Working with a disability 

If you are experiencing mid to long term health issues, have an impairment, are neurodiverse and/or consider yourself to be disabled, our Peer Support Service can help.

As the name suggests, the service’s core offer is to put you in touch with other RCN members to talk about the issues that matter to you for mutual support and to share experiences by telephone or email. We also have a closed Facebook group.

We talk about the most effective ways to support healthcare professionals who are disabled at work and use the lived experience of our members to educate and inspire. If you’d like to tell your story then get in touch at peer.support@rcn.org.uk

 

 

Universities are generally well versed in how to support students with impairments, however you might find that you have access issues once you go on placement. This might arise from:

• your fear about disclosing your disability

• lack of shared information between university and placement

• lack of knowledge about how to support colleagues with disabilities amongst placement staff

• incorrect assumptions about the implications of a disability for being able to perform a nursing role.

However, we know that students with impairments can, and do, complete nursing degrees and go on to work as nurses.

A diverse cohort brings benefits for all as student with protected characteristics bring valuable lived experience, increased resilience and resourcefulness.