[nurse2b2010]

I am so sorry about your experience. Believe me, I know how you feel. I was a legal secretary for over 20 years and 17 of those years I worked for one particular atty. I had always received great performance reviews and got along well with co-workers. Then I moved to another state. (one coast to the other actually). Got job offers rather rapidly, but one right after the other terminated me due to "not working out". No other reason given! After the 3rd time, I said "alright, this is it"! God is trying to tell me something. You're not supposed to be in the legal field out here. You need to find something else that's more rewarding and useful of your talents. (I talk to myself all the time! Scary, I know). Anyway, after many many hours of crying and analyzing myself, my husband and I made the decision together (because I trust him and love him . . . sappy I know) that I would return to school at the ripe old age of 48 and start a new career. I am loving school, getting high marks, and getting my self-esteem back. Sometimes, God has to hit me over the head with a brick before I get the mesage! It sounds to me like your supervisor wasn't mentoring you as she should have been and the rap was coming down on her and she wasn't going to take the blame for any of it. I am sure there will be a better place for your talents and skills! YOU MADE IT THROUGH NURSING SCHOOL WHICH IS PRETTY DARN HARD (I HEAR!!) so you should be patting yourself on the back for that one! I think it was Eleanor Roosevelt who said "no one can make you feel inferior without your permission"! Was it her that said that?! Boy, that was a hard one for me to learn -- still learning!!!!

GO OUT THERE AND GIVE 'EM ALL YOU GOT!!!

[Shantas]

Hello Funsize:
I am so sorry to hear what you had to go through. I was never been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD but I did work with children who were diagnosed with this illness.
The bottom line is that we are all forgetfull at times. I feel that that manager of your's was using an excuse. Dont let this incident ruin your life and your career that you earned so hard.
I am a very forgetfull person and my attention span is very scattered. The way I handle my forgetfullness and scattered attention is by making a list of the things that I have to do at the begining of the shift and I continue to do that as the day go by. I write down each and every task that I have to do in my small paper that I call "my brain"! I work in a very busy med/surg floor and this paper that I call "my brain" keeps me on track. I dont forget doctors order or the things that I have to do.
Look for another job....there are plenty out there...and I am sure with your hard work you will be very successfull one day and always keep your head up

[1Way2Go]

Hi all,

Too busy at this time of year with kids and all for a skills manual so thought I'd post some great links I've found on this site. Happy Holidays!

Lung:

http://mtsu32.mtsu.edu:11259/normal_...ounds_back.htm

http://www.vh.org/adult/provider/int...ungSounds.html

Heart:

http://www.medstudents.com.br/cardio...s/heartsou.htm

http://www.bioscience.org/atlases/heart/

A great vitals/physical assessment site (UC San Diego site):

http://medicine.ucsd.edu/clinicalmed/heart.htm

This site tells you where to find all the best lung sounds:

http://www.emory.edu/WHSCL/grady/inetgrp/hplung.html

Tracheostomy

• http://tracheostomy.com/ - everything you want to know about tracheostomies and trach care. Lots of pictures and explanations. If you go to the site map page you will find links to respiratory surgical procedures, many of which are videos.
• http://www.nda.ox.ac.uk/wfsa/html/u15/u1516_01.htm - Percutaneous Tracheostomy. Includes pictures of the anatomy, a description of the insertion of the tracheostomy and a list of the complications. This article was written for doctors but it is reasonably easy to understand
• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/002955.htm - includes drawings of the anatomy
• http://www.medicinenet.com/tracheostomy/article.htm - Tracheostomy
• http://www.yourlunghealth.org/ - Your Lung Health.org
• http://www.aarc.org/patient_education/ - Patient education links from the American Association of Respiratory Care
• http://www.nurseminerva.co.uk/images/ztrack.gif

http://www.clinimmsoc.org/teaching/downloads/subcutaneous_injections.pdf
I had added the sites to my favourites, but one of them is no longer available. However these two sites have videos http://www.umanitoba.ca/nursing/cour...ab/index.shtml and http://www.emtb.com/8e/videos.cfm. Hope they're what you're after.


http://medinfo.ufl.edu/other/opeta/vital/VS_main.html - videos on how to take vital signs

http://www.geocities.com/nyerrn/2/p/video.htm - listing of videos of procedures and skills from ER nurse, some paramedic skills here also

http://www.thinairproductions.ca/TCOYWpreview.htm - "Taking Care of Your Wound" video

http://lib2.hacc.edu/nursing/nursing206/ - from Harrisburg Area Community College. Click on videos to see movies of various IV procedures, NG tubes, and wound packing. Will need a Real One player to view. Site states you can download a free version of the player. Heparin Well, piggyback, IV push, ampules, pediatric medication administration, pediatric IV administration with soluset.

http://lib2.hacc.edu/nursing/nursing104/ - from HarrisburgAreaCommunity College more videos of nursing procedures. This site includes links to videos on bandaging, bedmaking, enemas, IV Therapy, Medication Administration (most all routes of administration are addressed), NG Tubes, Nursing Skills (sterile gloving and dressing, dressing change, straight catheterization, indwelling catheter and ROM), Physical Assessment and Positioning.

I found another site with nursing skill videos! They are interesting and like I said they can be downloaded to a PDA. That sounds great because next time you are in a clinical and unsure of the procedure for a skill all you have to do is look at it before you perform it. Check it out. http://www.etu.sgul.ac.uk/cso/
Also, here's website with even more skills like basic life support. It has short video clips you can watch. http://cal.fmc.flinders.edu.au/gemp/...il/default.htm

[sissyhudson]

Originally Posted by PsychNurseWannaBe

I have been treated for ADHD for 3+ years now. Like many I did not know I had it. In jr and sr high school I was impulsive and fidgety. I couldn't stand myself. Fast forward 10 years later and I am taking my placement exams for college and within 5 minutes I started "dot racing" through the test form. I could not believe it... I was soooo upset because I felt like I did in high school.... I thought that I had outgrown this. Well I did drop out of HS however after my "dot racing" I went to a psychiatrist and started Dexedrine... well I have made the Dean's list and the honor roll 5 times and I am also an honors student. I can actually sit and study for hours and actually enjoy it.

Simply put... before meds... I read Reader's Digest... short little stories...
After meds, can read/study for hours. The mind is amazing.

I would like to mention one thing... even with taking meds. I feel that because I did not take them in elementary school (many years ago ) or in HS.. I feel like I didn't know how to study when I first started college.. if that makes sense. I get better each semester in college but I had to work very hard at first. The meds gave me the ability to read and to sit but I had to teach myself what I needed to read and how to absorb the content. (which one learns in elementary and HS)

If that didn't make sense sorry...my meds are wearing off! LOL...

ALSO...for anyone in school you might get accomodation because of the ADA act. I have twice the time for exams/quizzes as well as a quiet distraction reduced environment. It is worth checking out with your Dean of Student.

Yes there are some people who abuse/sell them but a good HCW will catch it within a couple months and hopefully address that issue with their client.

Take care and good luck!

~Psych

OMG are you my twin or what? You just described me to a T.. I start nursing school in Jan. I take straterra 25mg twice a day. I am 36 yrs old and nervous about starting. I am afraid I will not be able to stay focused when the teacher is talking. I never took med. in lower school. I just got my tail beat just about every day because I could not sit still. I consider myself to be a smart person but my mind just runs 90mph and I make careless errors. I know this is very crucial in nursing but this something I have always wanted to do. It is so encouraging to know that there are other people with the same diag. I am so proud that you are doing great in college. I pray I do the same. Thanks for the encouragement. Keep me informed....... ps. This smiley is me off of my med... lol

[BuckeyeGal]

I am a high school junior in Ohio who has pretty bad ADHD (on meds) but would like to study nursing. I am above average intelligence, but my grades are not so good. It wasn't until recently that my ADHD got under control and my grades have improved to As and Bs, but my overall GPA is still around 2.0.

Looking for suggestions for a 4 year nursing program at a school that has a good ADHD support program within 300 miles of Columbus, Ohio. Any suggestions for schools, financial aid, or advice is welcome, thanks!

[waldowhere]

I am a late 2nd career fresh grad RN still in hospital orientation. I had no idea that I had ADD until reading about it in school and all the sudden my life's jigsaw puzzle came together. I have not been dx'ed with it but I am really struggling in the orientation program to my unit. They love me and are giving me extra training and lots of support. I found this website and thread via goggle. I've read a numer of pages and have found people talking about tips and memory management techniques but nothing about actual "HOW TO" or links to "HOW TO" step by step management. ANY directions wouldbe helpful at this point.

[wwnurse]

Hi! My story is like most who found out later in life they had ADD. I was 34 when I started taking classes. After a few semesters of testing out my meds and taking some basics, I took the advice of many friends and tried nursing. I went for LVN first because it was only 12 months & I wanted to move closer to family.

For me, I don't learn well under pressure. Also, clinical check-offs for me were a nightmare (I had horrible "stage fright). Since I am slowly working towards my RN, my game plan was to get in a job with good co-workers that wouldn't mind teaching me the clinical skills I would need as a RN. I ran into a classmate who worked at a nursing home and said it was fun, so that is where I went. All my life I had heard how horrible nursing homes were but I absolutely love it. My facility has rehab and long term so although there is not a lot of med-surge, I still have an opportunity to practice alot of clinical skills. Also, I work nights because it is quieter and slower. When I am on a long term care floor & finish up rounds, instead of taking a break, I offer to help the night RN. So far they have all appreciated the extra help when the only catch is sharing their expertise.

OK, here is my suggestion for being organized. Although I have chosen to begin my career where change is slow & my routine is not varied frequently, I have of course rotated through hospitals while in school. What I have found most helpful is having a palm pilot. I have a used Tungston E that came with a ton of software for nurses. It also has a "notepad". You just write on the screen, then set an alarm. You can set it go off every day for the same time (like 5am, clear pumps) or for once a week meds that have to be given separately. It is really nice having the reference books, too. I know working nights, I am always double checking my spelling or making sure of some med term I haven't used much when I am charting at 4am.

well, someones at my door, best wishes to all

[waldowhere]

I just signed on this week and found this thread. Were you able to get any advice? I am a new 55 yr old RN orienting to an orthopedic floor in a hospital on night shift. My supervisor is great and is really working with me and wants me to make it with her. She is already giving me extra training time and this week i'm going to sit down and talk with some mentors we've agreed on. I'll see how that goes but I do feel the need for someone to still follow behind me after final chart check cause I just do not see it all yet. Did you find any books helpful?

[cherilee]

Hi all

Im so glad I found this thread. I KNOW I am suffering from ADD.

I am having difficulties in work. I had a lot of problems in my last job. My preceptor said everyone thinks I am not paying attention because I keep asking the same questions. Oh or maybe im just not "gettingit"
. I became more and more anxious with this lack of support and before I knew it I was out. ***. My child is upset with me because the house is always a mess. I m just not functioning at a high level like I could be.
Im on Wellbutrin. I believe its going to take alot of concious effort on my part to improve. I dont have health insurance because I have no job! So I cant run to a therapist. However, what a relief knowing Im not the only one out there....
I have experienced alot of anxiety due to my inability to learn quickly, I dont know which one comes first, the anxiety or the lack of focus??
Anyway, I hope you guys keep this thread going, I really need tips and suggestions on how to get a handle on this stuff.
thanks, Lisa

[waldowhere]

I'm just starting the learning process about adhd. I'm very lucky in my orientation because my manager is very supportive of me, she believes in me more than I do myself. I've been on zoloft for 12 years. last week in meeting with my doctor he said that the anti-depressants treat the symptoms where as the add meds treat the cause and if i get the right medication i could very possibly drop the zoloft. In talking with an add service center they focused as the key was medication and then some other behavioral techniques. I'm responding to the part of your letter where you talk about a therapst. I have used a therapist for several years but again this treating the symptoms and not the cause. After reading about add in nursing school I'm the one who said i had it and agreed 100%. Point being, from what little exposure I currently have to add knowledge, the primary and most direct fix currently seems to be medication - which if you can take the primary medications - work very quickly to correct the time management and organizational problems.