Able to become nurse?????

[Darkpk55]

I just finished high school and did very bad. I just found out I have severe ADD.

I knew there was something wrong with me, I would sit in front if all my classes and it was impossible to focus. Daydream, absent minded, I also found out I have lambdoid craniosynostosis which makes this worse. My neurosurgeon said I have some right lobe parietal dysfunction, which has to do with attention, reading.. Reading is very difficult, it takes me about 2-3min to read 4 sentences, and no I'm not exaggerating, I always use to wonder why the kids in my class got everything so easy, I would stress out over the simplest things.

Do you think I can become a nurse? Today is my first day taking adderall and it's such a low

Dosage that nothing has changed.

I am taking a 3 college classes and I'm studying for 8 hours straight but getting very little done because of reading..

I'm sad..

[white shoes and cap]

Don't be sad.... and don't give up, with your disability you have to find your way of learning. Everyone has a different way of learning, example audial,visual,writing. Make your own notes from your text books, use index cards, use the internet, ask if you can bring a small tape recorder to tape the lesson and play back at home. There are many disable nurses, let your college know of your learning disability and join one of many groups for disable people. good luck!

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

Moved to Nurses with Disabilities forum for more responses.

[su9032]

Cerda,

Many very bright people have disabilities that interfere with their learning and have to find ways to compensate. Can you meet with a learning specialist so you can find some better and more efficient ways for you to learn. It seems like reading isn't working very well, and I know you must be frustrated. Also, have you gotten accommodations at your school?

Be patient with the medication. It may take some adjustments for the doctor to determine the right dosage/medication to make a difference. I'm glad that you are seeing a neurosurgeon who is working with you.

As far as being a nurse, that's that's something you and your doctor and other professionals will have to figure out. One thing about nursing is that safety is a top priority so you have to be able to be focused enough so that patients aren't going to get hurt. You are obviously a bright young lady and still have a lot of exploring to do. I think that you need to continue with school and try to learn more about your strengths and interests and find alternative learning styles (videos, audio books, etc). With the issues that you've been dealing with, it's hard to see how you shine, but I get the feeling that you will figure things out as uou work with the professionals and will become successful one way or another. Life is a journey and you will have plenty of bumps along the way. Keep strong and try to focus on the positive and be proud of yourself for working hard despite the obstacles. At least now,you have some answers for your struggles and now something can be done to help you move forward and excel. I wish you the very best.

[swift125]

Cerda: try to patient with the meds, almost all patients have their doses adjusted for optimal effect and this takes time. A nurse on my staff has ADHD; once she got on the right meds at the right dose her entire world changed for the better. Be sure to get your doctors input on educational issues; I'm sure that he has dealt with this before.