aspergers

papersacknurse · Dec 31, 2011

So i just found out i have symtoms of aspergers. What i want to know is can a nurse with aspergers make it in the nursing field. And has anyone worked with a nurse with aspergers.

My son has aspergers,I don't know how old you are but if you are an adult and you are comfortable around other people and able to be comfortable in the usual social norms I don't think you will have a problem. My son is usually uncomfortable around people until he gets to know them.

neverbethesame · Jan 2, 2012

I would suppose that it depends on the severity of it. Did your doc tell you? I would recommend getting into counseling as this may take major adjustments- not even on the outside but in how you think and feel about yourself. I got back into counseling when I received my ADHD and LD diagnosis and it helped so much. Good luck to you!

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 2, 2012

Yes and yes :)

As far as nursing goes, the issue is mostly how you will interact with other people (both patients and coworkers). Wish I could give you the ready recipe for success, but it's not that cut and dry.

Knowing about Aspergers definitely helps, so I suggest that you read up on the condition so you can understand your symptoms. Also be sure to follow up regularly with your doctor. And I agree with the last poster: counseling can definitely be beneficial.

jose2010 · Jan 2, 2012

Thanks for the replys. I have only been to the doctors once but durning my next doctors appt. I will bring up the fact that i want to go into nursing. to meriwhen i haven't done a hole lot of reading up on aspergers but plan to on my winter break.

LarisaLee · Oct 6, 2012

Symptoms of? As in which ones?

Detail oriented, focused, on time and a perfectionist are all great ones.

As I saw on another post of Asperger's and nursing, many people associate the syndrome with a cold, unfriendly attitude. This isn't always the case.

Some Aspies have a lifelong wish to please people. They are often very loving one-on-one. Perhaps they also communicate normally with a small group - but they freeze as soon as the place gets crowded. Some don't like to meet any new people. The latter should probably think really, really hard about a nursing career. If this person warms up to people, he or she should at least should go into a field in which he or she would be encountering the same patients regularly and would be performing the same types of tasks on them. For instance, a dialysis nurse might be a fairly good fit.

Consider your reaction to having your schedule constantly disrupted, too. Not saying you can't be a nurse, but you may not be suited for an institutional setting. Perhaps private practice.

I am actually just now writing a research paper trying to narrow down my own focus, which is how I found your question. I thought I was honed in on home hospice. Now I am thinking about several other settings. In any case, I want to go where my specific skills are an asset, not a liability.

Indy, LPN, LVN · Oct 15, 2012

If the condition is mild, and you are able to focus on your work, you have the potential to explore the field of nursing. I hope you do find what you enjoy doing for a living. My 20 year old is a high-functioning moderate autistic with some retardation. She wanted to be a nurse for a long time until she found out people poop in beds and nurses clean that up. It was the fastest I have ever seen her change an opinion on something! However she does want to have a career doing basic volunteer helping-type work, and sees herself as an advocate for anyone who needs help.

The previous poster pointed out a wish to please people; I would say it is also a bit of a late-blooming empathy that can definitely be a good thing and should be encouraged. The process of finding a job that makes anyone, aspie, autistic, normal or whatever, feel like they "belong" is part of self-actualization and that sense of purpose is worth the world. I hope, again, that you find what you can do to succeed.

GeneralJinjur · Oct 30, 2012

One of the psych nurses I work with certainly appears to be on the spectrum. She becomes quite frustrated with the rest of us who don't memorize new rules instantly and may not do things the same way twice. We become frustrated with her inflexibility and rigid routines. She has years of psych experience and her limit-setting works very well with manic and psychotic patients.

My 14yo has autism and has no interest in going into nursing (although he likes that I help sick people). He wants to be a Lego designer when he grows up. What about nursing do you find appealing?

rarecircumstances · Nov 1, 2012

Hi Jose!

I am really curious about what your symptoms specifically were, how old you were when diagnosed and how and why, if you know, did it go under the radar for so long? I have often felt that I too may have asperger's or be on the spectrum. I have taken a couple of online self-diagnostic quizzes and the results, however inaccurate or unreliable, pointed to the possibility that I do have it. I think that there are many challenges in life that we all face and if you really want something strongly enough you can most likely achieve it. Nursing has so many different avenues and I am sure that you (and I) can find the right fit, I hope anyway! Best of luck to you, please share as you make your decision and take your journey whichever path it leads you down.

CNA_meg2014 · Jan 29, 2013

So i just found out i have symtoms of aspergers. What i want to know is can a nurse with aspergers make it in the nursing field. And has anyone worked with a nurse with aspergers.

Of course. It's not like you wear a big blinking neon sign that says "look at me, I have Asperger's. don't hire me." I was diagnosed with AS at 3 years old. I've been working as a CNA at a nursing home for 9 months. Most of my co-workers and residents love me. Not that many people know that I have Asperger's and the ones that do don't really give a s***. As long as you know you can make it, you can. Don't give up and God bless.

canned_bread · Feb 5, 2013

I have Aspergers (diagnosed at approximately 15 or 16 I think) and my case is classed as moderate. I have not had any problems between myself and patients, but have had a few problems between colleagues and myself if they don't understand who I am and they may not understand I am "frank", not being offensive. I just sometimes accidently tell it how it is, or say inappropriate things! Most people assume I just have a quirky sense of humour. Quirky I think is a great word to describe it! Also, and this is embarrassing when I get overly excited I flap my hands to let the "excitement out" sometimes.

I have not informed anyone at my work except for very close people I would call "friends", because quite frankly it is not their business. I would only inform people if a situation escalated to HR. People can be biased and afraid of what they don't know, and therefore may look down upon me or my work.

Oh, and I do not have a strict routine obsession or anything like that like some people do (That would be hard with nursing! Patients don't follow what you want to do sometimes!). I find things easier to understand when they have rules attached to them and things are going by the rules, however my case has more to do with social interactions and thinking things in black and white.

If you would like to PM me to find out more or anything I am happy to chat. Basically, don't let a diagnosis get in the way of what you want to do - nursing has SO MANY AVENUES!!

Sadala, ADN, RN · Mar 11, 2013

Asperger's is officially about to fall from the books of the upcoming DSM V. Just an FYI.

But really, in respect to any field you should look at your strengths and weaknesses and then decide if that field is right for you and if you will be an asset in that field. You can't live your life by labels. Particularly as they seem to change all the time anyway...