Overcoming Obstacles: The Stories of Nursing and Psychiatric Nursing Students With Disabilities

Efforts should be made to promote inclusion of people with disabilities within nursing education. However, nursing students have reported inaccessible educational instruction, challenges accessing accommodations, and discriminatory practices.

Narrative inquiry was used to explore the stories of six nursing and psychiatric nursing students who self-identify with disabilities.

The stories shared included experiences during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, self-disclosure, use of accommodations and adaptive technology, experiences of stigma, and overcoming obstacles. The narratives highlighted the added challenges of balancing classroom requirements with clinical practice responsibilities. As a result of the competing demands, participants experienced burnout.

Despite legislative mandates, inclusive practices in nursing education continue to be overlooked. Focusing on strengths, providing appropriate accommodations, and fostering a culture of inclusivity and support can ensure aspiring nurses have equal opportunities to pursue their education and contribute to the nursing profession. [.