[CMarie,RN]

I have been a MICU RN for 5 years and have been tx for the last 8 yrs for depression. Just recently dx with ADHD and OCD. I have been soooo frustrated with myself on the unit when all the other nurses give report and are out the door by 7:30 and it takes me until 8pm to finish report on 2 pts, simple or not, and then I face another 1-2 hrs finishing my notes because I haven't been able to chart during my shift (all because I am checking, dbl checking and triple checking, and then there are the distractions - all those alarms - I can't chart unless all the alarms have been dealt with - mine or not.) All of the other nurses manage to get it all done except for me - it is really shaking my already low self-esteem. I love my job and what I do but am worried that I can't seem to figure out what to do to make a positive change. I especially hate it that other nurses probably cringe when they realize they have to receive report from me (because they know they won't get their flowsheets to start their charting for another hour or two.)

p.s. Have been on Zoloft for several years & Strattera for 3 months; changed Psychiatrist's today and will be gradually changed to Wellbutrin XL and increasing Strattera. I knew I was ADHD but the OCD dx was new as of today but makes SO MUCH SENSE.

Any suggestions?

[mercyteapot]

Originally Posted by CMarie,RN

I have been a MICU RN for 5 years and have been tx for the last 8 yrs for depression. Just recently dx with ADHD and OCD. I have been soooo frustrated with myself on the unit when all the other nurses give report and are out the door by 7:30 and it takes me until 8pm to finish report on 2 pts, simple or not, and then I face another 1-2 hrs finishing my notes because I haven't been able to chart during my shift (all because I am checking, dbl checking and triple checking, and then there are the distractions - all those alarms - I can't chart unless all the alarms have been dealt with - mine or not.) All of the other nurses manage to get it all done except for me - it is really shaking my already low self-esteem. I love my job and what I do but am worried that I can't seem to figure out what to do to make a positive change. I especially hate it that other nurses probably cringe when they realize they have to receive report from me (because they know they won't get their flowsheets to start their charting for another hour or two.)

p.s. Have been on Zoloft for several years & Strattera for 3 months; changed Psychiatrist's today and will be gradually changed to Wellbutrin XL and increasing Strattera. I knew I was ADHD but the OCD dx was new as of today but makes SO MUCH SENSE.

Any suggestions?

Some years ago, I took Luvox, which was prescribed off-label for depression. I found that it helped a good bit with my OCD tendencies (I'm not dxed with OCD, but I'm close to the spectrum). Unfortunately, the weight gain that I was assured would taper off didn't and I had to go off it and on to Wellbutrin. You might ask your doctor about Luvox.

[traumaRUs]

Once your medications get stabilized by your MD, working on organizational skills will help you to also relieve some of the stress at work. Have you considered a leave of absence to get you over this hump? What about discreetly contacting a trusted co-worker who could maybe give you some pointers? Close the door of the room you are in to block out the other alarms?

[CMarie,RN]

I appreciate the response - Thank you traumaRUs and mercyteapot for the suggestions.

[HM2Viking]

Adderall is the "gold standard" according to my psych. He does not view strattera as being very effective for Adult ADHD. I haven't tried Strattera so I cannot share a comparison. I find that Adderall helps me screen out distractions so I can get paperwork done.

Could your supervisor help you with some coaching on how to prioritize time and also scheduling tasks? I really feel for your feeling "bad" and I am only suggesting this as a way to help you find a way to feel better about yourself and also to improve relationships with your coworkers. I think you could ask your coworkers to remind you that they will take care of their own patient alarms so you can focus on finishing your own work for your own patients. People who have ADHD/ADD often find it difficult to filter out extraneous stimuli. A PDA may help you stay more focused.

Please PM me if you want to ask about some of my coping mechanisms.