Nurses with disabilities: their job descriptions and work expectations. 2014

Leslie Neal-Boylan
School of Nursing, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT, USA.

OBJECTIVE To explore whether the job descriptions of registered nurses with disabilities actually match the work required by the job. METHODS This exploratory qualitative study used constant comparative analysis to simultaneously collect and analyze the data. METHODS Newsletters and magazines for nurses as well as the snowball method were used to advertise for participants. Participants were asked to submit to an in-person or telephone audiotaped interview that utilized an unstructured interview guide. A coding structure was developed as themes emerged. Participant verification helped to ensure trustworthiness of the data. RESULTS Results confirmed findings from previous studies and found that nurses with disabilities who stay in nursing choose a job they can do, know and accept their limitations, have supervisors who are not nurses or who have a disability, and get accommodations so they can work. They rarely receive job descriptions, but it is assumed they can do the work because they are nurses. CONCLUSIONS Nurse job descriptions are frequently not available or are inaccurate. There are jobs in nursing that nurses with disabilities can do competently and efficiently. Facilities and agencies should strive to retain these nurses and utilize their skills and expertise rather than focusing on what they are unable to do in the same way as a nurse without a disability. CONCLUSIONS Nurses with disabilities are leaving nursing because they are not valued for their knowledge or abilities and are often prejudged because of the disability. The profession cannot afford to lose these nurses.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007587 Job Description Statement of the position requirements, qualifications for the position, wage range, and any special conditions expected of the employee. Position Description,Description, Job,Description, Position,Descriptions, Job,Descriptions, Position,Job Descriptions,Position Descriptions
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009740 Nursing Staff Personnel who provide nursing service to patients in an organized facility, institution, or agency. Nursing Staffs,Staff, Nursing,Staffs, Nursing
D010559 Personnel Management Planning, organizing, and administering all activities related to personnel. Client-Staff Ratio,Client Staff Ratio,Client-Staff Ratios,Management, Personnel,Ratio, Client-Staff,Ratios, Client-Staff
D011287 Prejudice A preconceived judgment made without factual basis. Anti-Semitism,Islamophobia,Anti Semitism,Anti-Semitisms,Islamophobias,Prejudices
D005260 Female Females
D006233 Disabled Persons Persons with physical or mental disabilities that affect or limit their activities of daily living and that may require special accommodations. Handicapped,People with Disabilities,Persons with Disabilities,Physically Challenged,Physically Handicapped,Physically Disabled,Disabilities, People with,Disabilities, Persons with,Disability, Persons with,Disabled Person,Disabled, Physically,Handicapped, Physically,People with Disability,Person, Disabled,Persons with Disability,Persons, Disabled
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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