Keywords

accommodation, Americans With Disabilities Act, disability, nursing faculty, nursing students

 

Authors

  1. Elting, Julie Kientz EdD, RN, CNE
  2. Avit, Elaina BSN, RN
  3. Gordon, Rebecca BSN, RN

Abstract

Background: Students with physical disabilities continue to face barriers seeking entry into nursing programs even as the nursing profession advocates vigorously for the rights of these individuals.

 

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify faculty perceptions that create barriers for students with physical disabilities to meet the requirements of a BSN education.

 

Methods: Nursing faculty (n = 111) completed an online survey about the ability of a student who uses a wheelchair for mobility to meet required outcomes.

 

Results: Participants believed students could meet the 14 cognitive and affective domain outcomes (88%-100%) for generalist practice. Their agreement that students could meet psychomotor domain outcomes was lower (66%-90%). Younger faculty expressed more positive perceptions.

 

Conclusions: Using the psychomotor requirements of bedside nursing as the technical standard for nursing education is a barrier for students with physical disabilities. Faculty should expand their perceptions of the essentials of nursing education to create an inclusive environment.