Nurses with disabilities: Top 10 blog posts in 2016!

As the New Year approaches, it is time to look back at 2016. Included below are the top 10 Exceptional Nurse blog posts about nurses with disabilities. 

Nurse with Asperger's is champion for 

       others with autism spectrum disorder

So how does a person with Asperger's disorder move forward to become a nurse anesthetist, military aviation photojournalist, author, public speaker, advocate and founder of a non profit organization?

Just like the answer to "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" 

PRACTICE!

http://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2016/07/nurse-with-aspergers-syndrome-is.html

Nurses: How do you don gloves with a different hand?

How does a nurse or nursing student with short, partial or missing fingers; or who wears a prosthetic hand don gloves in a healthcare setting?

The question was posted to a group of nurses with disabilities. 

http://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2016/11/nurses-how-do-you-don-gloves-with.html

Deaf Nurse helping to break the sound barrier

Lucy Eels, RN shared her story in a blog post for "Break the Sound Barrier" the Australian national campaign to make hearing health and well-being a national health priority. 

http://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2016/09/deaf-nurse-helping-to-break-sound.html

Hurricane Hugo: Remembering nurses 

who worked through the storm

Imagine how many nurses worked through the storm. Were they injured? Did they suffer from PTSD? Did they receive mental health counseling following the storm? Margot Withrow and John Owen share vivid details of working through the storm. 

http://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2015/01/hurricane-hugo-remembering-nurses-who_26.html

"Breaking it down" for nursing students with learning disabilities

Breaking a task down into micro-units, using prompts, and assistive technology can help all students.

http://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2016/11/breaking-it-down-for-nursing-students.html

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

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.  http://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2016/06/moving-forward-with-disability.html

A message for nurses with disabilities from Neil deGrasse Tyson, the astrophysicist

Neil deGrasse Tyson talked about how his colleagues and co-workers with ADD, dyslexia and autism spectrum disorder cope with not being what some people consider "normal".

http://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2016/08/a-message-for-nurses-with-disabilities.html

Libby Sanders is a nurse in Jasper, Indiana. Earlier this year, she lost her left pinky finger after a freak accident with a screen door. Since the accident she was a little self-conscious about the missing finger.

Nursing students with a wide range of disabilities are increasing in number every year. Disabilities may include hearing loss, low vision, learning disabilities, limb differences, paralysis, mental illness and chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis, lupus and movement disorders.

http://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2016/07/nursing-students-with-disabilities.html

Will President-elect Donald Trump support nurses with disabilities?

So much has been said and predicted about a Donald Trump presidency. Can we turn our attention to nurses? And, specifically nurses and nursing students with disabilities? 

http://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2016/11/will-president-elect-donald-trump.html

Holiday gifts for nurses and nursing students with disabilities

       Do you have a nurse or nursing student with a disability on your holiday list? Here are a "few of their favorite things" to consider.

https://www.amazon.com/Pairs-Compression-Socks-Women-Men/dp/B07DVBP42T/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=compression+socks+nurses&qid=1575560891&sr=8-5

Compression socks

Illumivein Finder

https://nurseborn.com/product/illumivein/?wpam_id=12

https://smile.amazon.com/Exceptional-Nurse-trenches-resilient-disAbilities/dp/149540093X/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=the+exceptional+nurse&qid=1575559753&s=books&sr=1-2


https://www.amazon.com/Great-Anatomy-Physiology-Macmillan-Skills/dp/1137415231/ref=pd_sbs_14_1/137-3072180-8442613?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1137415231&pd_rd_r=bc9bc2ac-7e8d-4876-a032-e2d1c2782125&pd_rd_w=zVLJg&pd_rd_wg=S7JFC&pf_rd_p=5873ae95-9063-4a23-9b7e-eafa738c2269&pf_rd_r=Q1EPADZAF7KG7NF9Z1E6&psc=1&refRID=Q1EPADZAF7KG7NF9Z1E6


https://www.amazon.com/Leave-No-Nurse-Behind-disAbilities/dp/0595396496/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=leave+no+nurse+behind&qid=1575559946&s=books&sr=1-1
Books

Stethoscope Holder
https://nurseborn.com/product/nurse-born-stethoscope-holder/?wpam_id=12

https://www.amazon.com/Medical-Organizer-Belt-Nurses-Multi-Compartment/dp/B07VH54Y9R/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=nurse+belt+side+holster&qid=1575560416&sr=8-1      
Belt or side Holster

Gripsors bandage scissors
https://nurseborn.com/product/gripsors-bandage-scissors/?wpam_id=12

https://smile.amazon.com/nurse-Donna-Carol-Maheady-APRN/dp/107519606X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=color+me+exceptional&qid=1575559583&s=books&sr=1-1


https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Coloring-Book-Wynn-Kapit/dp/0321832019/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=anatomy+coloring+book&qid=1575560024&s=books&sr=1-3



https://www.amazon.com/Physiology-Coloring-Book-2nd/dp/0321036638/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2/137-3072180-8442613?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0321036638&pd_rd_r=7d3f11f3-770d-4eda-8447-cf8298f38354&pd_rd_w=KHxAU&pd_rd_wg=A3ir8&pf_rd_p=09627863-9889-4290-b90a-5e9f86682449&pf_rd_r=BXMA320XBKFF7DSXXC7C&psc=1&refRID=BXMA320XBKFF7DSXXC7C

Coloring books

https://www.amazon.com/Super-Markers-Unique-Marker-Colors/dp/B01HSS5FTW/ref=sr_1_45?keywords=markers&qid=1575560755&sr=8-45

Markers

https://www.amazon.com/Nursing-Clipboard-Aluminum-Folding-Students/dp/B07TMF7XJV/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=nurse+clipboards&qid=1575560274&sr=8-7

Clip Boards

https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Pointer-Infection-Control-Paramedic/dp/B0753FD2MB/ref=asc_df_B0753FD2MB/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=&hvpos=&hvnetw=o&hvrand=&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584482455101125&psc=1

Fob watches

Happy Holidays from ExceptionalNurse.com.

Cheers!!!!

Donna

How can someone with a hearing loss become a nurse?

The experiences of students with hearing loss can vary significantly among individuals. A number of personal and environmental factors will have an impact on how the student learns and how he or she interacts with instructors, peers, and patients. Other factors include degree of hearing loss, age of onset of hearing loss, and educational background. Ambient noise levels, room acoustics, and lighting also can have a significant impact on how well communication might flow between a health care provider and a patient. 
     In many settings, simple changes can be made that may benefit more than just one person. Using the principles of universal design, adding visual signals such as flashing lights in addition to auditory signals can alert any member of the staff. Using pagers is a common way of communicating, and it creates a more accessible work environment for everyone.

Students who need additional visual cues for classroom access may request speech-to-text services, sign language interpreters, or oral interpreters. Speech-to-text service providers (often referred to as a captioner or transcriber) use specialized software and a display device to provide a text format of the lecture and discussion.

     Students who use sign language interpreters should discuss the preferred mode of communication (e.g., use of American Sign Language or use of Contact Sign), review terminology, and establish what signs could be used to express specific concepts for each class. Students with strong speech reading skills may request an oral interpreter. An oral interpreter will present on the lips and face what is being said during the conversation or presentation.

  Many students use personal hearing aids to understand speech and detect environmental cues. Although hearing aid technology has improved tremendously over the past few decades, there are limitations to how strong the signal might be.  Older analog hearing aids tend to amplify all sounds, making it difficult to separate background noise from speech; the sound produced by newer digital hearing aids is clearer and has reduced distortion and internal noise. High-end digital hearing aids may also be programmed for different listening situations. 

       Purchasing and maintaining a personal hearing aid is the student’s responsibility. Assistive listening devices (ALD) amplify the speaker’s voice and reduce the influence of background noise. Commonly used ALDs include FM systems, infrared systems, and electromagnetic induction loop systems. Because an ALD might be used by several different students, this equipment is generally purchased and maintained by the institution.

    In the college environment, students who are deaf or hard of hearing are strongly encouraged to take an active role in planning their communication access services. Discussions with the staff in the disability services office can be helpful prior to the start of a new term, especially when the student’s course load includes laboratory work or clinical assignments. Service providers, such as interpreters or speech-to-text providers, may need to prepare for the terminology used in the classes or work with the student to determine the best sight lines to see the access service, the instructor, and any visual course materials used.

     In clinical settings, students will be expected to identify heart, lung, and bowel sounds; communicate in settings in which surgical masks are used; and communicate with patients in a clinical setting or on the telephone. Students with hearing loss may not be able to utilize a traditional acoustic stethoscope. Several amplified stethoscope models are available, and students who benefit from hearing aids are encouraged to work with faculty and their audiologist to determine a good match. Technology such as text pagers and smartphones can be an effective strategy for handling alerts and telephone messages. There are numerous materials available on the PEPNet website that may provide a student with additional information: www.pepnet.org.

*Note: The PepNet website will close December 31, 2016 and transition to working with the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes info@nationaldeafcenter.org.   

This information is an excerpt from a chapter commentary written by Marcia Kolvitz, PhD, Director of PEPNet-South at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville in the book "The Exceptional Nurse: Tales from the trenches of truly resilient nurses working with disabilities". To order a copy, visit:

https://www.amazon.com/Exceptional-Nurse-trenches-resilient-disAbilities/dp/149540093X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1473089785&sr=1-1&keywords=maheady

Nurses: How do you don gloves with a different hand?

How does a nurse or nursing student with short, partial or missing fingers; or who wears a prosthetic hand don gloves in a healthcare setting?

The question was posted to a group of nurses with disabilities. The responses included the following: 

"You could use different size gloves...one for each hand. I have no fingers on my right hand and use different sizes to have less latex in the way."

"Tuck the extra tips of the gloves in. I'm missing a finger (had it amputated due to cancer) and I just tuck the extra finger in. No one notices."

 "I have two fingers on my right hand. I turn the glove inside out and slide it over my two short digits and the other finger sleeves are tucked in automatically."

Susan Fleming, RN, PhD., a nurse who was born missing her left hand demonstrates how she dons sterile gloves in this article: http://www.exceptionalnurse.com/DegreesofSuccess.pdf. 

Dr. Fleming also demonstrates donning sterile gloves in this video "Nursing with the hand you're given". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3AfRRNxLWg

An article about surgeons with amputated fingers, published in 1982, may also be helpful.

Brown, P.S. (1982). Less than ten--Surgeons with amputated fingers. The Journal of Hand Surgery, 7(1), 31-37.

http://www.newyorkinjurycasesblog.com/uploads/file/2012-04-13%20(1).pdf

If you are a nurse with a similar challenge, please feel free to add a comment or suggestion to this post so others can benefit. Or, email me at ExceptionalNurse@aol.com.

With thanks!

 Donna

Kindle Count down deal! "The Exceptional Nurse: Tales from the trenches of truly resilient nurses working with disabilities"

Happy Thanksgiving and Black Friday!!!!

 Get the Kindle version of the book for $1.99 today. It's a Kindle countdown deal!

https://www.amazon.com/Exceptional-Nurse-trenches-resilient-disabilities-ebook/dp/B00MMG9YUC/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1480110521&sr=1-1&keywords=maheady

Will President-elect Donald Trump support nurses with disabilities?

So much has been said and predicted about a Donald Trump presidency. Can we turn our attention to nurses? And, specifically nurses and nursing students with disabilities? 

Will he stand with all nurses and nursing students? 

Will he support safe staffing ratios and safer handling policies?

Will he encourage employers to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and reasonable accommodation for nurses with disabilities?

Will he support reasonable accommodation for nursing students with disabilities in higher education?

Will he see the potential in a nurse or nursing student with a disability?

What can we do to bring the issues to the attention of the President-elect?

Please feel free to post a comment below or email me at ExceptionalNurse@aol.com. 

I will update this post as the new administration moves forward.

With thanks,

Donna

Why do libraries matter to nurses with disabilities?

Recently, I was asked why I encourage nurses, nursing students, nursing faculty and disability services staffers to ask their university, college, hospital or local library to purchase copies of my books.

Of course, the stories shared in books offer inspiration and hope to nurses and nursing students with disabilities, but there are other reasons......

If you purchase a copy as an individual (thank you!!!), but I would venture to guess that after you read the book it will be placed on a shelf and later end up in a landfill or thrift store.

But if a library purchases the book, the stories shared by trailblazing nurses with disabilities will live on for generations to come. 

The stories serve as examples of nursing students and nurses who benefited from the Americans with Disabilities Act. Some asked for reasonable accommodation and often fought the system, overcame challenges and moved forward to do the work they love. Information is shared about nursing school, gaining employment, accommodation, reactions from patients and fellow staff nurses.... and so much more.

If books about nurses with disabilities are available in libraries, nurses who are working on masters and doctoral degrees and doing research on the experiences of nursing students and nurses with disabilities will find the stories. Nursing historians will be informed as well.

Disability services staffers, human resource staffers, nursing administrators, attorneys, law students, vocational rehabilitation counselors, physical and occupational therapists need to know about nurses with a wide range of disabilities who have been successful in school and work place settings. They need evidence that a person with one hand, mental illness, lower limb amputation, spina bifida, learning disability, spinal cord injury, chronic illness, epilepsy, essential tremor, hearing or vision loss can become a nurse with and without accommodation! 

Most libraries have an easy online form you can complete to request a purchase.

Can you help the stories live on?

Maheady, D.C. (Ed.). (2014). The Exceptional Nurse: Tales from the trenches of truly resilient nurses working with disabilities. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.   ISBN: 13:978-1495400933

Maheady, D.C. (2006). Leave No Nurse Behind: Nurses Working with disAbilities.

Lincoln, NE: iUniverse, Inc.       ISBN:13:978-0-595-39649-8

Maheady, D. (2003). Nursing Students with Disabilities Change the

Course. River Edge, New Jersey: Exceptional Parent Press. (Now available from Lulu.com)

  

With thanks in advance!

Donna

"Breaking it down" for nursing students with learning disabilities

   Breaking a task down into micro-units, using prompts, and assistive technology can help all students. We all do this whether we realize it or not (Brandt and Alwin, 2012; Kolanko, 2003). As nurses we develop sliding scale charts for delivering different dosages of IV medications, write laboratory results on our hands, and enter prompts into our iPods to be on time for medications and treatments (Kolanko, 2003; and McCleary-Jones, 2008).

     Understanding deficits in social processing or lack of social skill learning is more common in college students today. Developing a network of support is important to all students with disabilities. Students with LD tend to be individual rather than group learners. But this characteristic sometimes isolates the student. Finding ways to integrate them into study groups, peer tutoring, or group discussions may help to increase the comfort level of group work and as nurses with supportive staff (Brooke, 1999). The student feels at ease and can see the group as a support rather than a source of stress.

When students with LDs learn to micro-unit (break information down into its smallest units), use various learning strategies and are provided more time, they can see the relevance of these techniques for patient care. Nurses with LD are uniquely prepared to care for patients who have the same needs. Upon learning of their LD, students report reactions of grief and loss as they see themselves as a person with a disability and not “a normal person.” Helping them to self- advocate, learn success strategies, and referrals to specialists can support their needs. It should be emphasized that this is something they can help patients do for themselves as well (Kolanko, 2003). 

This information is an excerpt from a chapter commentary written by Katherine Kolanko, RN, PhD in "The Exceptional Nurse: Tales from the trenches of truly resilient nurses working with disabilities". 

Please share your thoughts below.

With thanks,
Donna

Are you a nursing student with a learning disability? Sharing a “Learning Bio” with faculty may help!

STUDENT LEARNING BIO

Tino Plank, Pre-Nursing Student

Dear___________:

My name is Tino Plank, and I’m in the process of completing my nursing school pre-requisites. At the suggestion of my academic counselor, Bill Jones, I’ve put together this “learning bio” as a way to introduce myself, my scholastic goals, and my learning disabilities.

I already have a B.S. degree, which I completed in 1980. However, at that time, I struggled in many of my core science classes because I didn’t realize that I had learning disabilities that impacted my capacity to process the material I was studying. Specifically, I have auditory and visual processing deficits and dyslexia/ADD characteristics that slow down the way I integrate information.

I always wanted to continue my science education, but had been intimidated by the testing challenges from my undergraduate days. Fortunately, I’ve been through the learning skills assessment offered by Student Supportive Services, and with their guidance and support, we’ve worked out learning/testing accommodations that have improved my ability to learn and retain information.

I look forward to learning from you this semester and working with you to incorporate my accommodations into the classroom.

Sincerely,

Tino Plank

Read more about nursing school with a learning disability in chapter 5 “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough: Paths to Success for Nurses with Learning Disabilities” in The Exceptional Nurse: Tales from the trenches of truly resilient nurses working with disabilities.

http://www.amazon.com/Exceptional-Nurse-trenches-resilient-disabilities-ebook/dp/B00MMG9YUC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1421958814

Keep moving forward: Are you on suspension or do you have a restricted nursing license?

State boards of nursing use different statutory language related to restrictions, suspensions, stipulations, probation and surrendering a license. It is hard to know exactly how many nurses have suspended or restricted licenses.  If you are one of these nurses, you may be eager to continue to work in nursing or a related field, but don’t know where to turn. Finding a nursing or healthcare related job may take some time and effort, but it can be done!

Let’s think about it this way, if you have a restricted license or your license is suspended, you still have a degree in nursing and valuable skills. Consider areas where you can use your nursing knowledge in broader terms, beyond traditional nursing positions. Begin to think about health related fields. Change your keyword search from “nursing” to “health related”.

Consider gyms and health clubs

Do you practice yoga? If so, why not become a yoga instructor? Build your own business teaching yoga to patients with cancer, arthritis or chronic pain. Also, consider becoming a Reiki master.

Like anatomy? Many massage and yoga instructor training programs require students to study anatomy as part of the training. Who better than a nurse to teach this content?

Explore opportunities with insurance company fitness programs like Healthways “Silver Sneakers” fitness program. You could become an instructor.

Teaching

How about teaching health to middle or high school age students? A school system may only require you to have a degree in a health-related field in order to teach health.

Consider teaching CPR, first aid, water safety, babysitting or other health related courses for the Red Cross or American Heart Association.

Love maternal/child care? Consider becoming a childbirth or breastfeeding educator.

Does your local school system offer adult education programs? If so, consider developing a health related program and presenting your idea to the appropriate department.

Nurse Recruiter

Working as a nurse recruiter or for a staffing agency may be an option to consider.

Nutrition Consultant

Are you interested in promoting good nutrition and healthy eating? Consider becoming a nutrition consultant. Some nurses have started their own businesses offering classes within their communities.

Faith based programs

Does your church, synagogue or mosque have a parish nurse? If so, consider volunteering with him or her to take blood pressure after services or make home visits.

Library

Love being in the library? How about considering a position in a university medical or nursing school library?

Volunteer

Teach the American Lung Association’s “Open Airways” program to children with asthma in schools.

Consider volunteering with the Red Cross or at a free clinic or homeless shelter.

Writing

Write a blog about your experiences. It can be a source of income and could be helpful to other nurses. Online and print publications are also a place to consider writing articles about your area of expertise.

Medical Coding

There are medical coding courses offered at community colleges and online. Learning medical coding can lead to employment with medical offices and consulting firms.

Medical Foster Care

Infants and children with special needs are in dire need of foster homes. Consider opening your home and sharing your nursing skills with children in need.

Developmental Disabilities

Many children and adults with special needs live in group homes and other settings. Groups homes and programs providing services to people with disabilities often need nursing expertise. Find out how you might be able to help. Teach a class on hand washing, food safety, hygiene, nutrition or cooking healthy meals.

Network, network, network

Tell everyone you know that you are interested in working. Stay connected with other nurses as well.

Be prepared for tough questions you may be asked. Rehearse responses. Be honest with employers. Explain your disciplinary action, take responsibility and clearly identify ways you have remediated the situation.

You also need to work closely with your state board of nursing program or counselor and comply with whatever is requested. Try to keep your resume current if a return to traditional nursing practice is your goal. Work closely with your Nursing Board’s peer assistance program or counselor. They may have employment suggestions particular to your area of the country.

Any other suggestions? I would love to read about your experiences.

Move forward!

Donna

Yoga Nurse

http://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2015/05/yoga-nursinga-gift-to-self.html

Nurse is a Reiki Master

http://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2014/11/do-you-want-to-pay-fewer-taxes-go.html

Nurse teaches nutrition

http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20160731/palm-coast-nurse-teaches-art-of-nutrition

Nurse teaches anatomy

https://phsponyexpress.org/2015/10/27/former-nurse-becomes-teacher-of-anatomy/

Silver Sneakers

https://www.silversneakers.com/partners/instructors/