Tales from a Scottish neurodivergent student nurse

"This diagnosis has answered so many unanswered questions about myself. I have shared this in the hope that this also offers insight to my friends, family and those who know me. Being different has come with a long list of challenging experiences of being misunderstood, misconceived and underestimated by others and I know that many other neurodivergent individuals (thus including other neurodivergent student nurses) have experienced the same stigma in the world which is quite frankly not on, particularly in this day and age. It is with this in mind that I intend to do my bit to work towards informing some change to these misconceptions of neurodivergent individuals, because by goodness we have so much to offer the world! Neurodiversity has never stopped me, and never will."

Read more from Chlo Jack at: 

Chlo Jack On Her Mac

Cheers!

Donna

The "I am a nurse: Color me Exceptional" coloring book is now published in Japanese!

 

 Many thanks to my Japanese colleagues who helped to make this possible.

Cheers!

Donna

The coloring book is available at:

https://amzn.asia/d/5rjxl3y

Congratulations to the Exceptional Nurse 2024 Scholarship winners!

 

Nursing students with a wide range of disabilities are being admitted to nursing programs. Disabilities may include hearing loss, low vision, learning disabilities, limb differences, paralysis, mental illness, autism, short stature, chronic illnesses and conditions such as multiple sclerosis, lupus and movement disorders.

Financing an education can be a challenge for some students with disabilities. In addition to routine expenses (tuition, room and board, books, uniforms, transportation), students may need to purchase an amplified or electronic stethoscope, computer software programs, or audio books—as well as medications, hearing aids, therapies, prostheses, special equipment or custom alterations to uniforms and lab coats. Working a part-time job may not be possible.

Scholarships are available from ExceptionalNurse.com, a nonprofit organization for nursing students and nurses with disabilities. The organization provides links to disability-related organizations, technology, equipment, financial aid, employment opportunities, mentors, blogs, continuing education, speakers, legal resources, social media groups, research and related publications.

 The organization has been awarding scholarships to nursing students with disabilities since 2003. The awards are based on academic performance, letters of recommendation, financial need and an essay which answers the questions: “How do you plan to contribute to the nursing profession? How will your disability influence your practice as a nurse”? Due to support from donations and book sales, we were able to award two scholarships.

This year, funds were limited so competition was stiff. ExceptionalNurse.com is honored to announce the winners for 2024!!!

Henry Gathje will be attending Saint Mary's University nursing program in Winona, Minnesota. Henry stated, "I genuinely want to be a blessing for other people and nursing is the perfect profession to do so on a daily basis".

Kaitlyn Davidson is attending the University of South Carolina's nursing program. She wrote, "...  now it is my time to give back to society, now it is my time to motivate those in the worst moments of ther lives, and now it is my time to bolster the health of our nation."

Kennedy Corbell will be attending the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas. She stated, "I believe my experiences have made me more caring for others and I will enjoy being an excellent nurse."

Paige Rudzinski is attending the University of Cincinnati's nursing program. Paige wrote, "..I have learned how everyone is different while needing healthcare..this will influence my practice as a nurse because I will need to adapt to patients' needs and what they are capable of."

Best wishes to all.

Cheers!

Donna

Brianna Fogelman, transplant patient, becomes a nurse at Johns Hopkins

     

AFRO News reported this story.

"When Brianna Fogelman checks on her patients, the Johns Hopkins nurse pays close attention to their emotional state. She knows that’s expected of every nurse, but it feels especially vital to her — not long ago, the 27-year-old registered nurse, who cares for patients about to undergo or recover from surgery, grappled with her own fears as she waited for a new set of lungs at The Johns Hopkins Hospital." 

"Throughout her childhood, Fogelman struggled with asthma and other chronic lung problems, which worsened over time. She entered her 20s often gasping for breath, and she eventually required portable oxygen. In 2018, during her third year of nursing school in Delaware, she was referred to Johns Hopkins transplant pulmonologist Pali Shah, who placed her on a national waiting list for a double-lung transplant. During the next few months, Fogelman’s lungs collapsed twice, and then she developed pneumonia."

 Read more at:

Breathing Easier: The Journey from Transplant Patient to Johns Hopkins Nurse | AFRO American Newspapers

Cheers!

Donna

Nursing student Lauryn Matzke isn't letting cerebral palsy get in the way of becoming a nurse!

 

Arizona Digital Free Press reported on this story.

"Lauryn Matzke is a first-year student at Western Maricopa Education Center, which is a career and technical education public school district based in Glendale.

Ms. Matzke, who lives with cerebral palsy and Type 1 diabetes, decided to begin her medical education with West-MEC’s medical assisting program and is now a top performer, according to a press release.

Ms. Matzke suffered a stroke when she was 1-day old, causing hemiplegic cerebral palsy, a condition she will live with for the rest of her life, the release states.

“I was worried about Lauryn finding her own way to complete assignments, but she proved that there was no need for negativity or worrying,” Ms. Ray said. “She thrives in class and handles every task with grace. It’s incredible to see Lauryn and her classmates work as a team to achieve success together.”

After Ms. Matzke completes West-MEC’s Medical Assisting program, she plans to attend Glendale Community College to pursue a nursing career, while interning at Phoenix Children’s Hospital."

Read more at:

Lauryn Matzke excels at West-MEC medical assisting program - Arizona Digital Free Press

And learn about a device her class built to help her excel. Class builds device to help student excel in Surprise medical assisting program (abc15.com)

Cheers!

Donna

Taylor Mills defied the odds to become a nurse!

 

The University of Saint Francis featured this story.

"As a result of VACTERL association, Mills was born with missing tibia and fibula bones in her right leg and underwent a below-the-knee amputation at Shriners Children’s Chicago hospital when she was about 2. She had her first VEPTR rod surgery for scoliosis at 4, continuing every six months as she grew.

Mills’ positive attitude always remained intact.

After graduating from Wayne High School—where she defied the odds and played on the golf team—Mills entered the pre-medical program at Saint Francis in 2017. She spent about two years in the program before switching to nursing because of her desire for more direct patient contact. Then, COVID-19 hit. At the same time, issues arose with rod pain, which led to her decision to have spinal fusion surgery. That surgery then had to wait due to the pandemic. After initially thinking she would come right back to Saint Francis after the first of two surgeries, she decided to take about 18 months off.

When Mills finally returned to Saint Francis in the fall of 2022, she focused fully on her nursing degree.

Mills’ nature is to help others, too. Her dream job is to work as a nurse at Shriners Children’s Chicago. She has been in touch with them and remains hopeful that a spot will become available."

Read more at: 

https://www.sf.edu/news/2024/02/saint-francis-alumna-taylor-mills-hopes-her-nursing-journey-inspires-high-school-students/

Cheers!

Donna