I am thankful for so many nurses with and without disabilities who continue to work, improve the lives of patients, advocate and help other nurses and nursing students. It takes a village!

During Nurses Week (May 9-10, 2017), please download a free ebook copy of "The Exceptional Nurse: Tales from the trenches of truly resilient nurses working with disabilities".

Please take advantage of this gift and share with others. 

Read it on your Kindle or other device.

With thanks for all you do!!


http://www.amazon.com/Exceptional-Nurse-trenches-resilient-disabilities-ebook/dp/B00MMG9YUC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1447945036&sr=1-1

Happy Nurses Week!

Donna

Patty Duke, Sherri Dornberger, RN and Susan Irick, RN remind us of the dangers of sepsis

Sepsis can be deadly. It kills more than 258,000 Americans each year and leaves thousands of survivors with life-changing after-effects. According to CDC, there are over 1 million cases of sepsis each year, and it is the ninth leading cause of disease-related deaths. 

There is no single sign or symptom of sepsis. It is a combination of symptoms resulting from an infection. Symptoms can include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, sore throat, extreme pain, shortness of breath and many other signs and symptoms.

The following three stories show how varied the presentations can be as well as outcomes.

Patty Duke

Oscar-winning actress Patty Duke, star of “The Patty Duke Show” and the play and film “The Miracle Worker,” died of sepsis from a ruptured intestine on March 29, 2016 at the age of 69. 

"Her death announcement is a major milestone for the sepsis awareness movement, said Thomas Heymann, executive director of the Sepsis Alliance. The more people are aware of this condition, Heymann said, the stronger their likelihood of saving their own lives or the lives of their loved ones."

Sherri Dornberger, RN

Sherri Dornberger became a victim of a healthcare-associated infection (HAI), amongst other medical issues, while receiving medical care.

She recounts, "Through a series of unfortunate medical errors, I became the victim of a full-fledged case of sepsis throughout my body that left me in a coma for over a week in Intensive Care.

Having a rich career in long-term care nursing, I quickly became a patient who was helpless to protect myself from further harm.."

"....I know it is imperative to properly use antibiotics to protect the safety of residents cared for across the U.S. in various long-term care settings most notably skilled nursing facilities." 

"Each of us, patients and healthcare providers, plays a unique, yet equally critical role in preventing HAIs and sepsis in addition to reducing the development of antibiotic resistance. I live daily with the long-term effects of low-quality care from a healthcare exposure. It is my professional and personal goal to ensure that all patients across the continuum of care receive the highest quality clinical care possible so others do not suffer the same tragedies that I have endured over the last few years. The National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care stands alongside the CDC in this fight against superbugs and sepsis."

Susan Irick, RN

Sepsis is a term Susan Irick had heard her entire nursing career. "It never had quantifiable significance to me until the past 3 years. Now, sepsis has become an up close and personal demon that I have thankfully beaten twice. I have been the Disease Manager for Sepsis at Northeast Georgia Medical Center for the past 3 years and I have learned more than I really wanted to know about sepsis."

"My first sepsis story started on Mother’s Day, 2014. I am a diabetic and, at that time, I had to wear an insulin pump. I noticed my pump site was red and hot. I changed the pump site and called my practitioner for an antibiotic. The site became redder and larger. I began having severe dizziness, nausea, cold sweat and confusion. My colleagues took me immediately to the Emergency Room, and the doctor told me I had severe sepsis. I, of all people, did not even comprehend that I had sepsis. I was admitted to the hospital and stayed for 11 days. The wound was cultured and I was found to have MRSA. I received several intravenous antibiotics, blood products and fluids. I had heart failure, anemia and several other related problems. I do not remember most of the time I was in the hospital. It took me about three months to fully recover."

"I am so thankful that I survived my episodes of sepsis. I hope that we, as health professionals, can learn how dangerous this condition can be and ensure that our friends, families, neighbors and patients are aware and not affected by this dangerous killer."

We all play a part. What can you do to help?

With thanks in advance,

Donna 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/patty-duke-death-sepsis-awareness_us_56faf2b6e4b0a06d5803ef31

http://blogs.cdc.gov/safehealthcare/2015/09/18/a-nurses-personal-story-of-sepsis-and-a-healthcare-associated-infection/

http://blogs.cdc.gov/safehealthcare/2015/09/01/a-sepsis-nurse-shares-her-personal-experience-with-sepsis/