Here’s the truth most students don’t realise: around 1 in 5 nursing students has a disability or long-term condition — and many never claim the support they’re legally entitled to. They struggle in silence because they’re worried it’ll affect their fitness to practise, or they think “it’s not bad enough.”
Disability under the Equality Act 2010 includes dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, autism, mental health conditions (anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD), diabetes, epilepsy, chronic pain, hearing/vision impairment, and long-term physical conditions. If any of these affect your ability to study or go on placement, you have a legal right to reasonable adjustments. This guide shows you exactly what to do.
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA): What It Is and What It Pays For
DSA is a non-repayable grant on top of your student finance — it doesn’t affect your maintenance loan and you don’t pay it back. It’s not means-tested. It pays for equipment and support your disability means you need. For nursing students, that typically includes:
✅ How to apply for DSA (England): (1) Apply through Student Finance England at the same time as your main student finance — tick the DSA box. (2) You’ll get a letter asking you to book a needs assessment (a 1–2 hour chat about what support you need — it’s not a test). (3) The assessor writes a report; Student Finance approves it; you order your equipment. Whole process: 6–10 weeks. Apply in first year — you can backdate, but it’s easier from day one. Scotland/Wales/NI have their own systems — check with your student finance body.
Reasonable Adjustments at University: What You Can Ask For
Under the Equality Act 2010, your university must make reasonable adjustments so you’re not put at a “substantial disadvantage.” These are separate from DSA and often include:
- Exam adjustments: extra time (usually 25%), rest breaks, separate room, computer instead of handwriting, coloured paper
- Assignment adjustments: extensions as standard, alternative formats (e.g. presentation instead of essay where possible), word-count flexibility
- Teaching adjustments: lecture recordings, slides in advance, note-taker, materials in accessible formats
- Mental health: a named contact, regular check-ins, agreed absence triggers, reduced timetable if needed
- Physical/sensory: accessible rooms, seating arrangements, BSL interpreter, materials in braille/large print
Reasonable Adjustments on Placement (The Tricky Bit)
This is where students get scared. Placements are practical, physical, and assessed against the NMC Standards of Proficiency. The good news: most disabilities are perfectly compatible with nursing, and adjustments can be made. The key is to work with your university’s disability team + occupational health + placement team before the placement starts.
Examples of reasonable placement adjustments:
- Dyslexia/dyspraxia: extra time for drug calculations, allowed to use a calculator, written instructions instead of verbal only, buddy system
- Mental health: agreed check-ins, access to quiet room, phased return after a flare-up, avoiding certain specialties if clinically agreed
- Physical disability/chronic illness: placement near home, shorter shifts with breaks, avoiding heavy manual handling areas, sit-stand options
- Diabetes/epilepsy: regular break access, private space to test/inject, staff aware of emergency protocol
- Autism/ADHD: clear written expectations, advance notice of changes, sensory-aware placement area, mentor briefed
⚠️ Fitness to practise — what you must disclose: You must declare any health condition (physical or mental) that could affect your ability to practise safely to your university’s occupational health department. This is NOT the same as declaring it to the ward/your assessor. Occupational health is confidential and will advise on adjustments. You do NOT have to tell your mentor your diagnosis — only what adjustments you need. Withholding a serious condition that could affect patient safety is the risk, not disclosing it. Talk to your university support team first — they’ll guide you on what to share where.
How to Ask for Adjustments (Email Script)
To: Disability Support Team / Personal Tutor
Subject: Reasonable adjustments request — [Your name], Student ID [XXX]
I’m a [year] student nurse. I have [diagnosis or “a disability affecting my ability to…” — you choose how much to say]. I’d like to discuss reasonable adjustments for my studies and upcoming placement. I have evidence from [GP / consultant / educational psychologist] attached. Please could we arrange a needs assessment / meeting to agree a support plan? I’d also like to discuss applying for DSA if I haven’t already.
Thank you,
[Your name]
The Fears That Stop Students Applying (And Why They’re Wrong)
- “They’ll think I’m not fit to be a nurse.” → Thousands of nurses with disabilities qualify every year. The NMC supports reasonable adjustments. What matters is safe practice, not perfection.
- “It’s not bad enough.” → If it affects your study or placement, it’s enough. You don’t need to be at crisis point.
- “It’ll go on my record.” → Your disability record is confidential. It doesn’t appear on your degree certificate or NMC registration.
- “I’ll be treated differently on placement.” → Tell only who needs to know. Your mentor needs to know the adjustments, not the diagnosis.
- “The process is too long.” → Start now. Even if it takes 8 weeks, you’ll have support for the rest of your degree — worth every minute.
💛 Final word: Asking for reasonable adjustments is not asking for special treatment — it’s asking for a level playing field. You’re still doing the same degree, meeting the same standards, qualifying as the same nurse. You’re just not being forced to struggle with barriers that could be removed. If you’re struggling with your mental health right now and it’s more than the blues, read this first — and then book the appointment. You deserve the support.
References & Further Reading
- Equality Act 2010. Reasonable adjustments for disabled people. legislation.gov.uk
- Student Finance England. Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) guide. Available at: gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa
- Nursing and Midwifery Council. Fitness to practise and health declarations for students. Available at: nmc.org.uk
- Royal College of Nursing. Disabled student nurses and reasonable adjustments. Available at: rcn.org.uk
- NHS. Occupational health for healthcare students. Available at: nhs.uk
You’re Entitled to Support — Claim It
If life’s also throwing financial stress or a bad placement at you, these guides help. You don’t have to do nursing training with one hand tied behind your back.