OCD at work

[abbaking]

I am very OCD (obsessive-compulsive) at work. I wipe down my work station with Sani-Wipes, Organize the charts, neatly arrange to vital sign machines, even make sure the beds in empty rooms are lined up EXACTLY with the pull string on the light. I am also very much a germ freak - constantly washing or sanitizing my hands. After I eat a meal, I have to brush and rinse twice.

Is anyone else like this or am i just nuts (lol).

I believe that everything needs to be in order, look nice and be clean in order for my job to run smoothly.

[chelynn]

I'm not as hardcore as you, but I too am a little OCD at work, much more than I am at home.

[Cat_RN, ASN, BSN, RN]

These are not negative traits to have so long as they don't interfere with your ability to perform in acute/emergency situations. Your 'rituals' can be therapeutic in the sense that they calm you, organize you, and get you focused on what your duties are as a nurse. If they get in the way during times when you need to be completely focused on a patient's situation however, then I would be concerned. Asfor now, as long as they aren't distracting you from performing, I wouldn't concern myself with them and would actually regard them as positive qualities. :)

(I to am like this, I MUST control my immediate surroundings in order to organize myself inside. It's like a preparatory thing, I have to have things in a very certain way- right down to color pens I use for different situations on pt's while getting reports-- or else I get completely derailed. I have my 'routines' which keep me organized and am VERY anal about keeping myself on track, all the time, in order. I have ADD and I think this is my way of keeping control of my performance. I have been told that I am VERY organized for a new nurse. People probably think I'm obsessive

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I think all nurses are a little OCD in order to get all the tiny details done. I did work with a nurse who had so many compulsions she had difficulty getting her work done PLUS all the tasks she added on her own. Anything that interferes with your work may need professional assistance. Otherwise, can you please come organize my life?

[Cat_RN, ASN, BSN, RN]

You are also probably one of those people (like myself), who are very influenced, either positively or negatively, by their immediate environment. If the nurses's station is a mess, papers every which-way, equipment scattered about out of its place- I find it makes me irritated and unfocused feeling. I hate to organize it before

[Cat_RN, ASN, BSN, RN]

You are also probably one of those people (like myself), who are very influenced, either positively or negatively, by their immediate environment. If the nurses's station is a mess, papers every which-way, equipment scattered about out of its place- I find it makes me irritated and unfocused feeling. I hate to organize it before

...

EDIT: I have* to organize it before I can be motivated and focused on anything else.

[aussiemom]

Thank you for being considerate of your patients and co-workers by maintaining great infection control and standards of cleanliness. You may want to check with your dentist, however, to see if brushing six times daily is damaging to your teeth or gums. As long as your rituals are not damaging to yourself personally or affecting your life (relationships, workflow, etc.), it's likely not problematic. Just watch out for your own safety. I have a family member who was diagnosed with OCD and he would wash his hands until they were absolutely raw and bleeding. Fortunately, with appropriate medication and a great counselor, he has made excellent progress in controlling his compulsions. I'm not saying this is where you are- I'm just saying to take good care of yourself and watch out for triggers or escalations in your behaviors.

[kathy313]

I have ADD also, I need things in order to keep me focused, if I go looking for something, that "wow...shiny" thing takes over! The med cart, charts, nurse's station all had to be just so. I even had to straighten the beds too, the tag on the lift pad has to be on the bottom, the bed must be straight.....Lol!

[Laboratorian]

I am. My coworkers will purposely mess with me by moving my supplies around (I have to start with an even # agar plates or I'll freak out).

[leslie :-D]

I am very OCD (obsessive-compulsive) at work. I wipe down my work station with Sani-Wipes, Organize the charts, neatly arrange to vital sign machines, even make sure the beds in empty rooms are lined up EXACTLY with the pull string on the light. I am also very much a germ freak - constantly washing or sanitizing my hands. After I eat a meal, I have to brush and rinse twice.

while a moderate amt of ocd shouldn't interfere w/your job, i used to work w/a mgr whose ocd was such, that she melted during crisis.

when all was status quo, we respected her 'quirkiness' that everything had to be her way.

(of course we did...she was our boss!)

but once poop hit the fan, she would become flustered then completely paralyzed.

she.just.couldn't.function.

so yeah, while we can relate about having ocd/add, it is all going to depend on the severity of this truly debilitating illness.

leslie

[fiveofpeep]

I have very very very mild OCD and I actually love it. I think it makes me who I am and helps me to pay attention to detail. I would never change unless it affected my job or life as others have said.

[bigbub3000]

A certain degree of compulsiveness and ritualism (routine) is necessary to survive.

But if you feel that you are excessive, please get help from qualified professionals.

Wishing you every success.