Supporting nursing students with dyslexia in clinical practice

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Clinical Competence
• Learning Disabilities

Background:

• Dyslexia presents specific learning challenges.
• Understanding these challenges is vital for supporting nursing students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate clinical competence development in pre-registration nursing students with dyslexia.
• To identify challenges faced by these students.
• To explore effective support strategies and interventions.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative case study methodology.
• Semi-structured interviews with students, support, and teaching staff.
• Postal questionnaires from mentors and policy document review.
• A two-year longitudinal study of four students.

Main Results:

• Students experienced difficulties in information handling, role performance, and drug administration.
• Effective support included informal/formal networks, assistive technology, and personal strategies like rehearsing tasks.
• Positive mentor relationships and supportive environments were key to competence development.

Conclusions:

• Nursing students with dyslexia encounter specific practice-based learning difficulties.
• Individualized support is essential, acknowledging unique responses to challenges.
• Tailored interventions are necessary for successful clinical competence acquisition.