Any nurses with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)?

Dreaming4acute87 · Jul 24, 2013

I do not have ASD, but if you are a good CNA, then why should you not be a good nurse? Consider asking for some feedback from your employer; what are your reviews like? I am sure you can bring something special to the field. A friend of mine has Asperger's Syndrome and is a music teacher at a public school. She has some mentors and utilizes them when needed. You can do whatever you put your mind to, and nursing is a LARGE and dynamic field of work; you will find your niche!

deadrn · Jul 24, 2013

I have Aspergers Syndrome, as well as chronic depression, and have been a nurse for 16 years. It has certainly been a challenge, but I have managed. I'm currently a NICU nurse and love the job, although small talk with the parents and teaching them is difficult. No one but my immediate family is aware of the Aspergers. I have not disclosed this to my employer as it doesn't affect my ability to do my job on any tangible level. The depression is more of a player in this regard as it results in the occasional ill call, but it interferes no more with my ability to do my job than acid reflux does, ha. The primary problem an autism spectrum disorder is going to have as far as nursing is concerned is in your social interactions. As previously stated, nursing is a very dynamic field; you will find your niche. Personally, I think working in the OR, either as a nurse or a surg/scrub tech, would be the ideal healthcare job for someone with an autism spectrum disorder. Many of the surgeons and anesthesia people would probably have the same diagnosis as you, honestly. Sorry, I can't offer more other than to say you can do anything you put your mind to.

newenglandcna · Jul 26, 2013

My reviews are outstanding, even though I had a few clients request that I don't work for them due to my lack of social understanding. I'm sure I'll find my niche, but I need to be thoughtful about where I work due to my medical conditions. I have rapid-cycling bipolar disorder (more than four episodes of mania and/or depression in one year), ADHD, and various forms of anxiety. I have to be careful in working in high-stress situations; I have been hospitalized twice due to being overwhelmed by my job in combination with being manic within the past two years.

My answer to finding my niche is difficult, and I don't expect anyone to answer it for me. I appreciate that I got comments in regard to my ASD; thank you for your time, everyone.

LL977 · Aug 2, 2013

I have ASD (Aspergers) and I've quit or been terminated from the last 3 jobs. The 2nd job has me on "personal leave" because they claim I am unable to provide safe nursing care. To be honest I'm really really angry. I checked out the Job Accommodations network to get ideas ... they claimed my idea of ear plugs to block out the chatter and constant banter at work was not acceptable. I am going to speak with a JAN representative Monday. They claimed JAN told them that I will be unable to be a nurse in an inpatient setting. (Ridiculous because although I didn't do things that would cost me my license - I did provide safe patient care). I think what it boils down to is that a few people dislike me and because they do not understand or care to understand what goes on in my head - they chose to scapegoat me and write me off.

I saw the post about surgical/or ... that's interesting. I would think that would be very stressful and my stimming would drive everyone crazy. I guess it's worth some further thought though. LOL about everyone in the room having the same diagnosis - it's probably true!

twalkrn · Jun 17, 2018

Hi deadrn,

I realize this is an older post, but I was wondering if you have an above-average IQ. Do you think a person with an IQ in the average range with PDD could handle a job as an RN?

markko · Jun 20, 2018

I have Asperger's and ADHD. I was diagnosed in 2005 at age 45. In 1993, I chose to go to nursing school and work has been good. I have a few strange ways of thinking, mainly the thought process to reach a conclusion varies from normal people, but the result is always correct and the same as a normal nurse. It's just the way my brain works. I've been a critical care 911 ambulance nurse, LTC supervisor, and hospital nurse. No problems. I take Invega 6 mg daily to help with socialization and Concerta XL 54 mg for ADHD.

LudaMama · Sep 4, 2019

Thank you for this. My son is 16 and has autism and ADD. He is currently taking Intro. To Health Care at school and has felt in love. He has decided to become a nurse. As a parent, I have lost sleep and cried my eyes out studying with him in the past. However, with this class, he hardly studied and made straight A's in this class. I am so very proud of him. He and I are going to start mapping out what steps he needs to take and take a tour of the local nursing school. Create a vision board for inspiration and to keep him on his path. Again I am proud of him.

markko · Mar 26, 2020

When I was 16 years old, I took an "Intro to Health Care Careers" course in high school. At age 17, I became a CNA and EMT. I worked as an EMT during my senior year in high school and got the OK to carry an EMS pager in school, and was able to leave any class to respond to the ambulance station for calls. The principal gave me a reserved parking spot in front of the school, and the EMS station was just two blocks away. I ended up getting a D- in Chemistry for the year because I missed so many classes while doing EMS work. I didn't care. I worked as an ER Tech from 1987 to 1993 at the local hospital. I enrolled in nursing school in 1991 and graduated with a BSN in just five semesters. I quickly transitioned from the ER Tech to the RN role quite easily. In 2000, I took a job as a LTC supervisor. From 2005 until retirement in 2015, I worked as a critical care 911 ambulance nurse.

twalkrn · Mar 26, 2020

Thank you for your response. That is wonderful to hear. Stay safe. ??

Terra Stubblefield · Jan 26

I have ASD. I'm 42, an RN for a decade and recently diagnosed. I used to work in IT and I had few problems, as I'm pretty sure I was in a high ASD environment in IT.
As a nurse, I've been fired many times... but also won a litigation case once.
Since I've become a nurse I can't hold a job more than 2 years. I get great scores from patients but I fail with management. I cannot bring myself to agree with their rationales for piss poor patient care and I don't know how to stand by and let patients rights be trampled.
I get fired a lot for "insubordination" but when I ask for an example they never give me one.

I'm "supposed to" have bad judgment and lability but I only get heated when my patients are being treated poorly. I was told as a nursing student that instructors can't "read me" but that I also have a "fierce advocacy" for patients. Which is it?? I don't understand where the dichotomy lies.

I was told that I wouldn't succeed. They tried to kick me out of school but... me and standing for what is right put an end to that.

I'm successful. Despite my "fierce advocacy,” I have found my place in contract nursing... where I can advocate without reprimand. If they do reprimand, I move on to the next. Thankfully I'm a very fast logical learner. Maybe some day an emotional learner ?
Life is hard enough with ASD. I still hold tight to the hope-monster that healthcare will improve for both patients and healthcare workers. Time will tell. But yes, we're here and I assure you we're hated by all social workers and managers.

Shasha, LPN · Feb 14

I know this is a old post...

I'm an neurodivergent nurse with ASD, ADHD, depression, anxiety, and CPTSD. For those who wonder if being a nurse is within your reach, in a lot of cases, the answer is yes; however...everything can be even more complicated and challenging to deal with in comparison to neurotypicals.

One thing I would have to say is that you really have to be self aware and know yourself well.

You have to decide if you want to have any type of accommodations. If so that means discussing your status with school and your employer. This is something you really have to weigh out very carefully.

In regards to communication, honesty it can depend on the type of nursing you go into, as well as the time of day you decide to work. I work day shift at a primary care pediatric facility. Although I do at times have to talk a lot, my nursing task with patient care are very routine day by day. And usually if my routine has to change, ie I have to do the job of a MA vs LPN/RN, I still have an idea of what I need to do. That wouldn't be the same if I was in Med/Surg with a specialty in Ortho, but have to float to Neuro due to staffing. I know I would either have a meltdown or shutdown eventually, if that was the case.

If the idea of communication is a huge turn off for you, OR, Research, Documentation Review are great options. The ICU (especially at night) as well as an observation unit can also be good options as well.