A Phenomenological Study Exploring the Intersectionality of Disability, Bias, and Advocacy
Open Access DepositedWorkplace Inclusion for Nurses with Permanent Physical Disabilities
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of inclusion among physically disabled nurses actively working in the United States and to examine how these experiences differ based on whether disabilities occurred before or after professional licensure. While most existing research centers on sensory or learning disabilities in academic settings, this study addresses a critical gap by focusing on inclusion within professional nursing practice.Guided by descriptive phenomenology and grounded in Critical Disability Theory (CDT)—a framework not previously applied in nursing research—semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 registered nurses who self-identified as physically disabled. Eight participants had pre-existing disabilities prior to entering the profession, and seven acquired disabilities afterward. Data were analyzed thematically using NVivo© 14 Pro, with methodological rigor ensured through dual coding, member checking, and validation of emergent themes. Six primary themes emerged, reflecting barriers and supports to inclusion, each aligning with CDT’s domains of disability, bias, and advocacy. Member checking confirmed the clarity and resonance of themes and subthemes. Comparative analysis revealed that the strongest parallel between groups existed in the domain of disability identity, the internalized dimension most directly shaped by the individual. In contrast, the greatest divergence occurred within advocacy, reflecting differences in structural and systemic experiences. This study demonstrates the applicability of CDT within nursing and highlights its potential to reframe how disability is understood in healthcare environments. Findings indicate that inclusion strategies must be tailored to disability timing. Nurses with acquired disabilities emphasized the need for structural supports, environmental safety, and accommodations, whereas those with pre-existing disabilities prioritized dismantling systemic bias, addressing power imbalances, and fostering authentic inclusion. Across both groups, promoting a positive disability identity, normalizing self-care, and reducing stigma emerged as essential to advancing disability inclusion through nursing practice, education, policy, and research.
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