Work Experiences of Nurses with Self-Identified Disabilities

Globally and in Canada, meaningful participation of disabled people in the labour market is a relatively new occurrence. While the literature about disabled people's experiences and perceptions related to employment is established, very little is known about disabled nurses' work experiences. The aim of this study was to produce a rich descriptive account of the practise experiences of disabled registered nurses (RNs) from their perspectives.

The research aim was addressed through a qualitative descriptive study that explored the perspectives and experiences of study participants. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 female RNs residing and working in the province of Ontario. Data was analyzed using conventional content analysis and presented as textual summaries organized under categories.

The study found that participants' experiences of practising with a disability were a mix of positive and negative aspects strongly influenced by factors relating to workplace milieu such as interactions with others in the work environment. Participants identified a greater number of facilitators to practising with a disability than barriers; however, the barriers identified corresponded with actual or desired facilitators. 

The findings of this study contribute meaningfully to knowledge on the topic of disabled nurses' work experiences by confirming the findings of previous studies and addressing the scarcity of detailed accounts on the topic. Additionally, the study lends support to a more universal understanding of nurses' work experiences that is not US-centric.

The findings signal that the organizations and institutions that employ disabled nurses need to be more responsive to their situations and address barriers impeding their success. In the context of education, the findings encourage self-reflection and actions that will support the success of disabled students and inculcate positive attitudes and behaviours towards disabled nurses. Lastly, the findings highlight several areas where further research could be undertaken to inform policy, educational curricula, and attitudes and behaviours related to disabled nurses.