ADD/ ADHD nurses- which units do you prefer?

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I was just curious in which units do ADD/ADHD nurses prefer. My son was diagnosed with ADHD a while back and I'm slowly realizing that I'm possibly ADD myself (I'm not hyper, but do have trouble staying focused and tend to like to jump around when doing things). I'm not a super anal detail oriented person, which sometimes I think is a detriment, but I am what I am. I try to find ways to make myself stay focused, but is sometimes tough to stay focused on 12 hr days as a nurse.

Just curiuos!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, L&D.

I don't have ADHD myself, but when I was doing my public health rotation with a school nurse 3 of those nurses had ADHD and said that school nursing was perfect for them. I don't know if that would be something you would be interested in, but they said it worked well with their personalities.

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I'm a space cadet; ADD without the H. I work Level 2 Nursery and NICU. I find that it's easier to focus on the 1-3 babies and families than a wingful as I did in Med-Surg. And if something "intense" happens the hyperfocus of ADD without the hypeactivity is a bonus. Adenaline surge doesn't hurt either. ;)

good luck

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

With ADD, ER is the perfect place for me. I think many of my co-workers have it also.

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Specializes in 14 yrs ER, 1 yr psych.

Hey Bill,

Some of us ER nurses resemble that remark, LOL, Actually helps in some situations.

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

I work psych. Lots of ADD nurses in psych

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I think psych is good because of the relatively lower work pace. Seems like any kind of critical care might be good as well, because you are only having to focus on a couple of patients at a time. Med Surge is difficult for an ADD nurse like myself... okay, never diagnosed but it runs in my family and I do have a horrible time focusing on more than one thing at a time, or paying attention to a conversation if there is much else going on around me.

Seems like a busy ER would be a nightmare for an ADD nurse! :lol2: But, who knows?

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

ER, Recovery, ICU...

I'm not sure I have ADD, but I get really bored easily, and will lost focus if such is the case..when I am focused, I am focused...hope that helps.

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I am a LPN with ADD, and I prefer working on the skilled/rehab unit in LTC. Never a dull moment!

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Also an LPN with ADHD, work LTC, rehab unit. Keeps me busy, but is less stressful for me than med-surg in hospital setting. Less drama, fewer order changes, etc. It is a relatively good fit for me. What can get me negative quickly though, is short staffing, which in LTC is the downside.

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I'm not a nurse yet nor do I have ADHD. However, I thought I'd share this story with you:

My oldest son who has ADHD has an awesome pediatrician who is constantly reminding him how much ADHD is a "gift'' that he hasn't tapped into yet. During his med checks, she always tells him that she thinks half of the doctors that worked in ER with her had ADHD and that his high energy and ability to shift to different modes at a drop of a hat will be an asset to him if he decides to go into that field.

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I'm like a deep freezer...I work better at full capacity. If there's too much of a lull or not enough mental stimulation I will get distracted or fall asleep.:zzzzz

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