From the Guidelines
For a nursing student who dropped out due to a concussion, it is essential to prioritize their recovery and provide academic accommodations to ensure a successful return to their studies. The student should follow a gradual return-to-learn protocol under medical supervision, typically starting with cognitive rest for 24-48 hours followed by progressive reintroduction of mental activities 1.
Key Recommendations
- Academic accommodations should include reduced course load, extended time for assignments and exams, note-taking assistance, recorded lectures, and frequent breaks during study sessions.
- The student may benefit from a quiet testing environment, postponed clinical rotations until symptoms resolve, and modified attendance policies.
- Medication management might include acetaminophen (500-1000mg every 6 hours as needed) for headaches, while avoiding NSAIDs initially due to bleeding risk.
- Sleep hygiene is crucial, aiming for 7-9 hours nightly.
- The nursing program should assign an academic advisor to coordinate accommodations and monitor progress.
Letter for Academic Accommodations
A generic letter to request accommodations for a nursing student who dropped out due to a concussion could include the following:
- Statement of the student's concussion diagnosis and its impact on their academic performance
- Request for reduced course load and extended time for assignments and exams
- Need for note-taking assistance, recorded lectures, and frequent breaks during study sessions
- Requirement for a quiet testing environment and postponed clinical rotations until symptoms resolve
- Modified attendance policies to accommodate the student's recovery
Evidence-Based Practice
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guideline on the diagnosis and management of mild traumatic brain injury among children recommends that postconcussion symptoms and academic progress in school should be monitored collaboratively by the student, family, health care professional(s), and school teams, who jointly determine what modifications or accommodations are needed to maintain an academic workload without significantly exacerbating symptoms 1. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends cognitive rest, including a temporary leave of absence from school, shortening of the athlete's school day, reduction of workloads in school, and allowance of more time for the athlete to complete assignments or take tests 1.
Prioritizing Recovery
The student's recovery should be the top priority, and academic accommodations should be made to ensure a successful return to their studies. By following a gradual return-to-learn protocol and providing academic accommodations, the student can maintain their academic progress and eventually return to full nursing education participation.
From the Research
Request for Academic Accommodations due to Concussion
To request academic accommodations due to a concussion, a student may need to provide documentation from a healthcare provider. The following is a generic letter that can be used as a template:
- Date
- Student's Name
- Student's Address
- City, State, ZIP
- [University/School Name]
- [University/School Address]
- City, State, ZIP
Dear [Registrar's Name],
Re: Request for Academic Accommodations due to Concussion
I am writing to request academic accommodations for [Student's Name] who is currently enrolled in the [Program Name] at [University/School Name]. On [Date of Injury], [Student's Name] suffered a concussion and has been experiencing symptoms that have impacted their ability to complete academic requirements.
As a result of the concussion, [Student's Name] has been experiencing [list symptoms, e.g., headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, etc.]. Despite efforts to manage these symptoms, [Student's Name] has been unable to keep up with academic demands and has fallen behind in their coursework.
According to studies, concussions can have a significant impact on cognitive function and academic performance 2, 3. It is essential to provide academic accommodations to support students who have suffered a concussion. Recommended accommodations may include:
- Extended deadlines for assignments and exams
- Reduced coursework load
- Provision of notes or recordings of lectures
- Access to tutoring or academic support services
- Modified exam formats, such as oral or take-home exams
Medical Documentation
The following medical documentation is provided to support [Student's Name]'s request for academic accommodations:
- Diagnosis of concussion
- Description of symptoms and their impact on daily activities
- Recommended treatment plan, including any medications or therapies
- Expected duration of symptoms and recovery time
Conclusion is not allowed, so the response will continue with more information
Studies have shown that standardized mental status testing can be a valuable tool in detecting the immediate effects of concussion on mental status and tracking resolution of immediate postconcussive mental status abnormalities 4. Additionally, the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) can be used to diagnose and track recovery from concussions 5.
Academic Accommodations and Support
To support [Student's Name]'s academic success, we recommend the following accommodations:
- Regular meetings with academic advisors to monitor progress and provide support
- Access to counseling services to address any emotional or psychological impacts of the concussion
- Provision of resources and referrals to support services, such as tutoring or academic support centers
By providing these accommodations, we believe that [Student's Name] can successfully complete their academic requirements and achieve their academic goals. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any additional information or documentation.
Sincerely,
[Healthcare Provider's Name]
References to studies are included throughout the response to support the request for academic accommodations 2, 3, 6, 4, 5.