2 ADD 2 B a Nurse?

Published

I'm a Senior RN student, graduating in Dec 08.

I've been physically ill recently, due to the stress of worrying about graduation, doing well, learning the theory & juggling my home life.

I'm scared to death to graduate b/c I have a history of severe ADD/Anxiety/Depression ... to the point where I can not do simple arithmetic!

Obviously, I want to be a safe, responsible nurse! It scares me to think I could accidentally kill someone b/c I was in a rush & made an error. In almost any other field an error is easily corrected, yet in medicine it can be deadly or u could even go to jail@!!! ***!!

Please give me your opinions guys, I need feedback.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

Your physician is probalby the best one to answer this question because there are so many variables in treatment and in symptoms. Believe me, there are a lot of nurses who are ADD, but that does not mean they do not suffer. I think you need to contact a professional about this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

you obviously have it under control enough to make it through school.....why the sudden worry now? :smokin:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Can you talk with one of your favorite teachers? At our school, seems like our clinical instructors could always help us relax and keep things in perspective. If you have already have been seeing someone for help with your ADD, it wouldn't hurt to give them a call. They could have a very easy solution that you are unaware of. After graduation, you are going to be surprised at how many of your fellow classmates are having similar feelings. Hang in there. You can do it. I don't even know you and I'm proud of you because you are able to admit you are going through a crummy time right now, but it's only temporary.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think most nurses have a bit of ADD either inattentive type or hyperactive. ADD is a wonderful thing as you will be able to assess patients on multiple levels at once. (For medications always measure twice and cut once.)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.

Nursing school requires dedication and concentration on your part, if you can get through nursing school you will do fine on the job. Keep a notepad in your pocket to remind you of things you need to do and everytime you give meds remember the 5 R's and these are both items I reccomend to all newbies ADD or not. Best of Luck :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.
ADD is a wonderful thing as you will be able to assess patients on multiple levels at once

Huh? Explanation Please? :rolleyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Lactation Ed, Pp, MS, Hospice, Agency.

No one is too ADD to do what they truly love... quit being your own worse enemy! {I hate to admit I tend to do this too though... lol) I suffer just as you have with ADD/Anxiety/Depression..... now grow some confidence. You can do this!! You have proven yourself to be a good nurse already & have managed to make it to your last semester!

{Anything you have to work hard for is worth the time & effort in the long run! Took me 7yrs to become an RN!}

Now you go GF & finish your degree!!

~MJ

Nursing... it's the hardest job I've ever loved! :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in dialysis, m/s.

I was diagnosed w/ ADD/anxiety while in nursing school and I considered changing majors at that time for that reason. I stuck with it, and I am a pretty good nurse despite and maybe because of my lack of attention span.

That fear that you have that you might mess up can be a GOOD thing, as long as it's at a tolerable and fuctional level. Every good nurse does have a certain level of anxiety, or at least a healthy realization that he/she could make a mistake.The truly frightening nurse is the one who believes (s)he is infalliable, or would never admit to making a mistake.

We ADD-ers began developing compensatory habits in early childhood to make up for the ADD..We're a little OCD: chronic list-making or clock-watching or chart-checking and rechecking(and, if it's night shift, rechecking again at 0430).These are the habits that can make or break ANY nurse during a hellishly busy shift, and you probably already have it in the bag.

I have found that giving myself a routine structure for my shift is essential.There are some nurses who are able to just wing it with little structure(and do great work!), but that doesn't work well w/ADD. The other important thing to remember is to pause for just a moment and double-check your med EVERY TIME before you administer.Routine is crucial and if you work toward establishing one, it will work for you.

I recommend counselling and also some independent reading about adults w/ ADD. You'll learn a lot about yourself and how your brain works. At some point you start learning how to forgive yourself for having these 'problems' and realize that you have unique strengths to offer and you are capable of providing excellent and safe and thorough care despite your ADD(or at least thats what happened for me!:redbeathe:yeah::redbeathe:nurse::redbeathe:yeah::redbeathe)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

routines and charting .....I made my own to do list charting paper and if i religiously followed it then i was ok. you still always wonder if you got it done but for the most part you should be fine...chin up....get a system that works for you and youll be fine

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Lactation Ed, Pp, MS, Hospice, Agency.

my MIL gave me the "how are u going to be able to become a nurse if u have LD's & ADD" lecture... made me work 3x harder to achieve me goal!!! & NO she got no invite to my pinning or grad. She still never has admitted she was wrong.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion