Affirmations for nurses and nursing students with disabilities

Connie Stallone Adleman, RN 
Educator, stroke survivor, author, and coach

As the New Year begins please accept the following affirmations—

 created by Connie Adleman, RN, author of a chapter in "The Exceptional Nurse: Tales from the trenches of truly resilient nurses working with disabilities".

I use my limitations as an opportunity to grow.

I give thanks that any limitation that I experience is a gift teaching me about myself.

I always focus on and count my possibilities for success.

I have unlimited potential.

I love myself exactly as I am.

Thankful to people who give and people who say thanks!

Every year www.ExceptionalNurse.com awards scholarships to nursing students with disabilities.

The funds for these awards are not always easy to come by. We use money from donations, small grants and sales of the book "Leave No Nurse Behind: Nurses working with disAbilities".

It is so heartwarming to receive a thank you letter from one of our recipients. This letter and a photo arrived yesterday.

Dear Exceptional Nurse Scholarship Committee:

As a 2013 scholarship winner, I wanted to take some time to once again share my appreciation of the help you have provided for me.

I just finished my freshman semester with a 3.3. GPA. Considering I had sciences along with other courses, I believe I did pretty well.

I continue to work as hard as I can to become the best possible nurse I can be. I am wishing you all very happy holidays and once again thank you for believing in me....

If you bought a book, made a donation or funded a grant request.....we thank you for believing in www.ExceptionalNurse.com so we in turn can believe in others.......

Happy Holidays!

www.ExceptionalNurse.com

Give nurses in wheelchairs a chance

An article written by Alexandra Pecci for Health Leaders Media includes an interview with Marianne Haugh, a nurse born with spina bifida, who happens to use a wheelchair.

Marianne was a 2013 Daisy Award winner at Shriner's Hospital in Chicago. She is also a clinical instructor for nursing programs in the Chicago area.

This is what a parent wrote about her:

"Marianne has continued to be an exceptional nurse. She is always on point with patient's needs, very professional, and has never once allowed the fact that she is in a wheelchair herself prevent her from carrying out whatever task needed to be done. I trust my son in her care hands down and have no doubt others feel the same."

You can read more about Marianne and her journey by clicking on this link.

http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/NRS-299106/Give-Nurses-in-Wheelchairs-a-Chance


Would you give a nurse who uses a wheelchair a chance? If so, why? Why not?

Please share your thoughts.

With thanks,
Donna

Are you working as a nurse with a black dog?

Are you a nurse or nursing student working or studying with a black dog?

Are you suffering from depression?

This is a powerful message.........


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiCrniLQGYc&feature=youtu.be

Car accident, paralysis and disability... not stopping this nursing student!!

"Christine said she didn't know if it would happen. She could barely raise her arms or move her fingers, even though her physical therapist told her she was a "miracle" for sustaining the injuries she sustained while still having use of her hands and arms."

"When Fay Raines, dean of the UAH College of Nursing, and Pam O'Neal, associate dean for undergraduate nursing, first visited Christine in the summer of 2012, they suggested she consider changing majors."

"Then the physical therapy began to make a difference and gradually her hands and arms began to behave as she directed. Even the doctors were telling her she could still be a nurse."

"So when Raines and O'Neal visited for a second time, Christine said they immediately encouraged her to continue pursuing a nursing degree upon seeing her improvement. Good thing, perhaps, because Christine's father said they were ready to "ambush" the deans with the idea she could become a nurse after all."

"Smith had just one semester to complete when the accident happened. But to make that final semester a little easier, UAH spread that semester over two semesters."

Read more about Christine's remarkable journey.

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2013/05/paralyzed_after_2012_car_accid.html

Our best wishes to you Christine!

Donna

A parable for nurses who become disabled

Welcome to Florida!


http://www.nursetogether.com/a-parable-for-nurses-who-become-disabled

Misty Blue Foster: Becoming a Nurse While Overcoming Spina Bifida - UroMed

https://www.uromed.com/misty-blue-foster-becoming-a-nurse-while-overcoming-spina-bifida/

So, why not hire a nurse who is deaf?

According to this article, we need nurses to work with people who are deaf.

So, why not hire a nurse who is deaf?


 http://career-news.healthcallings.com/2012/10/01/nurses-needed-for-working-with-deaf/

Red Cross condolence program volunteers help families in need | Nurse.com News#.UnDtUBrD-M8

Looking for a volunteer opportunity?


Red Cross condolence program volunteers help families in need | Nurse.com News#.UnDtUBrD-M8

Nurses fired for refusing flu shot

This issue has surfaced again this year.

Which comes first..... patient safety or employee rights?


http://news.yahoo.com/nurses-fired-refusing-flu-shot-224637902--abc-news-health.html

Lateral Violence

I wonder how many nurses with disabilities experience lateral violence?

Please share your experiences.

http://www.minoritynurse.com/blog/ashley-wagner/dark-side-nursing-my-experience-lateral-violence

Accommodating Nurses with Disabilities

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN)...an excellent resource!

Accommodating Nurses with Disabilities

Nursing School with a disability...Yes you can!!!

Yes you can!!!

Read more.......

http://www.nursetogether.com/nursing-school-with-a-disability-yes-you-can#

Ok...I like kale but what about nurses with disabilites?

So we now have a national kale appreciation day....who knew?!!

Do you know how many times... and for how long I have tried to get a "national nurses with disabilities appreciation day"???

How do people get these days?

Your thoughts...please!!

With thanks,
Donna

http://nationalkaleday.org/

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/10/02/228499704/is-it-time-to-cool-it-on-kale-already?utm_content=socialflow&utm_campaign=nprfacebook&utm_source=npr&utm_medium=facebook

Need a change? Looking for a job? If so, today is your lucky day!

Attention all Exceptional Nurses!

This is a grand opportunity!

Need a change? Looking for a job?  If so, today is your lucky day!

Become a member of www.ExceptionalNurse.com for one year by donating $15.00. If you are already a member of www.ExceptionalNurse.com, your membership will be continued for another year.

Your name will be entered into a raffle and FIVE lucky nurses will win a FREE “Nurses, Jobs & Money Signature Program”, a coaching series, generously donated by Carmen Kosicek, RN, MSN… a nurse visionary!!!!

Carmen wants to work with nurses who REALLY WANT this program and will implement it. She is looking for people who could not normally afford to do something like this. The five chosen nurses will need to go through the application process AFTER viewing Carmen's free video series on www.carmenkosicek.com. The entire process is important.

This is a win-win opportunity. You will become a member of www.ExceptionalNurse.com with access to all web site content— and have a chance to win Carmen's coaching series. Hurry! Donate now! This offer will expire on midnight October 8, 2013. Get busy! Time is of the essence!

Nurses with Disabilities Compensate — and Contribute | Nurse.com News

Nurses with Disabilities Compensate — and Contribute | Nurse.com News

Remembering 911...nurses were there

Remembering and reflecting on 9.11

Never forget...nurses were there....

http://ajnoffthecharts.com/2011/09/09/remembering-911-nurses-were-there/

ExceptionalNurse.com scholarship winners for 2013 !!

ExceptionalNurse.com is pleased to announce the scholarship winners for 2013.

Ashlee Ernst lives in Lincoln, Nebraska and will be attending Regis University.

Samantha Collins lives in Warwick, Rhode Island and is attending the University of Rhode Island.

Nicole Miller is from Joliet, Illinois and will be attending St. Francis University.

Dannin Butchko lives in Vermilion, Ohio and will be attending Walsh University.

Cheryl Jennett is from Gainesville, Florida and is attending the University of Florida.

Megan Kelley is from San Diego, California and is attending San Diego State University.

      Read more about the scholarships at:

http://nursetogether.com/exceptional-nursecom-awards-scholarships-

Nurse..amputee..powerlifter

I know nurses "can do it all"...but this nurse really kicks it up a notch!

"Lisa Krajick is a 47-year-old mother of three who works as a nurse at Levindale. When she was 24 she lost part of her right leg when she was stricken with a bone infection called osteomyelitis."

Image courtesy of Carroll County Times

"In the 23 years since her leg was amputated, she has never let anything stop her from fulfilling her dreams, and that includes becoming a powerlifter.

With the aid of a prosthetic (which has a heart painted on it to symbolize her work as a nurse), Lisa has been training at CrossFit Retribution, a gym in Westminster. Over the last seven months she has been learning the art of the deadlift, bench press and squat, and she’s seeing results. In fact, she can now deadlift up to 195 pounds!"


http://www.lifebridgeblogs.org/2012/04/17/levindale-nurse-is-an-amputee-and-a-powerlifter/

Deaf medical assistant demonstrates skills

This video addresses questions often asked. How does a person with hearing loss take a BP?
Listen to heart sounds?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFpJJvm0Nwk&feature=player_embedded

Share your thoughts....

Would you hire a deaf nurse?

Alexandra Wilson Pecci of  Health Leaders Media sheds light on the recent

court decision involving a nursing student with a hearing loss.

http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/NRS-295417/Would-You-Hire-a-Deaf-Nurse

Is it harder for nurses with invisible or hidden disabilities?

Do you have an invisible disability?

If so, is it harder to work as a nurse with an invisible disability?

Do co-workers, patients or administrators diminish your disability or make "light of" your challenge 
because it is invisible?

If you have an invisible disability, consider submitting your story or video to the Invisible Disabilities Association. 

Nurses need to be included!

Please read the following blog post and share your thoughts.....

http://usodep.blogs.govdelivery.com/2013/08/14/truly-caring-is-healthy/

http://invisibledisabilities.org/

St. Anthony's employees 'nurse' each other through breast cancer | Nurse.com News

St. Anthony's employees 'nurse' each other through breast cancer | Nurse.com News

Former public health nurse sues county - TheMountainMail.com: Free Content

Former public health nurse sues county - TheMountainMail.com: Free Content

Is the debate over?

Dr. Neal-Boylan sheds light on the debate surrounding nursing care provided by nurses with disabilities.

Can we end this debate? Quality care is fact!!!

Bravo Dr. Neal-Boylan!



http://www.insightintodiversity.com/disability/end-the-disability-debate-in-nursing-quality-care-is-fact-by-leslie-neal-boylan

Exceptional Nurses work!

Take a look at some Exceptional Nurses!

Please "like" Exceptional Nurse on Facebook. We need support!


http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d7a59354e4449784e44593d0d0a&blogview=true

With thanks to our military nurses

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/nurse-memorial.htm

Military nurses...sadly often forgotten

http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-03-13/local/37679889_1_military-nurses-prison-camp-corregidor

Happy Nurses Week!

This slide show was created by www.ExceptionalNurse.com as a tribute to nurses with disabilities for Nurses Week. It features nurses from all over the USA who have various disabilities. The show is a celebration of ability!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EJkQVhgwq0

Nurses, Jobs and Money

In April, Tennessee will become the anchoring hub of ‘Nurses, Jobs and Money’, presented by Visionary, LLC featuring Carmen Kosicek, RN, MSN. 

 

This workshop is approved for 7.0 CE’s by the Alabama State Nurses Association, an accredited approver of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.  

 

The workshop 'Nurses, Jobs and Money', was formulated to educate nurses who are challenged with traditional employment by educating them on how to unearth opportunities in which they may continue to utilize their nursing insight and knowledge.

 

This workshop is excellent for students, newly graduated nurses, seasoned nurses and nurses with disabilities.  Unemployed and underemployed nurses, as well as returning military nurses, will benefit from this workshop by enhancing knowledge of alternative employment opportunities.

 

An on-line version of the 'Nurses, Jobs and Money' workshop is being filmed and will be available at www.CarmenKosicek.com by July 2013. 

 

To register for the 'Nurses, Jobs and Money' workshop and more, visit www.CarmenKosicek.com

 

A discussion for nurses with diabetes

http://www.tudiabetes.org/forum/topics/nurses-with-diabetes-do-you-get-frustrated-with-co-workers-and