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Nurses With Disabilities: Workplace Rights and Job Ideas

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Written by Ann Real, BSN, RN Content Writer, IntelyCare

Reviewed by Aldo Zilli, Esq. Senior Manager, B2B Content, IntelyCare

Nurses With Disabilities: Workplace Rights and Job Ideas

Nurses with disabilities bring unique perspectives and resilience to the healthcare field, proving that quality care isn’t limited by physical or mental challenges. Whether your disability is visible or invisible, you have rights that protect your place in the workforce — and countless opportunities to apply your expertise in ways that align with your strengths and capabilities.

In this article, we’ll explore the workplace protections you’re entitled to, share practical tips for navigating employment challenges, and highlight a variety of nursing roles — both clinical and non-clinical — where your skills can shine.

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Nurses With Disabilities: Facts and Stats

Prevalence: Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults — about 70 million people — live with a disability, while worldwide, about 16% of the population (around 1.3 billion people) experience some form of disability.
Employment gap: Around 22.7% of people with disabilities in the U.S. are employed, compared to 65.5% without disabilities.
In education: About 8.4% of U.S. nursing students report disabilities, with the most common being psychological, followed by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and chronic health issues.
In the workforce: About 6.6% of registered nurses (RNs) are unemployed due to disability, and 2.2% expect to retire or leave nursing within 5 years for disability-related reasons.

Workplace Rights for Nursing Professionals With Disabilities

Can someone with disabilities be a nurse? Absolutely. Nurses with disabilities have many protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in employment and other areas. This means that as long as a nurse can perform the essential functions of their job — with reasonable accommodations if needed — they cannot be denied opportunities or treated unfairly because of their disability.

But what does reasonable accommodation really mean? Here are some common ways it can be put into practice:

Reasonable accommodation	Examples
Modifying policies, practices, and procedures to ensure equal opportunities	Adjusting work hours or allowing flexible scheduling to accommodate medical appointments or other needs Allowing remote work or telehealth duties when possible Creating quiet or low-stimulation work areas for nurses with sensory sensitivities
Offering communication in formats that are clear and easy to understand	Providing qualified sign language interpreters for deaf nurses or patients Offering written materials in large print or braille for those with vision impairments Ensuring that digital tools and telehealth platforms meet accessibility standards
Ensuring physical accessibility of facilities	Creating wheelchair-accessible entrances, exam rooms, and restrooms Installing equipment like accessible exam tables, scales, and patient lifts Clearing pathways and making ergonomic workspace adjustments to meet mobility needs

Types of Disabilities

Wondering which nursing specialties are a great fit if you have a disability? The nursing field offers a wide range of opportunities to match different skills and abilities — from hands-on patient care to behind-the-scenes work and tech-driven roles.

Disabilities take on many shapes and forms, ranging from physical limitations to mental health challenges. Some are visible, others are not, but all can impact a person’s life. Here are several types of conditions that may result in a disability:

Cardiovascular system disorders
Congenital disorders that affect multiple body systems
Digestive disorders
Endocrine disorders
Genitourinary disorders
Hematological disorders
Immune system disorders
Malignant neoplastic diseases (cancers)
Mental disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders
Neurological disorders
Respiratory disorders
Skin disorders
Special senses and speech

Jobs for Nurses With Physical Disabilities

Depending on the type of disability you’re living with, certain nursing roles may be a better fit to support your health and well-being. Here are some categories of nursing jobs that may accommodate the needs and preferences of some people with disabilities:

1. Remote or Telehealth Roles

Remote nursing jobs can be a great option for nurses who want to avoid physically demanding tasks, such as lifting patients or walking for hours. Plus, these roles reduce exposure to workplace hazards, which is especially important for immunocompromised individuals. Remote work can also provide a quieter, more controlled environment, which can be beneficial for those sensitive to noise or easily triggered by busy settings.

Here are some examples of nursing jobs that can be done remotely:

Find telehealth nursing jobs, utilization review nurse jobs, and remote nursing jobs on IntelyCare.

2. Non-Bedside Nursing Jobs

Bedside nursing often involves physical tasks like helping patients move, repositioning them, and spending hours on your feet throughout the day. For those who find these demands challenging, non-bedside roles can offer a more manageable alternative. Here are some examples of nursing jobs that might suit some nurses with disabilities:

Find aesthetic nurse jobs on IntelyCare.

3. Administrative and Leadership Jobs

Nurses who enjoy overseeing operations, managing teams, or influencing policy might find administrative and leadership roles a great match. These jobs typically involve less physical demand and provide opportunities to improve healthcare systems — including making workplaces more accessible for nurses with disabilities.

Here are some examples of such roles:

Find manager-supervisor nurse jobs on IntelyCare.

4. Education Jobs

Nurses with disabilities who love teaching and mentoring often excel in education-focused roles. These positions can include classroom or online instruction, curriculum design, and providing support to students or faculty, with plenty of flexibility to accommodate different needs. Just keep in mind that some of these roles might require advanced degrees like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Examples of such roles include the following:

Find nurse educator jobs on IntelyCare.

Inspiring Nurses: Pursuing a Nursing Career With a Disability

Your abilities matter more than your disability. Many nursing roles can be adapted with reasonable accommodations, allowing nurses with certain physical or mental conditions to perform their job duties effectively while managing their health needs. These adaptations might include assistive devices, flexible scheduling, or modified job duties.

So, can people with disabilities work in healthcare?They not only can — they already are. Here are some examples of inspiring nurses who prove that ability is about so much more than physical limits:

Andrea Dalzell has lived with transverse myelitis since she was 5 and uses a wheelchair — but that didn’t stop her from becoming New York State’s first wheelchair-using ICU nurse and stepping up during the COVID-19 crisis.
Mikaela Thepvongsa lost her hearing at a young age. She graduated with honors and built a successful career as an ICU nurse and community care nurse, using lip-reading and sign language to connect with patients.
Pauline Stansfield became paraplegic after a bus accident. Despite that, she kept her nursing job and turned into a powerful disability advocate in New Zealand, showing that life-altering injuries don’t mean the end of a nursing career.

Frequently Asked Questions: Nursing With Disabilities

Can you be a nurse if you can’t walk?

Yes, you absolutely can. Nursing involves a wide range of roles, many of which don’t require walking or heavy physical activity. Telehealth, medical coding, and education are great examples of career paths where mobility limitations don’t hinder your ability to build a successful nursing career. Nurses with mobility challenges can also work in clinical settings with appropriate support and accommodations.

Do nursing schools accept students with disabilities?

Yes, nursing schools do accept nursing students with disabilities, and many are actively working to create supportive, inclusive environments. In fact, about 8.4% of nursing students nationwide report having a disability, though individual schools vary widely, with enrollment percentages ranging from 2% to 21.2%.

Here’s a quick look at the most common types of disabilities among nursing students:

Psychological disabilities: 3%
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): 2.1%
Chronic health conditions: 1.2%
Sensory disabilities: 0.4%
Mobility disabilities: 0.1%

What is the National Organization of Nurses With Disabilities?

The National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities (NOND) is a group dedicated to supporting nurses with disabilities by advocating for their rights, providing resources, and fostering a culture of inclusion in healthcare settings.

What legal protections exist for registered nurses with disabilities facing discrimination?

People with disabilities in the U.S. are protected primarily by the ADA, which prohibits discrimination based on disability. Additionally, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 offers protections for federal employees and recipients of federal funding.

Nurses facing discrimination can seek help from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which enforces these laws. Additionally, the American Nurses Association (ANA) offers resources on workplace rights.

Looking for a Nursing Career That Meets Your Needs?

At IntelyCare, we know every nurse has unique needs and goals — especially nurses with disabilities. We’re here to match you with quality nursing jobs that fit your lifestyle, abilities, and ambitions.