Seeking Registered Nurses with invisible disabilities for a research study

 

Hannah Cvancara, RN, BSN working to become first pre-service amputee Navy Nurse

                                                              Hannah Cvancara, RN, BSN 

Geoff Ziezulewicz wrote a piece for the Navy Times about a civilian nurse trying to become the first pre-service amputee to join the Navy.

"Hannah Cvancara was born with a birth defect called fibular hemimelia that resulted in her left leg never growing correctly and the amputation of her left foot when she was just a year old.

But 25 years later, she hasn’t let her reliance on a prosthetic leg stop her from living a full and physical life that includes surfing, rock climbing and long shifts on her feet as a civilian nurse."

Read more about Hannah at:

 https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2022/02/09/meet-the-civilian-nurse-trying-to-become-the-first-pre-service-amputee-to-join-the-navy/?fbclid=IwAR2xiaBtA5JwitiU6LDxPz_0AvfWVCGA7h_svlBvkOF-s4Z-fnN2U4JX2RE

Additional information about her can be found at:

A local nurse's dream is to join the Navy, and she can pass the physical test. But the Navy says they can't accept people with a prosthetic leg | The Spokesman-Review

Navy Regulations Discriminate Against Disabled People - One Nurse Is Fighting To Change That (forbes.com)

Cheers!

Donna

Top 5 blog posts about nurses with disabilities in 2021

Let's take a look back on 2021!  Here are the top 5 Exceptional Nurse blog posts about nurses with disabilities. 

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and a wheelchair didn't stop Ryann Kress, BS, RN......she got the job! 

“Two years of ‘no.’ Two years of nobody wanted to take a chance on me, being seen as a liability, or just being instantly Googled, they would find my name, see my wheelchair and say absolutely not,” said Kress.

https://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2021/05/ehlers-danlos-syndrome-and-wheelchair.html

Nursing on the spectrum: What nurses with autism want you to know           "My name is Jackie Anne.  I am in my early 30s and I am a nurse.  I may have even been your nurse.  Unknown to you, and many I work side by side with daily, I also have autism."

https://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2021/01/nursing-on-spectrum-what-nurses-with.html

Nurse practitioner who stutters helps others from the front lines of Covid-19

"Roisin McManus, a Nurse Practitioner (NP) who stutters, joins Chaya Goldstein to provide a first hand perspective from the front lines of COVID-19.

https://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2021/01/nurse-practitioner-who-stutters-helps.html

ExceptionalNurse.com is honored to announce the winners for 2021!!!        

Abigail Buker from Ewing, New Jersey will be attending the College of New Jersey. And, Erica Flowers from Andover, Massachusetts will be attending the University of South Carolina.

https://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2021/08/nursing-students-with-disabilities.html

Dr. Carolyn Burr, Nurse practitioner pioneer in stopping mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS 

"Dr. Carolyn Keith Burr, a pediatric nurse practitioner and educator who helped save the lives of tens of thousands of people around the world through her work on the prevention of HIV/AIDS in pregnant women and children, died on Friday, October 30, 2020 at Chilton Hospital in New Jersey. She was 71."

https://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2021/04/dr-carolyn-burr-nurse-practitioner.html

Cheers and Happy New Year!

Donna

In remembrance of Carolyn Berry McKinzie, LPN, a truly exceptional nurse

Carolyn was one of the Exceptional Nurse pioneer supporters. An avid writer, she loved her patients, family and friends. She served as a mentor to countless nurses and nursing student amputees.

She wrote honestly in at times bone raw accounts of her amputation and the journey back to nursing practice and a full life. The following is one example of her work.

"In 2008, I took a job as a dialysis nurse at my local hospital.  I never thought I would get more out of that job than what I put in, but we have many amputee patients and I was able to bond with them in a very special way.  I don’t hesitate to share my story with them.  It’s important for them to see that life goes on despite misfortune.  I can’t work a 10 hour shift like everybody else does, but I can keep up with them while I am there.  I have become a certified amputee peer visitor and I speak to people about my journey whenever the opportunity arises.   I know that I am a much better nurse now than I ever was.  The most valuable lesson I have learned is that tough times don’t last, but tough people do" (McKinzie, 2014, p.161).

We lost a good one. Carolyn, listen up! Your work will continue! 

Rest in peace.

With love,

Donna

To contribute to the Carolyn Berry McKinzie Scholarship to be awarded to a nursing student with an amputation, click on this link: http://www.exceptionalnurse.com/makeadonation.php

Her obituary can be read at:

 https://www.centralmaine.com/2021/12/05/obituarycarolyn-m-berry-mckinzie/

Reference

McKinzie, C. (2014). Tough times don’t last, but tough people do: Nursing after a lower limb amputation (chapter 13). In D. Maheady, The Exceptional Nurse: Tales from the trenches of truly resilient nurses working with disabilities. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. 

                                                      Additional publications

UPS AND DOWNS ~ Carolyn McKinzie, LPN, RBKA (abledamputees.org)

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

Amputee Nurse Consultant/Carolyn McKinzie, LPN, RBKA

THE DATING GAME: She Said, He Said - Amplitude (livingwithamplitude.com)

"See Me!" A watercolor inspired by an artist's love and admiration for her daughter, Ryan Mason, RN

                                                Perri Mason painted this watercolor of her daughter, Ryan Mason, RN

From November 23-January 22, 2022, the Bower Center for the Arts in Bedford, Virginia has an exhibit entitled "See Me!" 

"Everyone wants to be seen, heard, and engaged with as a fully realized human being. Let’s explore the concept that we as people are genetically the same (99.9 percent according to the National Human Genome Research Institute) BUT ... we are different in how the world views and separates us.

What are these differences? Race, sexuality, disability, age, gender, religion, culture? How are we the same? " (Bower Center.org)

The watercolor was painted by Perri Mason, who is Chronically Ry's (Ryann Mason, BS RN (@chronically_ry) mother. The piece was inspired by Perri Mason's love and admiration for her daughter "Ry" who is diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). The painting is part of the exhibit at the Bower Center.

https://www.bowercenter.org

Cheers!

Donna

The Exceptional Nurse: An Interview With Dr. Donna Maheady, ARNP

 
The Exceptional Nurse: An Interview With Dr. Donna Maheady, ARNP

      *This month’s blog has Fatenah chatting with an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) who  advocates for inclusivity within the nursing profession. Dr. Donna Maheady is a professor with the ABSN program at Utica College, located in Utica, New York. She coined the phrase “exceptional 

   nurse” to reflect those within the nursing profession, students and/or staff, with disabilities.

 Let’s learn more about Dr. Maheady and her inclusion work through Exceptional Nurse, as well as additional resources.

 Who is Donna Maheady?

Big question! I am a nurse, nurse practitioner, and nursing professor (pediatrics is my specialty); mom of a 35-year-old daughter with a genetic defect called HNRNPU, which presents with some symptoms similar to autism; wife; founder of two non-profits: ExceptionalNurse.com (for nurses and nursing students with disabilities) and ExceptionalEnsembell.org (a bell choir for adults with disabilities); author; blogger; dog lover; and volunteer.

 I wrote three books about nurses and nursing students with disabilities and created a coloring book including nurses with disabilities.

 What was the impetus for starting Exceptional Nurse?

Lauren, my daughter, was born in 1986 and was later diagnosed with HNRNPU, OCD, epilepsy, and a host of other autism-related challenges. I quickly became an advocate for her and, over time, expanded my advocacy efforts to include nurses and nursing students with disabilities.

When considering a research topic for my doctoral dissertation, it was just “natural” to study the experiences of nursing students with disabilities. I found that few resources existed for this group, and most students struggled to become nurses and find employment—and nurses who became disabled had virtually no place to turn for support.

 A carpenter was doing some work on our house. He said he created websites “on the side.” Mind you, at that time, I was lucky if I could pick up my email!

Long story short: ExceptionalNurse.com was born in 2001!

Later, we became a non-profit. And the rest is history as they say. We have grown and grown.

 What do you hope to accomplish through Exceptional Nurse?

Per our mission statement, “We are committed to inclusion of more people with disabilities in the nursing profession. By sharing information and resources, ExceptionalNurse.com hopes to facilitate inclusion of students with disabilities in nursing education programs and foster resilience and continued practice for nurses who are, or become, disabled.”

 We provide mentorships (linking a nurse or student with another nurse or student with a similar disability) and yearly scholarships. [To create community]…we maintain a blog, Facebook page, and LinkedIn groups.

 How would you address the beliefs by some nurses who feel “such person with such disability can’t be a nurse?”

To my fellow nurses and nursing educators, I would stress the importance of recognizing that disability is part of life…for everyone! Nurses with disabilities have knowledge, experience, and skills to share. They have walked the walk and gained insight into patient care from “both sides of the bed.” Their experiences inform and benefit their nursing practice. Many have a passionate desire to care for others. Nurses with disabilities can be the best role models for patients. Many of our practice settings are some of the most accessible facilities in our society. We need to put these settings to work for nurses as well as patients. Where technology, equipment, and reasonable accommodations are not enough, nurses need to rely on positive attitudes, teamwork, and thinking outside the box. A move toward upholding more of the spirit of the ADA will benefit all of us.

 Some higher education institutions where I’ve worked mention that they look to what the clinical sites will “allow” and use that as the basis for student admissions into their nursing programs. What is your reaction to this?

That may be the reality for some programs, but that does not make it right. If the university or college is receiving federal funds, the ADA applies. Nursing programs often rely on “what a clinical site will allow,” but their larger responsibility is to uphold the law and provide reasonable accommodation.

 What can nursing programs do to support exceptional nurses? What can be done to have a healthier view of seeing differently abled individuals as equals in the nursing field?

Faculty need to ask themselves, how we can meet the curriculum goals and provide the accommodation a student needs? Maybe it is time to look at other more accommodating clinical sites. Or provide an in-service to showcase the accomplishments of nurses with disabilities and what skills they can offer a facility (recognizing Covid limitations).

Another idea might be to invite nurses from facilities to a technology vendor–type show or webinar and have reps demonstrate how equipment/technology can help nurses with and without disabilities (amplified stethoscopes, Safe’N’Clear masks, etc.).

 Build resources (books, videos, etc.) that help faculty understand how students can be accommodated. Some nursing faculty (not all) need to do a better job advocating for all students to be accepted at a facility. Work towards your program being a role model of acceptance for other programs. Research the topic and get papers published.

 This is a great example. Covid actually opened doors for nurses who use wheelchairs:

Disabled Nurses Find Covid-19 Silver Lining; Hope For More Inclusive Future

 Outside of your website, what other resources or support are available for exceptional nurses?

Websites

• College and university Disability Services offices
• Department of Labor Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
• National Organization of Nurses With Disabilities (NOND)

YouTube

• I’m a Nurse With a Cochlear Implant: How I Succeed as a Deaf Nurse (9:01)
• One Handed Nursing Student | My Experience (11:25)
• The Disabled Nurse: Focus on Abilities (6:24)

Blogs

          A Nurse With Albinism and Vision Impairment

         Blind Nurse Colleen Collins, a LightHouse Employment Immersion Client, Lands a Job at       American Care Quest

How would you advise someone considering a nursing career who lives with a disability?

Cast a wide net for career opportunities. There is a place for everyone! If one door closes, move to the next door. The possibilities are endless—from the bedside to case management, telephone triage, legal nurse consulting and writing, teaching online, and becoming an entrepreneur. Consider using your nursing background to start a health-related consulting business, or become a clown or humorist, certified yoga instructor, Reiki master, massage therapist, personal chef, inventor, blogger, fitness coach, holistic nutritionist, cosmetic tattoo artist, tutor for nursing students, host a radio show, or design apparel for people with disabilities.

 Read everything you can get your hands on regarding success stories of other nurses with disabilities and reach out to organizations for support.

Some references to explore:

·         Dupler, A. E., Allen, C., Maheady, D. C., Fleming, S. E., & Allen, M. (2012). Leveling the playing field for nursing students with disabilities: Implications of the amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Journal of Nursing Education, 51(3), 140–144.

·         Matt S. B., Fleming S. E., & Maheady, D. C. (2015). Creating disability inclusive work environments for our aging nursing workforce. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 45(6), 325–330.

·         Matt, S. B., Maheady, D., & Fleming, S E. (2015). Educating nursing students with disabilities: Replacing essential functions with technical standards for program entry criteria. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 28(4), 461–468.

Thanks to Dr. Maheady for sharing her expertise with us! If you would like to learn more about the Exceptional Nurse, visit the sites below or contact Dr. Maheady at exceptionalnurse@aol.com.

          Exceptional Nurse Website

• Exceptional Nurse Blog
• Exceptional Nurse Coloring Book

*Fatenah Issa is an Instructional Designer II with Orbis Education. This interview was previously published in the Orbis Education "Hub" blog.

Cheers!

Donna 

 

Putting the spotlight on Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) with disabilities

 

                                                                                    Carolyn McKinzie, LPN

Carolyn McKinzie returned to work as a nurse following a below the knee amputation. She has held various nursing positions since then. In addition she is an author, blogger and Amputee Nurse consultant.

In an article she wrote for AbledAmputees.org she stated,

"My right below-knee amputation was the result of an auto accident when I was 32. I would undergo several surgeries to try and repair the damage done from the crushing injury to my lower leg. There were infections, hardware exchanges and bone grafts. But despite all of those, I would lose it anyway.

It would end up being the best thing for me, but there are still some down days. Not all the time, but once and awhile. I used to fight those moods and tell myself I needed to stay positive. One day I realized that I had earned the right to have an occasional “poor me” day." 

Read more about Carolyn at Amputee Nurse Consultant/Carolyn McKinzie, LPN, RBKA, https://www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion_online/inmotion-27-05-web/6/, https://www.abledamputees.org/staff-writers,https://www.abledamputees.org/single-post/2014/11/09/ups-and-downs-by-carolyn-mckinzie-lpn-rbka  and http://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2017/12/self-defense-and-responsible-gun.html

                                                                               Britny Bensman, LPN

Britny Bensman is an LPN who is deaf. She studied biology at Gallaudet and while there learned sign language (ASL). She went on to study nursing at Hondros College of Nursing. She practices as a nurse and also teaches sign language (ASL).

A story reported by Chaunie Brusie states,"Bensman also started her own social media account, Deaf Med in 2016. Her Instagram account features stories of other deaf and hard-of-hearing nurses, along with tips, inspiration, and education. The social media trailblazer notes that simply sharing stories from other hard-of-hearing and deaf medical professionals have opened eyes and allowed others to turn negative experiences into positive ones."

Read more about Britny at https://nurse.org/articles/being-a-deaf-hearing-loss-nurse/, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWbsyC3gT87WqHl1PnZVeYg and https://m.facebook.com/access.deafmed/posts/?ref=page_internal

                                                                                     Michelle DiGiacomo, LPN

In a guest blog post, Michelle DiGiacomo wrote about her tracheostomy and becoming an LPN. "I am hardly qualified to dole out words of wisdom as I am still trying to figure it out myself. I can say that taking the power back was key for me.  If I allowed my trach to steal my future, then it truly would be a disabling condition. I had to carry on as I would have without it. I lost a lot of time being angry about what amounts to a botched surgery that I didn't need in the first place. Once I decided that I would pursue my career and socialize again, this issue could no longer hurt me. I am living my life and enjoying the same ups and downs as everyone else. I also learned that before I could put actions behind my decisions I had to accept my difference. Once it was no longer a problem for me, it would no longer be a problem for anyone else."

Read more about Michelle in her own words at https://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2017/10/breath-of-nurse-with-tracheostomy.html

Cheers!

Donna