ADHD Nurses-what area do you specialize in?

Nurses Disabilities

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I would very much like to hear from other nurses with ADHD/ADD!

What area of nursing do you work in? What do you love about it?

I appreciate all who take the time to answer :)

Thanks

nursecat64

57 Posts

Specializes in med/surg, home health.

Hospital nursing (medical/surgical) is great for ADD/ADHD: you're always running :lol2: (burning off energy) and changing directions. It's never routine, so you don't have to focus on any one thing too long. I think it's good. :nurse:

k31kozumi

20 Posts

nursecat64 said:
Hospital nursing (medical/surgical) is great for ADD/ADHD: you're always running :lol2: (burning off energy) and changing directions. It's never routine, so you don't have to focus on any one thing too long. I think it's a good fit .:nurse:

Thank you:)

Nurse Lulu

131 Posts

Specializes in critical care.

Critical care-same reason. Always different, usually running, and always learning. Great for "multitasking" brains!

neverbethesame

89 Posts

There are different subtypes of ADHD/ADD, so there are no clear-cut answers, but it depends on several factors working together with it, like personality, ethics, physical stamina, etc. For me, a very fast-paced, multi-tasking job is a nightmare. I am a Nursing Assistant while still in school, and I struggle a lot as it is those very things. As far as my subtype, I am far more Primarily Inattentive Type, so if I am already prone to not being organized, forgetful, and making careless mistakes while flying around an ER or ICU or busy Med-Surg floor, those settings are not a good idea for me.

[h=5]ADHD—Primarily Inattentive Type:[/h]

  • Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
  • Has difficulty sustaining attention
  • Does not appear to listen
  • Struggles to follow through on instructions
  • Has difficulty with organization
  • Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort
  • Is easily distracted
  • Is forgetful in daily activities

[h=5]ADHD—Primarily Hyperactive/Impulsive Type:[/h]

  • Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in a chair
  • Has difficulty remaining seated
  • Runs around or climbs excessively
  • Has difficulty engaging in activities quietly
  • Acts as if driven by a motor
  • Talks excessively
  • Blurts out answers before questions have been completed
  • Has difficulty waiting or taking turns
  • Interrupts or intrudes upon others

[h=5]ADHD—Combined Type:[/h]

  • Meets both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive criteria

Source: CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

CHADD Live | Symptoms

Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Critical Care Nursing.

I am a combined type, diagnosed when I was 19 and had failed nursing school. I have worked in a busy ER/Trauma center for four years, and it seems to be a great fit for me. Repetition, monotony, etc. tends to cause me to lose focus; however, in the ER, you aren't following standing orders or MARs and will often see new and exciting things that, at least in my case, peak my interest and help me to maintain focus. Also, the fast pace and constant need to be "on the go" work well for my hyperactivity and inability to sit still for long.

:bugeyes:

panamishe

37 Posts

Specializes in med/surg 1 year, ER 5 years.

I have ADD, and ER was the perfect fit for me.

k31kozumi

20 Posts

Christy1019 said:
I am a combined type, diagnosed when I was 19 and had failed nursing school. I have worked in a busy ER/Trauma center for four years, and it seems to be a great fit for me. Repetition, monotony, etc. tends to cause me to lose focus; however, in the ER, you aren't following standing orders or MARs and will often see new and exciting things that, at least in my case, peak my interest and help me to maintain focus. Also, the fast pace and constant need to be "on the go" work well for my hyperactivity and inability to sit still for long.

:bugeyes:

Thanks for your post!

I am also a combined type, and I have been thinking about the ER lately as a possible fit for me too. I like the fact that it is exciting and varied as I will get bored with repetition very quickly too. I suspected that I would get bored (and frustrated) on a medical-surgical floor after a short while.

The thing I am wondering is ERs don't usually hire new grads, so what is a good career path to get me there?

BTW-I was also diagnosed at 19, but I denied it for almost ten years.

Of course, at that time, I had impulsively switched majors from pre-med to art, failed at every relationship, had a dead-end career, and lived with my head and feet in the clouds ?

Eventually, I got it! ?

ugadawg1696

35 Posts

k31kozumi -

I know it has been a while since your original post, but I thought I would chime in. I graduated in December of last year (Dec 2011) from nursing school and spent four months looking for a job. My "dream job" was the ER, and I actually landed a job at a small-mid size ER mid-April. I was surprised that they gave me a job there, considering I am a new grad, but either way, I was very excited about my new job!

I have severe ADD inattentive type. I am still in orientation now and will be for about another month (3 months is avg orientation for the hospital I am at). I find myself forgetting so many things during the day. I also have a problem with social anxiety, which, mixed with ADD, makes it hard to stay focused at work. Some days are better than others, but I'd say 80% of the time, I am beating myself up inside for forgetting little things (I.e., not grabbing everything I will need when I go in a room, so I have to keep coming out and going back in which takes up a lot of time). I have a very patient preceptor, but it really gets me down when I waste so much time because of my forgetfulness. I thought maybe it was because of my anxiety (which I know plays a huge part) or because I am just slow, but I think it really boils down to my ADD. I take Vyvanse for it every day, but I still have a huge problem. I'm really thinking maybe the ER wasn't the right thing for me to go into. It scares me that I am so inattentive at times. It seems like the more I try, the worse I do.

That's just me, though; you may be different. You did say you were the mixed type, right? So maybe you will work well in the ER. I am going to stick with it, but it's killing my confidence. If anyone has any advice for me, I would really appreciate it. As for you, k31kozumi, keep putting in applications to ERs. If you haven't already gotten a job, you will find one out there that will hire you as a new grad! If you have any questions feel free to email me, [email protected]

Good luck!

k31kozumi

20 Posts

I am so sorry to hear that. I understand exactly what you mean by beating yourself up inside, and that will make things so much worse for you. I have severe ADHD (true, the impulsivity/hyperactivity does make us a bit different) as well, and I am talking with my Dr about adding a new med to my Adderall for better symptom control. It sounds like you should talk with your Dr, too. Cuz you worked so hard for that license and are in such an exciting (and scary, I know) time starting out as a new nurse that, I hate to see you struggle more than necessary.

A homecare agency I have been with all through school as a CNA has hired me as a nurse, and they are so supportive. They are starting me out slow, and my clinical director tells me not to worry so much (I fuss over my documentation cuz now I know it is how we get paid, so I'm afraid to screw it up) and that I am doing a great job. I am so grateful to her.

I am also starting in a nursing facility soon to get my skills and training in. the DON was very supportive and a good personality type for me to feel safe and comfortable with. I hope you find coworkers you can get support from to help you feel more confident too!

ejm123

142 Posts

I was recently diagnosed, and after reflecting on my school career from elementary and especially high school, I wish my parents had been attentive/educated that I had a problem. Anyways, my dream is to land in LD one day and be able to do relief work. I have a little bit to go; I will finish up my LPN in five weeks.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide

VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN

22 Articles; 9,987 Posts

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Not ADD/ADHD, but bipolar with a high level of distractibility when in a manic phase, so I can relate to some of this. You folks are doing a great job of brainstorming! I've worked with a few nurses who just did not do well in certain situations (e.g., staff development, MDS nurse, etc.), but kicked butt in ER and outpatient surgery, where things move quickly and don't require 20 pages of paperwork on each of their patients. There's a place for everyone in this profession. Good on you all for helping each other find it!  :up:

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