Understanding dyslexia and nurse education in the clinical setting

SummaryClinical practice and dyslexia is becoming an important topic with the introduction of disability legislation and changes in nursing school entrance requirements. This paper considers the issues surrounding nursing and dyslexia, drawing on the available evidence. Firstly, the strengths dyslexics can bring to nursing are considered, along with difficulties they can experience, although the evidence is limited, with papers being anecdotal or speculative at times. The attitudes of institutions and healthcare professionals towards dyslexia are also addressed, along with what they can do to support dyslexic nurses and student nurses. Strategies for individual students are also suggested, which nursing educators could encourage students to use. Finally, the issue of disclosure is discussed, and suggested reasons why some dyslexic students choose not to disclose.