[silvergirl]

I am really surprised at how many of us are out there..but Nsg is perfect for ADDers.Iwish theyd get rid of the H in ADHD because the hyperactivity is only one symptom of the disease..and we don't all have it....course Nursing is no desk job....you are always on the move, no day duplicates another, and there are no dull days....I make a little checklist on each of my pts mail beginning of the shift....that I check off as I go....otherwise I do this little OCD type thing where I continually check to see if I charted all my meds, vitals, I&Os---if I dont check it off I check it time and again,,,wasting time....My checklist is as follows and it is for giving report as well as being able to look at a glance at what I need to report, and what I have already charted : I&O, PRNs given, Meds charted, VS, accuchecks, Labs done, Diagnostic tests done, if on O2, careplans done, braces (if pt has), drsgs done, procedures done, last BM, Bowel and Bladder meds they are on (its phys rehab so its way important to our outcomes), 8hr checks of orders done, orders dc'd or started, if on isolation, nutrition (how they ate, if on tube feedings, or NPO or pureed), How they take pills, how they tfr, prospective DC date, etc. The words and letters in italics are how the checklist is listed on my papers. It just helps me keep organized...There are more items to my list but I am already bored with myself....It is like the Tshirt says..."They say I have ADD...but I dont know....Oh look a chicken!"

[lindsaylou]

There are little things you can do that can keep you on task. For instance instead of going up and down the halls looking for people, pick up the phone in the room. Delegate some of the tasks that you do not absoulutly have to do to your aids. I find if I don't chart as I go I am not as thorough in my charting and often forget things. Keep a memo pad handy to jot things down on so that you don't forget. I would type up your own sheet that you can fill out in the mornings that you have a check list on and put what you need on it and keep it simple, write on the back of each sheet staple them together and check it off as you go and get a little highlighter to keep handy as well. You will find a routine soon, but it will take a while but stick with a routine and try to get used to it.

Hope it helps

[merellis2009]

I'm a new RN with ADHD (no hyperactivity) on a cardiac stepdown/tele floor with no nursing assistants so at time I feel like I am drowning! I made up my own little "brain" report sheet which I've been told is the most organized one most the RN's on the floor have seen around their area, but it STILL takes me forever to get things done, even though I am pretty organized. I can get the tasks done but then finding time to get the info off the paper and onto the computerized charting system is what I struggle with. How do you all do it? I thought about not writing it all down on my brain and instead charting on the pt in the pt's room but I would be LOST giving report to the next nurse with nothing on my paper. Does this make any sense? I wish I had someone that I could delegate vital signs, getting pt's cleaned up, and cups of coffee to but as I said, no NA's or PCT's.

Any suggestions would be welcomed!!! I haven't mentioned my ADD to my boss yet and don't want to have to use special accomodations if I can help it... I try to keep my ADD to myself for the most part. What do you guys do?

[silvergirl]

I dont ADDvertise it to pp.....still a stigma i think.....pp judge you....or think you are stupid....and yet we find ways to get everything done....as quick as others....we adapt....and just try to get through the day without making a mistake or screwing up-not in nursing but anything....some days it can be so exhausting to get through a day appearing normal

[Skeetersmom119]

I am a heart attack survivor plus I have ADD, and have the joy of going through menopause ! Also am a Certified Dietary Manager (cheap RD), have been in LTC for 8 years. I take Adderall, which does not affect my heart rate, (in fact it lowers it.)
I also work on a very fast paced rehab/ltc unit. I have only been a LPN for almost 1 year. I have found that keeping the lists are very helpful. I cannot do my med pass the same way every day, because someone or most everyone will have times where they did not get pain meds at 5:30am, so I walk in to 10 call bells on for pain meds. If I have IV's due, I have to fit those in, plus therapy hangs at the med cart wanting to know if "their person has had their meds yet" and will park them at my cart, plus many with scheduled insulin to administer or Reglan, Precose, or other meds which they must have prior to breakfast. I organize my cheat sheet so that before I start, I have these people in some sort of priority, which depends on how my day starts. I leave enough room on my cheat sheet for each resident to write a brief note. It generally takes most of the shift, for meds and care, however, I then find a quiet room to take all of my paperwork to, at a time (usually close to end of shift) where I will not get interrupted. Then I transcribe my briefnote along with any pertinent info, such as abnormal blood sugars, blood pressures, how they are w/ adl's, transfers, if they are continent of B & B. If they are on psych meds, if there was any abnormal behavior, side effects/adverse reactions. Note: If I have a pt that I have to monitor frequently, I carry a nursing note and attach it to my sheet, and start my note at the time I begin my med pass and assessment. That way, by the time you are done with med pass, hopefully, you will have a nice note chronological care of a difficult patient (or it could be difficult family members with unrealistic expectations.) This has saved me several times, because I had to spend a lot of time going in the pt's room (both pt and family were very demanding, and would accuse staff of being inattentive,loved to ring the call bell unnecessarily, and thought I was their "private duty nurse") so I had very thorough notes with times of each time I was called in the room, what happened, etc. and signed each entry. These notes sometimes took up a page for the full day, but at the end of the day, I did not have to worry about remembering a lot of details to put into the computer. because they were already there. My DON was fine with it, because I was charting as I went along, as it happened. That will allow you to chart the things that arent as time consuming on the computer.

[Skeetersmom119]

Originally Posted by merellis2009

I'm a new RN with ADHD (no hyperactivity) on a cardiac stepdown/tele floor with no nursing assistants so at time I feel like I am drowning! I made up my own little "brain" report sheet which I've been told is the most organized one most the RN's on the floor have seen around their area, but it STILL takes me forever to get things done, even though I am pretty organized. I can get the tasks done but then finding time to get the info off the paper and onto the computerized charting system is what I struggle with. How do you all do it? I thought about not writing it all down on my brain and instead charting on the pt in the pt's room but I would be LOST giving report to the next nurse with nothing on my paper. Does this make any sense? I wish I had someone that I could delegate vital signs, getting pt's cleaned up, and cups of coffee to but as I said, no NA's or PCT's.

Any suggestions would be welcomed!!! I haven't mentioned my ADD to my boss yet and don't want to have to use special accomodations if I can help it... I try to keep my ADD to myself for the most part. What do you guys do?

It can still be considered a stigma of sorts, however, if you take the time to look around, there are a whole lot more out there with the same difficulties, that show up in different ways. Work on doing what is easiest for you to help maintain your sanity in the midst of a chaotic profession !

[amers573]

Well, Its nice to know there are alot of people like me. First i wsnt tjo say that I graduated nursing school and passed the nclex the first time and am an official RN. I went on to work in an acute care facility as a nurse graduate in an orientation program with a preceptor and went Through two preceptors in 11 weeks. I was told that i had problems prioritizing, making decisions, and time management. Also that i hyperfocus on the small details which takes time from patient care. I feel like my short term memory causes problems. I have been like this all my life. I struggled through school and have always felt there was something wrong. I was diagnosed about 3 yrs ago with ADD and generalized anxiety disorder from the ADD. I recieved longer test taking time which helped alot and a few other accomodations in school that i didnt use. I started taking meds which i felt like was helping only some of the time. I seek to learn as much as i can and use the small details along with the big picture but just not fast enough. I got the boot from the hospital i worked at as a nurse tech (2yr 9 mo)and nurse grad/RN 11 weeks) for a total of 3 yrs. I was told that i was not progressing like i should be and that i should resign or get fired. So i resigned in hopes of being able to go back some day. MY passsion is to one Day work in OR. I was told to get experience in long term care or doctors office. I considered Dr. office and have applied. I do not like long term care and would only consider that as my last resort. I have been told by other nurses, patients/families and instructors and even a clinical preceptor while doing my practicum that i would be a great nurse. i have even been given gifts and care cards from patients and families letting the instutution i worked for know. This is very upsetting and frustrating for me. I feel like they told me what i had problems with but didnt want to help me with them or give me ideas on ways to improve. I worked hard to get here and in my heart i do the best job i can to help patients but it isnt good enough. I know im new and it takes time getting used to everything like paperwork and protocols and such. I feel like once i fell comfortable with all that then i will get my nitch for my own way of doing things that work for me. I really need to find ways to improve these areas. I just hope i can find a Dr's office that will accept a new nurse that doesnt have previous experience and are willing to provide needed training. I am in need of some input.
Thanks AP

[amers573]

This is great that your are finding ways for this to work for you. I am new to this site and think its really great.