Getting through nursing school with a learning disability will be challenging, but it need not stop anyone from becoming a nurse. One of the most important things going forward is to understand the added difficulties of each disability and how it affects the life of the nursing student.
Nurses with learning disabilities often build routines into their day that help them counteract whatever difficulties their disability adds to their day.
Before entering nursing school, research what effects the learning disability has on their daily routine and what steps help alleviate the proposed challenges. There is no shame in a learning disability. People with learning disabilities interact with the world differently, and that different perspective makes them incredible assets to any team of nurses. In nursing school and beyond, it is important to build a routine that ensures maximum effectiveness each and every day.
ADHD and Dyslexia are two common disabilities for students in nursing school, and they affect students’ ability to focus on the task at hand and learn all the information they need for school.
While these are added challenges, with the right mindset and preparation, students with these conditions can excel in their classes.
Learning to Master a Disability and Nursing School
When someone is preparing for nursing school with a learning disability, they must understand what effects it has on schooling. If they have dyslexia, they may need to block out more time for getting through the material.
Listening to audio versions of the reading help with comprehension but will take more time during the day. For someone with ADHD, finding space away from distractions, like the library or a local cafe might help the student focus on their assignments.
No tip or strategy works for every student with a learning disability. It is up to them to figure out what combination of tips and routines creates the best environment for success.
Tailor the nursing school tips below with the specific symptoms of their learning disability to create an environment that is centered around succeeding in their studies. If they don’t know the effects of their learning disability, do some research on it! Gather a near-encyclopedic knowledge of the disability and all its effects.
From there, it is easier to create a routine that gives them enough time to complete all their assignments, study for their exams, and succeed in nursing school.
There are several available resources for students with learning disabilities. There is most likely an office for students with disabilities at the university, which is an important destination to understand the available accommodations and how they help alleviate the symptoms of the learning disability. It is important to gather all possible assistance. Students with learning disabilities do not need to suffer in silence in a curriculum that is not designed for them. They will need an official diagnosis, and from there they can also find more information about their learning disability, and what other resources their school has to offer.
Anyone with a disability can become a nurse.
They should not make things harder than they need to be by letting resources pass by the wayside. Nursing students need not feel pressure to let all of their peers know that they have a learning disorder like ADHD or dyslexia, but it is important to let the administration know. It is tempting to try and stick it out and minimize the symptoms, but that will only result in a much more challenging time in nursing school, and, as a nurse, the team must know if any of their members have a learning disability.
