Nurses with dyslexia: overcoming challenges and thriving in the profession

Nursing, as a profession, requires a unique set of skills that encompass effective communication, critical thinking and organisational skills (Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), 2024). However, for nurses with dyslexia, which is a specific learning difficulty impacting reading, writing and spelling (NHS website, 2022; British Dyslexia Association, 2024), these challenges become even more formidable. This article focuses on the experiences of nurses with dyslexia, shedding light on the distinct challenges they encounter and the resilient strategies they employ to navigate their roles and excel in the profession.

Dyslexia, a major condition in the wider range of neurodiversity, affects a large part of the population, estimated to be between 10% and 20% (Myhill, 2022). This specific learning difficulty is widely acknowledged to have a genetic origin, signifying that individuals often inherit it rather than acquiring it through environmental factors (Stein and Saunders, 2012). Despite the common misconceptions, dyslexia is not a condition that is naturally outgrown (Munzer et al, 2020); instead, individuals develop and implement coping strategies to address their challenges throughout their lives (Kannangara, 2015).