From diagnosis to practice: embracing dyslexia in nursing

Introduction

Nursing has always been my calling, but as someone with dyslexia, my path to becoming a nurse was uniquely challenging. My journey has been marked by perseverance, self-discovery and a deep commitment to the nursing profession. In this article, I want to share my personal experiences with dyslexia, explain how it shaped my nursing career and offer insights for fellow nurses who might be navigating similar challenges.

The diagnosis journey

My fascination with nursing began at a young age, and I pursued this passion through school and college. Despite my enthusiasm, I faced persistent difficulties with reading textbooks and drafting patient care plans. These challenges were often frustrating, but I thought of them as personal shortcomings rather than a broader pattern.

It was not until I started my master’s degree at university that I received my dyslexia diagnosis, 6 years after qualifying as a nurse. A lecturer had suggested