Andrea Dalzell
Andrea Dalzell | |
|---|---|
| Other names | The Seated Nurse |
| Education | College of Staten Island (BS, BSN) |
| Occupation | Nurse |
| Website | theseatednurse |
Andrea Dalzell is an American nurse, disability rights activist, and content creator. Dalzell is the first wheelchair-using registered nurse in the state of New York and advocates for disabled healthcare workers on social media.
Early life and education
[edit]Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York,[1] Dalzell was diagnosed with transverse myelitis at age 5.[2] Throughout childhood, she would alternately use a wheelchair, a walker, and crutches, and started using a wheelchair fulltime by the age of 12.[1]
Dalzell earned two degrees, one in biology and one in neuroscience, from the College of Staten Island.[3] Originally interested in medical school, Dalzell switched to nursing after realizing that "doctors treat the Disease and I never wanted to look at someone as a disease, but as a whole person. Nurses do that and that’s where my mindset shifted to nursing".[4] Dalzell was awarded her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and became a registered nurse in 2018.[5]
Career and advocacy
[edit]Any person, with any type of disability can be a nurse. The misconception comes with the fact that with a disability means you’re incapable. Every single person’s ability is different. What I am able to do at my injury level, may not be another person’s ability at the same level.
After becoming a registered nurse, Dalzell applied to, and was turned down for, 76 different as a clinical nurse positions.[6][7] She found work as both a school nurse and as a camp health director during this period.[8] In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a high demand for nurses, and Dalzell landed a job as an ICU nurse based on her experience with ventilators.[2] Dalzell became the first wheelchair-using registered nurse in the state of New York.[9]
Dalzell cites multiple instances of being questioned on her qualification to perform as a clinical nurse, including "professors doubting her capabilities and the constant pressure to prove herself".[1][10] On social media, she is known as The Seated Nurse, and uses her platform to advocate for disabled healthcare workers.[2] She trains as a boxer to help build her strength for activities such as CPR.[3] Dalzell was asked by Apple Inc. to appear in a commercial for the Apple Watch, discussing how the watch has helped her physical training.[3]
Awards and honors
[edit]- In 2015, Dalzell won the title of Ms. Wheelchair New York[11]
- In 2020, Dalzell received the Craig H. Neilsen Visionary Prize[12]
- In 2021, Dalzell was named New Mobility’s Person of the Year[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Sherer, Teal (January 4, 2021). "New Mobility Person of the Year: Andrea Dalzell". New Mobility. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c Gandhi, Devansh (February 28, 2024). ""The Seated Nurse" Discusses Healthcare Career as a Disabled Person". The Hoya. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Apple TV Star Andrea Dalzell Fought Transverse Myelitis to Become a Nurse". CureMedical.com. May 29, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ a b Lee, Tatiana (April 28, 2020). "Andrea Dalzell: RN Who Uses a Wheelchair Treating COVID-19 Patients in NYC". respectability.org. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ Russell, Sara; Bernabe, Angeline Jane (September 10, 2020). "Nurse in wheelchair working as a COVID-19 frontline hero surprised with $1 million". ABC News (United States). Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ a b Okine, Dollita (August 10, 2024). "The inspiring story of Andrea Dalzell, the first registered nurse in a wheelchair in New York". Face2Face Africa. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ Hardy, Jasmine (May 26, 2023). "'Unheard': Black women open up about mental health". TheGrio. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ Norlian, Allison (July 29, 2020). "Disabled Nurses Find Covid-19 Silver Lining; Hope For More Inclusive Future". Forbes. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
- ^ Deleon, Nina (May 23, 2024). "Meet the Black Woman Making History as a Nurse Despite Being Wheelchair Bound". BlackNews.com. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ McMahon, Emily (September 29, 2021). "Interview with Andrea Dalzell, RN, Disability Advocate & Activist". American Nurses Association Illinois. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
- ^ Benanti, Carol Ann (July 22, 2015). "Ms. Wheelchair NY: 'Life, liberty and the pursuit of access'". City University of New York. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
- ^ Frias, Daphne (June 27, 2023). "12 Disability Activists You Should Know (and Follow!)". GoodGoodGood.co. Retrieved December 8, 2024.