By
Andrea Thomson and Joanne Winsor Murray
January 2024
Print Version
What you need to know
Nurses with disabilities hold a crucial role in the healthcare workforce, and given their lived experiences, they have the potential to improve patient care. However, these nurses often experience stigma, marginalization, discrimination, and ableism. They are likely to encounter workplace barriers such as a lack of accessibility, unsupportive workplaces, and challenges related to disability disclosure.
Why this research is important
There was little to no available literature specific to the experiences of mental health nurses who experience disabilities. These perspectives are important to capture to better understand the unique experiences of those in this nursing specialty.
How this research was conducted
Interpretive description was applied as the research method to answer the following questions: What are the perspectives and experiences of mental health nurses who experience disabilities? What practices facilitate or limit the inclusion of mental health nurses who experience disabilities? Ten mental health nurses who self-identified with disabilities were interviewed. The participants also provided details on workplace accommodations provided (or not provided) during their nursing practice.
What the researchers found
The experiences as a mental health nurse and the accommodations provided differed based on the practice setting. Overall, participants reported that community-based settings were more accommodating compared to acute and long-term care. In addition, the risk of encountering violence while at work was concerning for participants, especially those employed in acute care settings. Experiences of violence while at work could lead to new onset or worsening symptoms of mental and physical disabilities. Stigma and discrimination perpetuated by colleagues and management were also noted. Regardless of the type of disability or the workplace setting, the factor that led to success and positive experiences involved supportive leadership.
The experience of disability was often described from a strengths-based perspective. The participants discussed adapting to the challenges noted to provide safe, competent, and ethical care. They noted the importance of fitness to practice, self-care, and taking an active role in their recovery as well as their nursing practice. In addition, the experience of disability enhanced invaluable empathy, compassion, and advocacy skills.
How this research can be used
Mental health nurses with disabilities are required to adapt with and without support from employers. The ability to adapt provided them with many strengths, yet multiple barriers remain. Supportive leaders and/or management was the most common factor that led to success and positive experiences regarding workplace inclusion. A supportive, trusting approach from management that leaned toward integrating nurses with disability as opposed to just ‘accommodating’ them was associated with improved inclusion.
About the Researchers
Keywords
- accomodations
- disability
- mental health nursing
Publications Based on the Research
Thomson, A. E., & Winsor Murray, J. (2023). Mental health nurses who experience disabilities: Adapting to workplace barriers. Issues in Mental Health Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2023.2266849
Editor: Christiane Ramsey
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