Hi Everyone,
I am Dyspraxic and Dyslexic, and due to qualify as a nurse in a few months time. I'm so scared, I'm freaking out about gettin a job, doing a job, everything! I am hoping that this forum will be able to give me some needed suppourt. If there anyone who can offer me some advice, it would be much appreciated.
Newbie
Moderator: Moderator Team
Re: Newbie
hi Vikki
First of all welcome to the forum - I hope you can find some usefull infomation on hear
Like many on this forum I am dyslexic and dyspraxic as well so I understand what its like and working etc.
First of all welcome to the forum - I hope you can find some usefull infomation on hear
Like many on this forum I am dyslexic and dyspraxic as well so I understand what its like and working etc.
The real Mr Potato Head
Re: Newbie
Hi Vikki,
I'm also new to this site, and only recently realised, at 36, that I'm Dyspraxic. Well done for coming to the end of your nursing course (I always wanted to do nursing but thought I was too clumsy)
First off, I think you're dyspraxia and dyslexia will actually give you advantages in Nursing, since you may well be more compassionate and empathetic towards those who struggle with movement and understanding. You're also likely to be very determined and hard-working!
I work in care myself, as a support worker, and do struggle with "moving and handling" in particular (using hoists etc.) so if you share this difficulty, I would ask for as much support and practice with these as possible. It helps me to practice continually, write down the sequence and even to video others performing the sequence to watch it back. For obvious reasons, speed is often necessary with tasks like this but difficult for dyspraxics, so I would ensure you have the appropriate time to learn e.g. practising on friends (it helps if the friends aren't also dyspraxic, as my friend Cazzzzzy - who told me about this forum - and I found to our cost when working together!
).
I would definitely be upfront with your employer about what you need help with. They have an legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments, and are likely to be more sympathetic when you get into difficulty if you have explained what is tricky for you.
Finally, if you haven't already seen it, I'd really recommend reading the Royal College of Nursing's Dyspraxia and Dyslexia Toolkit (google it), which seems very useful.
Best of luck, Elizabeth.
I'm also new to this site, and only recently realised, at 36, that I'm Dyspraxic. Well done for coming to the end of your nursing course (I always wanted to do nursing but thought I was too clumsy)
First off, I think you're dyspraxia and dyslexia will actually give you advantages in Nursing, since you may well be more compassionate and empathetic towards those who struggle with movement and understanding. You're also likely to be very determined and hard-working!
I work in care myself, as a support worker, and do struggle with "moving and handling" in particular (using hoists etc.) so if you share this difficulty, I would ask for as much support and practice with these as possible. It helps me to practice continually, write down the sequence and even to video others performing the sequence to watch it back. For obvious reasons, speed is often necessary with tasks like this but difficult for dyspraxics, so I would ensure you have the appropriate time to learn e.g. practising on friends (it helps if the friends aren't also dyspraxic, as my friend Cazzzzzy - who told me about this forum - and I found to our cost when working together!
).I would definitely be upfront with your employer about what you need help with. They have an legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments, and are likely to be more sympathetic when you get into difficulty if you have explained what is tricky for you.
Finally, if you haven't already seen it, I'd really recommend reading the Royal College of Nursing's Dyspraxia and Dyslexia Toolkit (google it), which seems very useful.
Best of luck, Elizabeth.
Re: Newbie
hi vikki,
welcome to this site,i've picked up alot of usefull info on here & welldone with nursing
,like elizabeth i too wanted to do my nursing but scared that i would forget what im doing or not follow instructions well !!!,but i have worked in care for 26yrs and havent killed anyone 
which is good ha ha.i only found out in june 11 at the age of 42 that im dyspraxic and traits of dyslexia,but now i know things are falling in to place and i dont feel like an idiot anymore,but still coming to terms with it too.
anyway hope you find the forum handy
hugs caz xx
welcome to this site,i've picked up alot of usefull info on here & welldone with nursing
,like elizabeth i too wanted to do my nursing but scared that i would forget what im doing or not follow instructions well !!!,but i have worked in care for 26yrs and havent killed anyone which is good ha ha.i only found out in june 11 at the age of 42 that im dyspraxic and traits of dyslexia,but now i know things are falling in to place and i dont feel like an idiot anymore,but still coming to terms with it too.anyway hope you find the forum handy
hugs caz xx