Congratulations to the 2020 ExceptionalNurse.com scholarship winners!!!!

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, autism and chronic 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 resource network 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 articles.

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 many sources, we were able to award eight $500.00 scholarships.

ExceptionalNurse.com is honored to announce the winners for 2020!!!

          

Megan Highland from Yankton, SD will be attending Mitchell Technical Institute in South Dakota. In her essay she stated, "I will be able to support the family of young children to explain the process, what to expect and show them that this disease can be managed....I will use myself as a living example of what can be accomplished."

Madelyn Jones from Ottumwa, IA will be attending Indian Hills Community in Iowa. In her essay she wrote, "...I want to give comfort, love and peace to others when they need it most. This is why I have decided to become a nurse."

Kirsten Dreps from Liberty, PA will be attending Mansfield University in Pennsylvania. She wrote, "I know what it is like to be in the hospital, and I know the value of a good bedside manner. I can use my understanding of life with a disability to help other patients cope".

Mikayla Lawless from Groveland, MA will continue her studies in the School of Nursing at Endicott College in Massachusetts. In her essay she stated, "Nursing is an incredible piece of humanity that not many people get to experience. I would be honored to have the privilege to watch people grow after a traumatic injury."

Haley Gaines from Martin, GA will continue her studies in the BSN program at Augusta University in Georgia. Haley wrote, "I hope to leave an impact on the world through my struggles of diabetes, education and perseverance to never give up! My personal experiences have helped to shape my future. As strange as it sounds, diabetes has become more than my life; it has become part of my future!"

Emory Sanders from Ballwin, MO will be attending the University of Missouri-Columbia. In her essay she wrote, "I know how scary it is to be told that you have something wrong with your body. But I want to give my patients hope that they can push past it and find inspiration to fight it....I want to show them that having a disability doesn't limit your abilities in any way. It can only make you stronger as a person."

Aimee Milota from Elk Grove, CA will be attending Grand Canyon University in Arizona..  Aimee wrote, "I spent 15 years in and out of hospitals....The nurses in the hospital were there for me. They helped me get through every day....I plan on being the hardest worker...Many people see my disability as a barrier, but I see it as an inspiration to keep working harder."

Skylar Allen from Lancaster, OH will attend Capital University in Ohio.  Skylar wrote in her essay, "I decided that I will use my disease as a driving force, rather than a crutch, to make a difference in peoples' lives.I want to be a hope for little girls and boys who have lost hope. I want to be the light in the midst of the darkness of disease for children."
                                     

                       Congratulations and best wishes to all!! 

The ExceptionalNurse.com scholarship awards are funded through donations, small grants and proceeds from book sales of “The Exceptional Nurse: Tales from the trenches of truly resilient nurses working with disabilities”, “Leave No Nurse Behind: Nurses working with disabilities”, “Nursing students with disabilities change the course” and the coloring book "I am a nurse: Color me Exceptional! To make a donation or access the application, please visit www.ExceptionalNurse.com. 

Appreciate your support!

        With thanks, 

Donna

A case for hiring nurses with disabilities for contact tracing positions

Contact tracing

Reports indicate that the number of contact tracers needed related to Covid-19 range from 100,000-300,000 or more.

 

Qualifications to work as a contact tracer vary by state. Some local and state health departments only require a high school diploma and other state and local health departments are looking for people with a public health or nursing background. Some contact tracers are paid and some are volunteers.

Contact tracing is an art and a science. Establishing a good rapport with the contact is essential. Contact tracers need to have a good rapport with people in order to encourage a person to provide personal information about their health and contacts. When done well, the work involved in contact tracing can be tedious and demanding. Over time, it can also take an emotional toll on the interviewer. 

Nurses with disabilities (e.g. multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, epilepsy and chronic illnesses) can hit the ground running. Voted the most "trusted profession", nurses understand medical terms, know how to establish relationships with people, maintain privacy and cultural sensitivity, and provide health related teaching. Nurses are resourceful and have experience making referrals to community supports and documenting their assessments and findings. 

Many nurses with disabilities have years of experience and are now unable to work at the bedside. Often, they are eager to return to work. For some, a part-time position would work well. Others are in need of a full-time position with benefits. Virtual positions are ideal for many.

Deaf nurses can work with contacts who are deaf using sign language and lip reading.  Nurses with low vision can use screen readers. Still others speak a language other than English.

The skills and "lived experiences" of nurses with disabilities add to their abilities to connect with people. They have been on both sides of the "bed".

State and local health departments should put nurses with disabilities at the front of the line! 

For more information:

https://www.npr.org/2020/05/19/858977831/contact-tracing-helps-scientists-to-study-the-ways-the-coronavirus-spreads

https://money.usnews.com/careers/articles/how-to-find-a-job-as-a-contact-tracer

https://money.usnews.com/careers/articles/how-to-find-a-job-as-a-contact-tracer

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/principles-contact-tracing.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/health/coronavirus-contact-tracing-jobs.html

Cheers!

Donna

Help for Indiana nurses stuck on suspension due to Covid-19

Lorie Brown, RN, JD

Channel RTV6 Indianapolis aired a piece about nurses on suspension in Indiana.

"Nurses who are on probation are forced to stay on suspension longer than expected because of COVID-19, the virus they could help fight if they were working."

"Dozens of nurses are waiting for the Indiana State Board of Nursing to reinstate their licenses, but they're not considering license suspensions right now."

"Lorie Brown is both a nurse and attorney. She's fighting for nurses who are currently suspended or on probation to return and aid in the fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic."

"There are nurses right now who are ready, willing and able to work," Brown said. "Their suspension time where they're eligible to petition the board to lift it is over. But since the board isn't meeting in person, they are not meeting to determine if these nurses suspensions can be lifted."

To view the "Hiring Hoosiers" segment, click on
https://www.theindychannel.com/news/hiring-hoosiers/health-services/hiring-hoosiers-nurses-stuck-on-suspension-longer-than-expected

To contact Lorie Brown at Brown Law visit: https://yournurseattorney.com/our-team/

Stay safe!!!

Donna

P.S. Lorie is the real deal! I wrote a chapter, "Disabled Nurse Power: Stand, Sit or Roll in it!"in her book From Frustrated to Fulfilled.
https://empowerednurses.org/nurses-bedside/empowered-nurses-system/?cookieUUID=4ecfafba-e2d1-49f2-aa21-ddfc1e9acffd

Inspiration for nurses with disabilities from Vincent Van Gogh and Doctor Who

Vincent van Gogh - Self Portrait, 1887 at Art Institute of Chicago

Vincent Willem van Gogh was a Dutch post-impressionist painter. He created about 2,100 artworks but only sold one painting during his lifetime. His work is characterized by bold color, and expressive brushwork. He struggled with mental illness for years, including aggressive actions toward others, and self injurious acts of cutting off part of his ear and commiting suicide at the age of 37.

In the following video clip from the BBC, the Doctor and Amy Pond give the viewer a remarkable glimpse at what it would be like for Van Gogh to see the later success of his work, through a 21 century visit to the Musee d'Orsay in Paris.

The inspirational message for nurses with disabilities includes,"Take all your chances while you can" and "turn your passion and pain into beauty". 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubTJI_UphPk

Cheers!

Donna

Top 10 blog post about nurses with disabilities in 2019

Let's take a look back on 2019! These are the top 10 Exceptional Nurse blog posts about nurses with disabilities. 

Legally deaf nursing student who uses a wheelchair is hero

trying to save BART stabbing victim

Sophia Humphrey, Nursing student

https://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2019/12/legally-deaf-nursing-student-who-uses.html

Meet the Rollin' RNs

https://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/search?q=rollin+Rns

Congratulations to the 2019 www.ExceptionalNurse.com Scholarship recipients!

https://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2019/08/congratulations-to-2019.html

SafeNClear "The Communicator Mask": A continuing education program for nurses

https://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2019/03/safenclear-communicator-mask-continuing.html

Think you can't do something? Take a look at Manami Ito, the first nurse in Japan with a prosthetic arm

Manami Ito

https://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2019/07/think-you-cant-do-something-take-look.html

I am a nurse: Color me Exceptional!

https://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2019/07/i-am-nurse-color-me-exceptional.html

Nurses who use wheelchairs are on a roll---all over the world!

https://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2019/10/nurses-who-use-wheelchairs-are-on-roll.html

For nurses who can't get the flu shot or don't want the flu shot

https://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2019/09/for-nurses-who-cant-or-dont-want-flu.html

Hospital disinfectants linked to lung disease in nurses 

https://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/2019/10/hospital-disinfectants-linked-to-lung.html

A nurse with albinism and vision impairment

https://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/search?q=albinism

Happy New Year!

Cheers!

Donna 

Legally deaf nursing student who uses a wheelchair is hero trying to save BART stabbing victim

Sophia Humphrey, Nursing student

     The San Francisco Chronicle reported......"Grabbing her phone discreetly, she texted police through an app that helps deaf people communicate, telling them she needed a police response to an assault aboard a moving train.

     Brim threw more blows at Williams and wrestled him to the ground, Humphrey said. At some point, a knife emerged. Humphrey didn’t see who pulled it out, but authorities later said it belonged to Williams. She knew then the situation had changed, and could turn fatal. Instinct kicked in. At 91 pounds, she knew she could not intervene without risking her life. But she had to do something. 

     Brim stabbed Williams in the neck. Then he stabbed him again, and again. A total of five to 10 times, Humphrey estimated. Thick, dark blood pooled on the floor.

     She desperately texted police to send an ambulance and to stop the train. It pulled into the South Hayward Station and Humphrey saw Brim flee, strip off his blue hoodie and run down the stairs. 

     Humphrey dropped her phone and slipped on the plastic gloves she had in her bag. She lifted herself from her chair, lunged onto the floor and wriggled over to Williams. He was gripping the wounds on his neck, but she replaced his hands with her own to apply pressure to the wound.

     Later, Humphrey, who is trained in first aid, realized that the experience erased the doubts she had just the day before about becoming a nurse. She knew she could handle herself well in an emergency. She said she was grateful she was there."

Read more of this harrowing story at:
https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/Witness-to-BART-killing-says-victim-had-defended-14853795.php

https://www.facebook.com/TheDailyMoth/videos/428104258079302/

Bravo Sophia!!!!

Donna

Hospital disinfectants linked to lung disease in nurses

The JAMA Network Open shared the results of this important study.

"The Nurses’ Health Study II is a US prospective cohort study of 116 429 female registered nurses from 14 US states who were enrolled in 1989 and followed up through questionnaires every 2 years since. The present study included women who were still in a nursing job and had no history of COPD in 2009, and used data from the 2009 through 2015 questionnaires. Clean and complete data used for this analysis were available in July 2018, and analyses were conducted from September 2018 through August 2019.

Exposures  Occupational exposure to disinfectants, evaluated by questionnaire and a job-task-exposure matrix (JTEM).

Main Outcomes and Measures  Incident physician-diagnosed COPD evaluated by questionnaire.

Results  Among the 73 262 women included in the analyses, mean (SD) age at baseline was 54.7 (4.6) years and 70 311 (96.0%) were white, 1235 (1.7%) black, and 1716 (2.3%) other; and 1345 (1.8%) Hispanic, and 71 917 (98.2%) non-Hispanic. Based on 368 145 person-years of follow-up, 582 nurses reported incident physician-diagnosed COPD. Weekly use of disinfectants to clean surfaces only (16 786 [22.9%] of participants exposed) and to clean medical instruments (13 899 [19.0%] exposed) was associated with COPD incidence, with adjusted hazard ratios of 1.38 (95% CI, 1.13-1.68) for cleaning surfaces only and 1.31 (95% CI, 1.07-1.61) for cleaning medical instruments after adjustment for age, smoking (pack-years), race, ethnicity, and body mass index. High-level exposure, evaluated by the JTEM, to several specific disinfectants (ie, glutaraldehyde, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and quaternary ammonium compounds) was significantly associated with COPD incidence, with adjusted hazard ratios ranging from 1.25 (95% CI, 1.04-1.51) to 1.36 (95% CI, 1.13-1.64). Associations were not modified by smoking or asthma status (P for interaction > .15).

Conclusions and Relevance  These longitudinal results suggest that regular use of chemical disinfectants among nurses may be a risk factor for developing COPD. If future studies confirm these results, exposure-reduction strategies that are compatible with infection control in health care settings should be developed."

To read more visit:

Dumas, O., Varraso, R., Boggs, K.M. et al (2019, October 18). Association of Occupational Exposure to Disinfectants with incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among US female nurses, JAMA Network Open. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.13563

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2753247?utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_term=101819

Stay safe!

Donna