Any Nurses with ADD? I need your help please!

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Specializes in LTC.

Hi, I have recently been diagnosed with ADD and have started meds although I have not found the right med and dose yet. I am struggling at work to the point that I just got my annual review 3 weeks ago and they put me on a termination plan. I am currently working in LTC. Although I tried to tell them that I have just been diagnosed with this and I am working I changing my time mangement problems amongs others they really didn't want to hear. My DON stopped me dead in my tracks and said she has two boys with ADD and you just have to be accountable for you time and so forth. I think until you have ADD I think that is easier said then done. I am really trying hard and feel like I am getting nowheres. I have been there just over a year and it was not bad the whole time I have been there just since that last fall. My oldest son started kindergarten and I also have a 2 1/2 old and a 17 month old. They all very much demand a lot of attention from me. I work 6 day every 2 weeks on 2nd shift to off set the cost of daycare. It has been a long winter with my kids get sick with colds and my yongest has not slept well since she was born. She has GERD and is on 2 meds for that. Since Nov she has had to be put on a neb with pulmicort because her doctor thinks she has asthma. She is also now seeing an allergerist the possible of allergies causing the asthma symptoms. Then last week she was diagnosed with a rare bone disease called hypophosphatasia . So I have a lot going on in my life and a DON that does not really care because she think that I need to separate home life from my work life. Easier said then done.

Ok so that is a little of what is going on with me so can anyone offer any suggestion on how to organize myself at work to get everything done on time? Is there tips you can offer me that you have found to work for you? Is there a different area in nursing that would suit me better being ADD.

I am not saying I did not totally deserve the review (well parts of it, that a whole different long story), I got but I told my DON I have been working on this since Nov. I am just looking for some credit that I was trying to do something about it before my review came around. Instead I get put on a 60 termination plan.

Thanks for reading and replying, sorry its so long just trying to get some questions out of way you may have for me.

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Specializes in CVICU.

I have ADHD and I've found my groove. That being said, it sounds like a lot of what you are describing has more to do with things going on at home than the actual ADD symptoms themselves. I know stress can make my symptoms worse. Is there anyone at home to help you?

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Specializes in LTC.

I really have ADD I just didn't go that far into my symptoms of ADD. I was trying to paint a picture of what my life is like besides just saying what my symptoms are. They are really with me at work which is the main reason my doctor diagnosed me with ADD. I could describe all of them here but I just didn't want it to be a really long post. It was long enough already.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I am a school nurse and I found a great website ADDitudemag.com that I refer to for help with the ADD/ADHD kiddos. They have a ton of info about adult ADD also. You can probably find great info there. You might look into whether or not your condition can be classified as a disability in order for you to get some reasonable accomodations at work. I do not know the legalities of that, but it is a thought. It might also offer you some protection from being fired without due process. Good luck!

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Specializes in LTC.

Purple_Srubs, thanks for the website I looked at it a little and loved it. As far as a disability I'm not sure about but I will look into it.

Thanks again.

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I also have add. And your DON needs to check into adult add because it is different in adults than in kids. I struggled at work until I finally talked my doctor into meds. I also made myself a worksheet to help myself be better organized. Once your medicine is adjusted right it is easier to pay attention to your worksheet. Look at what your specific problems are and then go from there. Its just because your thoughts are all scattered that things don't fall in to place. So where are your specific problems at. Does it take too much time to do meds, charting or just combining things so it works better.

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mom LPN with 3 children,

You may want to consult an attorney. Go back to your doctor if you get fired. Make sure you are getting fired for you ADD, and not something else, because you will not have a case. Get temporary disability if you can get relieved as a result of your ADD, and take RN online classes as a part of your rehabilitation, which could probably be paid for my the government. This way the kids won't catch all those colds from the day care center. You may though want to still take them there once in awhile for the social interaction, but then again the YMCA is a great place too, and you can go with your children, and is usually for free!!! Like swimming lessons, yea, kids love swimming.

only suggestions

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I went back up and reread your post. If this were me, I would consult with an attorney if I was fired to make sure that I was fired as a result of my condition, make sure your doctor has this documented as well. You have a lot to tend to at home. See what your doctor and attorney can come up with, especially if your condition is going to cost you your nursing position, your career.

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Are you sleep deprived? A lot of people who are sleep deprived do have the symptoms of ADD. It sure sounds like you are with 3 little children.

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Specializes in LTC.

Lexnursingstudent, this is very interesting, thanks for the information. We have free attorney service through my husbands employer so if need be I can do that. Ok I am a little confused by your what you said about the temporary disability to take online classes as part of my rehabilitation. Could you explain this to me a little more? I went and saw my doctor 2 days after my review because I was so upset about my review. At that point I had already started taking Ritalin but it was not helping so she increased the dose. I guess I should add I have a depression (heredity) and anxiety. My anxiety is through the roof because of all of this to the point I have to take Ativan before I go to work. I only need the Ativan for work otherwise I am fine. I showed my doctor the actually review and the first thing on it lists organization & task completion. Difficulty completing own assignments and responsibilities in a timely manner. The say I have a negative attitude that hinders communication with peers andmake it difficult for CENA's to go to me with issues. I had 4 medication errors between 10/08 and 12/08.(No harm done to residents). Ocassionally needs reminder to complete all pieces of admit process. Has difficulity staying on task and organizing time appropraitely to complete job responsiblities. Difficulity following policy and procedures when completeing tasks. This is bits and parts of it. I even have a signed contract with the DON signature and the staff developement coordinators signs that says Improvement plan for me(my name) and it lists 5 things and then it has a paragraph that says The issues described above have been presented to me. Management will closely monitor these issues and employee has 60 days to improve on them or employment may be terminated. Throughout my review she was also says things to me like we do not trust your work on the floor and feel we need to follow behind you and check your work closely.

Do you think I would have a hard time arguing this is not from my ADD?

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Specializes in LTC.
Are you sleep deprived? A lot of people who are sleep deprived do have the symptoms of ADD. It sure sounds like you are with 3 little children.

No, I definetely have ADD. My doctor diagnosed me with it and I am now taking Adderall. This is the second med that I have tried. I just started one a couple of days ago and I can tell a big difference. I just need to get my doctor to give the the XR because having to take it twice a day is difficult for me and may need the dose adjusted some.

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I have ADD, was diagnosed as a child. My mom never allowed the MD to medicate..I never grew out of it. I did however try medication as an adult-but just found that while it made my focus better, it made me feel physically icky, so I stopped them. Everyone I work with knows that I have it, (it's fairly obvious, I kinda have the attention span of a gnat LOL), but I am lucky enough that they kind of work with me, and I have found ways to cope. Here are some of the things I do..

After I get report, I take a copy of my report sheet and leave it at the desk, (I lose track of it every day..really! Just be sure not to leave out for the world to see, privacy issues and such..) That way i have my info on hand no matter what.

Take notes. On everything. I carry around a notepad and when I don't have that, I use whatever is handy, a paper towel, my hand/arm..(there's one doc who actually comments that I must have had a busy day based on the amt of writing on my arms..LOL)

As much as it's possible, take one thing at a time--it can be difficult in a job like ours-multitasking is a huge part of it-but in the areas you can, try. if you have to walk away from something, write what you were doing down in your notebook so you can go back and complete it.

Try not to be too hard on yourself. I always tell people that my being scattered is part of my charm..:D

Good luck with your situation..sending you good thoughts...

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