4 Trailblazing Nurses Proving Disabilities Can’t Stop Their Passion or Ability to Provide Care
The nursing profession is known for its demanding nature, requiring physical stamina, mental acuity, and emotional resilience. However, many talented nurses face additional challenges due to disabilities. Recent developments in policy, advocacy, and support systems are paving the way for a more inclusive healthcare environment that recognizes the valuable contributions of nurses with disabilities.
These four nurses with disabilities are breaking barriers and transforming healthcare, proving that physical limitations don’t define their capabilities or passion for patient care.
Amber Jones made history as the first paraplegic student to graduate from Galen College of Nursing in Florida. After a car accident in 2016 left her paralyzed from the waist down, Jones pursued her dream of becoming a nurse. She now works as an emergency room nurse at an HCA Healthcare Florida hospital, demonstrating that determination can overcome any obstacle. The mother of six said, “Despite whatever happens to you, it’s possible to be something still and follow your dreams.”
Via Facebook
Lindsey Runkel, a 2019 graduate of UConn’s Certificate Entry into Nursing Program, was hired by Yale New Haven Hospital within weeks of graduation. As a wheelchair user, Runkel has been working on the transplant floor since January 2020, including through the COVID-19 pandemic. When she started, one hospital colleague asked, “How could you be a nurse here? I think you’re going to be an infection risk.” Runkel replied: “I’ve worked on units before, I’ve gone through all my clinicals, I know how to do infection precautions just like every other nurse does. Have you asked HR what you’re asking me?”
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Meagan Prehn, a pediatric neurology nurse at Pediatrix Specialty Care of Austin, became wheelchair-bound after a car accident at age 11. Inspired by the nurses who cared for her during her recovery, Prehn pursued a nursing career despite the challenges. She continues to inspire patients and colleagues alike. The parents of one wheelchair patient she discharged said, “We’re so impressed to see a nurse in a wheelchair. Our son wants to go to medical school, but we haven’t gotten a positive response from other people.”
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Andrea Dalzell, known as “the seated nurse,” became New York state’s first wheelchair-using registered nurse in 2018. Diagnosed with transverse myelitis at age 5, Dalzell faced numerous obstacles but persevered, eventually securing a position as a med-surg nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said, “When I’m the one rolling in the room, [the patients] understand that I’ve already been through something, so there’s a vulnerability there that I can touch that most nurses will never see unless they disclose that they have their own disability.”
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Federal and Advocacy Efforts to Expand Workplace Accommodations for Nurses
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a landmark civil rights law enacted in 1990 that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, education, transportation, and access to public and private spaces. Other employment laws have followed, and YES – these laws apply to nurses too!
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been at the forefront of efforts to create a more inclusive workplace for healthcare professionals with disabilities. Through its Selective Placement Program Coordinators (SPPC), the HHS actively recruits, hires, and accommodates individuals with disabilities in various roles, including nursing. This program represents a significant step forward in recognizing the potential of nurses with disabilities and providing them with the necessary support to thrive in their careers.
The SPPC offers a range of services, including job counseling, assistance with resume preparation, and guidance on the federal hiring process. Moreover, it plays a crucial role in ensuring that reasonable accommodations are made available to employees with disabilities, allowing them to perform their duties effectively.
Professional nursing organizations also play an increasingly vital role in advocating for better workplace standards that benefit all nurses, including those with disabilities. The California Nurses Association (CNA) and National Nurses United (NNU) are at the forefront of these efforts, pushing for improved working conditions and safe staffing ratios.
To create a more inclusive environment for nurses with disabilities, healthcare organizations should:
- Provide reasonable accommodations: Advocate for inclusive accommodations and benefits that allow disabled nurses to fully utilize their skills.
- Eliminate physical barriers: Consult with disabled nurses when purchasing new equipment and establish a budget for accessible devices.
- Offer flexible scheduling: Reduce mandatory overtime and provide frequent breaks to minimize physical and mental fatigue.
- Promote education and awareness: Engage with organizations like the National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities (NOND) to access educational and advocacy resources.
- Encourage mentorship: Connect nurses with disabilities to mentors and support networks, such as Exceptional Nurse, founded by Donna Maheady, a pediatric nurse practitioner and nursing educator who has a daughter with HNRNPU, a de novo genetic mutation.
By implementing these strategies, healthcare organizations can create a more inclusive environment that values the unique perspectives and skills of nurses with disabilities. As these trailblazing nurses have shown, physical limitations do not diminish one’s ability to provide compassionate, high-quality care. Their stories serve as powerful reminders that with determination and support, nurses with disabilities can thrive in the healthcare profession and inspire both colleagues and patients alike. 💜
