Student Nurse with ADHD

[Pinkpea11]

Should I tell my nursing school I have ADHD???

I have been debating this issue for a while now. I am currently in nursing school and half way through med surg. I have ADHD and on medication. I am a good student and I always sit in front and what gets me through is recording the lecture and going over the power points. Over and Over. And, online practice quizzes/informational groups. I don't read the chapters that often, I just don't learn that way. I actually don't even have the book! I am not trying to be a rebel I just study my own way. I told this to my teacher who asked me how I studied for my tests when I met with her and she got furious! She said "do you want a nurse that just studies what they have to and not be well rounded" I said you wanted my honest opinion and I gave it.

However nursing school is starting to get very hard and I barely passed the first half of med surg. Actually 40% of my class failed it and have to retake it. But not me. They are very strict on giving us only 2 hours to take our tests and finals and that is not enough time! I am always stressing over the time during tests and I never finish early. Our new school policy which just started is NOT being allowed to record our lectures because we "won't be able to record on the job" when we are talking to doctors etc. Which is bogus.

So, finally my question: Should I tell my nursing professor I have ADHD?

I don't want them to use this information against me. I just want to be able to have extra time taking the tests/finals and be able to record the lectures. I do not need any "help" during clinicals, I do very well in clinicals. I should also state that I made a "medication error" my 3rd day in clinicals. Well, my school stated that we are not allowed to give IV push, they only told us this once before; and it was a long time ago. So, at clincals the nurse I was working with didn't know either and together we drew up the medication and I pushed it. I told my clinical teacher after and she said that I will probably be suspended. Long story short, since I am a good student, they gave me another chance. I just had to write some papers and was on "probation" for the rest of the semester. That was last semester, and I don't want them to think that I can't handle nursing, or that I won't be a good nurse because I know I will be. Any suggestions? On how to approach this situation? Should I just not say anything? I could also contact my school's dept for disabled students and get set up for accommodations. I don't know if I need to go that far.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[reneelperkins]

After reading your posting I know just how you feel. I also have ADHD and I'm a nursing student. I recently learned some new ways of studying that have become very helpful. Some people have a hard time reading all those chapters including myself but we have to read them. I read where you taped your lectures. Have you ever thought about taping yourself reading each of your chapters. I know it might sound funny but reading those long chapters once is tough and retaining the info is another challenge. So if you record yourself reading them, then you can just keep playing them to yourself anywhere like in your car. This is very helpful and you might find that your an aural learner. Which means you learn best when you hear information rather then reading it over and over.

GoodLuck

Renee

[Cdkipp]

Canadian, Look into taking a low dose of Inderal, a beta blocker (I don't remember generic name--but I get a break because I am only pre nursing).

I have a familial tremor which is exacerbated by stress. My hands visibly shake and it is very visible if I am holding a piece of paper or if I was holding a medical instrument. If I am giving a speech or other high anxiety situation it is awful and I get preoccupied with it. My Uncle, a neurologist, suggested inderal and it works like a charm. I only take a low dose and I just take it when I know I will be in a situation where my hand shaking will be a problem.

I KNOW I will be taking it during clinicals. Look into it. It is a blood pressure medication and does not affect you mentally at all.

I also agree with Elks advice on ADHD