what unit is best for ADD type?

Nurses Disabilities

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Specializes in NeuroCritical Care, Neurosurgery.

Hi everybody,

I need some opinions. I have ADD, the day dreamer type and less than one year experience as a nurse. I started my career wanting to work in IMC but my preceptor told me I was too slow and I always felt like my best wasn't good enough. So now I work in med-surg and have 4-5 patients and it is always very hectic and I feel like I am pulled 10 different directions. But my manager thinks I am doing well. I just don't think this is my "niche."

I am really a detail oriented person. I get distracted easily. I'm a slow learner-I admit it. But I am also a perfectionist. And I get bored very easily.

I used to work as a tech in the ER before nursing school and i loved it. thats what made me go into nursing school. So my question is where do most ADDers work? Our brains must be a good fit somewhere.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.:bow:

Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.

I swear that more than 3/4 of the nurses that I have encountered in the Emergency Room have ADHD. It seems to be the best place to accomodate this disability. Actually, I think I am hindered by not having it; &, I know it when I see it because my spouse has it. PACU might be another option because of the quick turnaround time.

Inpatient psych is another alternative

Specializes in LTC.

Home health, maybe? One visit at a time would lessen the muti-tasking factor...

You said that you liked being an ED tech. Have you thought about working in the ED? I'm not a nurse yet, but I am also ADD inattentive type. The ED has always appealed to me. I get bored if there is too much routine, so I thought that would be a good place. CICU also interests me because you can focus more on individual patients.

Specializes in ICU, hospice, MS/tele, ED, corrections.
Home health, maybe? One visit at a time would lessen the muti-tasking factor...

I too have ADHD (mixed type!) and find that home health drives me crazy because it's not "stimulating enough." I have read and it seems to apply to me that people with ADHD thrive in chaotic &/or fast paced, hectic environments. :twocents:

Specializes in LTC.
I too have ADHD (mixed type!) and find that home health drives me crazy because it's not "stimulating enough." I have read and it seems to apply to me that people with ADHD thrive in chaotic &/or fast paced, hectic environments. :twocents:

Hee...yeah, I have ADD too and the challenge for me is finding something that doesn't bore me to tears and yet isn't too chaotic that I feel like I'm sinking. I definitely don't feel like I thrive in utter chaos, but I do know that I have to keep busy.

I have ADHD, mixed type. I worked in all areas of OB over nearly 20 yrs. L&D, Triage, Hi-Risk Antepartum, Out-Pt Antepartum Testing NICU, (Mother-Baby or as it used to be called:) Postpartum & Normal NB Nsy. I found myself bored after a yr or so in the Postpartum & Normal NB Nsy/Mother-Baby areas.

I found L&D, Triage, Antepartum Testing & NICU my favorite areas. I liked the challenge & fast pace. I was a Charge RN for many yrs then a Manager & Dept Director. As a Manager/Director I noticed that ED & L&D RN's seemed to have a lot in common. They were generally happy & successful in cross-training if they decided to change specialties.

In some facilities there have been huge pushes for RN's to cross-train within the various Perinatal Subspectialty areas. I found during that experience; Even if one had a skilled experienced Postpartum or Nsy RN that really didn't have a desire to work in L&D &/or didn't have the personality type it was a much more difficult & less successful process.:nurse:

I have ADD and I find that Chronic Hemodialysis is great for that. The chaotic environment of my clinic is great for my ever moving mind.

I think that surgical services may be best for me, and I feel the same way that you do, having ADHD and working on a busy hospital floor with 5-6 patients.

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