Overcoming Obstacles: The Stories of Nursing and Psychiatric Nursing Students With Disabilities.

Abstract

Background: Efforts should be made to promote inclusion of people with disabilities within nursing education. However, nursing students have reported inaccessible educational instruction, challenges accessing accommodations, and discriminatory practices.

Method: Narrative inquiry was used to explore the stories of six nursing and psychiatric nursing students who self-identify with disabilities.

Results: The stories shared included experiences during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, self-disclosure, use of accommodations and adaptive technology, experiences of stigma, and overcoming obstacles. The narratives highlighted the added challenges of balancing classroom requirements with clinical practice responsibilities. As a result of the competing demands, participants experienced burnout.

Conclusion: Despite legislative mandates, inclusive practices in nursing education continue to be overlooked. Focusing on strengths, providing appropriate accommodations, and fostering a culture of inclusivity and support can ensure aspiring nurses have equal opportunities to pursue their education and contribute to the nursing profession. [J Nurs Educ. 2025;64(2):109-114.].