RCN Peer Support network - students
Find out more about the support we offer to students with lived experience of disability, neurodivergence and long-term conditions.
Student nurses with lived experience of disability, neurodivergence and long-term conditions are welcome here!
New Student Placement Adjustments Passport
Sign up now to receive our pilot guidance and contribute to developing this resource which helps students with lived experience of disability, neurodivergence and long term conditions to get the support they need on placement.
Natasha's story
Natasha's story - a nursing student with ME and endometriosis
Natasha is starting her final year of the nursing degree. Pre-existing diagnoses of ME, Endometriosis and Dyslexia have not stopped her excelling.
Natasha shares:
- Why it's important to take ownership of your reasonable adjustment needs on placement
- The benefits of a diverse nursing workforce
- How placement providers can support students and staff with long-term conditions and/or disabilities
- Her hopes for the new RCN placement adjustments passport.
Many nursing staff work whilst managing their own health and disability issues whether acquired or pre-existing. Lived experience of working as a medical professional with a disability or neurodiversity is a great asset.
- Students with impairments can, and do, complete their courses and go on to be employed in the health care sector
- A diverse cohort brings benefits for all as students with protected characteristics bring valuable lived experience, increased resilience and resourcefulness.
- It is good practice to support nursing students to get the reasonable adjustments they need and often it is also a legal obligation.
The main barriers to inclusive healthcare placements are:
- The way information is shared between education provider and placement;
- Lack of knowledge about how to support colleagues with disabilities amongst placement staff;
- Incorrect assumptions about the implications of a disability for being able to perform a nursing role.
- Student’s fear about disclosing their disability (often due to the points above).
