Are nurses with disabilities the spirit line of the art of nursing?

     Harry Walters, a contributor to the book Woven

by the Grandmothers: Nineteenth- Century

Navajo Textiles from the National Museum of the

American Indian states, “To make something that

is perfect means there is no more room for

improvement. . . . If a weaver weaves a perfect

rug, she makes a little mistake on purpose—an

imperfection. Often we see a little line, which the

Navajo call a spirit line that extends to the edge of

a rug through the border. This line is added by

the weaver so the rug will not be perfect.” This

wonderful attitude toward human acts of creation,

so antithetical to typical Western notions, is not

only characteristic of, but crucial to, the way

Native people think about what we call “art.”

Let’s reflect on the “art” of nursing and nurses

with disabilities in particular. Consider these

questions….

Are nurses with disabilities the "spirit line" of the

art of nursing? Is disability an opportunity for

improvement in ourselves and others? Are

imperfections part of the art of nursing? Are we

all part of the fabric of our profession—including

our strengths and weaknesses, gifts and

imperfections?

 Do the "spirit lines" of nursing make us stronger

and more beautiful?

Love to read your thoughts,

Donna

Walters, H. (1996) In E. Bondar,  Woven by the Grandmothers: Nineteenth- Century Navajo Textiles from the National Museum of the American Indian. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press.

Scholarships for nurses with multiple sclerosis

ExceptionalNurse.com is pleased to announce

a scholarship program for nurses with multiple

sclerosis.

Three nurses with multiple sclerosis will be awarded

a scholarship for $1,000.00

Applications must be received by December 31, 2011.

Late, unsigned or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Scholarships will be awarded based on the following:

Documented medical verification of disability

Acceptance or enrollment in an accredited Masters of Science degree program in nursing

(Preference will be given to nurses enrolled in nurse educator tracts)

Financial need

Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can personally attest to academic abilities and personal character (these cannot be relatives)

Essay (approximately 1-2 pages) and official transcripts of college courses completed.

Please email ExceptionalNurse@aol.com for an application and additional information.

**These scholarships are funded by a generous gift from Genzyme, a Sanofi Company. This contribution is in no way conditioned upon the use of, or referrals for, any Genzyme product or service, and is not intended to promote Genzyme products, directly or indirectly.

Tenacity, personality or both?

Recently, I asked my online MSN students to share their thoughts about an article I wrote in 2004.

One student responded:

“As I read your article, it brought to mind several nurses that I have worked with through the years that have had disabilities. My employer made accommodations for one nurse by making sure her patient assignments were located so that she had to walk only short distances between them. Still another nurse was given a desk job, as your article suggests. While in nursing school, I can recall a nurse at the hospital where I did my clinical who had such a profound speech impediment that it was very difficult to understand her. She worked the night shift which would seem accommodating in that most patients would sleep through the shift, requiring little conversation. I recall a nurse's aide went into the rooms with her during her initial assessment to facilitate interaction with the patient. I definitely agree with your stance that we need to be accommodating for nurses with disabilities but the tenacity of the nurse plays a huge role in how they are treated and their success in the workplace. I am not saying that it is appropriate to treat someone according to their personality, but the nurse must be an asset to their employer regardless of physical limitations or lack thereof.”

Is it tenacity, personality or both?

Maheady, D. (2004). Positions wanted: Nurses with disabilities: Barriers to employment remain despite the nursing shortage. American Journal of Nursing, 104(3),13.

http://www.nursingcenter.com/library/journalarticleprint.asp?Article_ID=493990

Tough Cookies

This week our thoughts and prayers have been with Beka Serdans, RN, MS, A-NP. 

Beka is an ICU nurse, author, founder of the nonprofit organization Care4Dystonia.org, advocate for nurses with disabilities and photographer.

Among many other accomplishments, she has been interviewed with Dr. Oz and encouraged Alice Cooper do a PSA about dystonia.

A photo journal of Beka’s experience with deep brain stimulation for dystonia (DBS) can be viewed at http://www.parasphotography.com/beka.html.

Sadly, Beka had to return to surgery for DBS on July 7, 2011.

But, as Candy Asman, RN states “tough cookies don’t crumble”! And, Beka Serdans is a tough cookie!

Many thanks for all of your prayers, emails and Facebook posts. 

We are thrilled to report that Beka is

doing well.   

http://www.care4dystonia.org/

Celebration of Ability

Let’s celebrate ability this 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

Do nurses need to find agents?

According to a Gallup poll, nurses were judged to be the most honest and ethical profession.

Athletes, movie actors, physicians, and politicians routinely promote medications and products in television advertisements.

Why aren't nurses who have arthritis promoting medications used for arthritis? Why aren’t nurses who use mobility aides seen in product advertisements? Why aren’t nurses with hearing loss promoting hearing aids?

Do nurses need to find agents?

Do nurses receive compassion and support following injury?

Karen Daley, PhD, RN, FAAN and President of the ANA wrote a recent article called "A perspective on trauma".

Dr. Daley talked about how it has become increasingly common to hear of incidents where nurses have been harmed or injured on the job.

She states that "nurses who experience trauma at work must be treated with compassion and respect and receive the support and care that providers would extend to any trauma patient....we deserve no less."  

Are nurses treated like other trauma patients?


Daley, K. (2011). A perspective on trauma. American Nurse Today, 6 (3), 20.