Can I Take Adderall as an RN?

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Specializes in Med-Surg RN.

Hi there, new grad RN here. I recently got let go from my first nursing job after 8 weeks of orientation because I wasn't progressing enough. I was already very depressed and struggling each day at work. I was showing up but found myself completely overwhelmed. This week I had a Drs. appointment and was surprised to hear her diagnose me with ADD and prescribed a low dose of Adderall. To be honest the thought of taking it makes me nervous as I don't know how I feel about this new diagnosis, and I also have a lot of anxiety in general but if it will help I am willing to try I guess. I am wondering though about whether I'm allowed to take Adderall as an RN? Can a hospital refuse to employ me even if I have a prescription? I'll be looking for a new job, so I'm just wanting to be informed. Thanks in advance.❤️

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

I wouldn't think it would be a problem, SNgirl.

One of the nurses I worked with at Wrongway was dx the same as yours and they took Adderall.

This nurse was very intelligent, had a great sense of humor, was good at their job, and just required a bit of focusing for my tastes. 

Heck, this nurse was also a pretty darn good house supervisor for a time!

Good luck, SNgirl!

 

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Specializes in Med-Surg RN.
2 minutes ago, Davey Do said:

I wouldn't think it would be a problem, SNgirl.

One of the nurses I worked with at Wrongway was dx the same as yours and they took Adderall.

This nurse was very intelligent, had a great sense of humor, was good at their job, and just required a bit of focusing for my tastes. 

Heck, this nurse was also a pretty darn good house supervisor for a time!

Good luck, SNgirl!

 

Thanks, I hope I can be a good nurse. I feel like getting let go really shattered what tiny shred of confidence I had left. I totally understand their decision though. I wasn't improving. I was totally overwhelmed.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
40 minutes ago, SNgirl21 said:

I wasn't improving. I was totally overwhelmed.

Understandably so. With all those neurons firing, it would be difficult to not feel overwhelmed. I'm a little surprised you weren't dx earlier in your life, butcha never know...

I'm not as up on Adderall as I am with other psychotropics- and I'm relatively certain you understand this- it has a paradoxical effect on hyperactive types. Basically, it speeds up someone who is not hyperactive and slows down those who are.

Monitor yourself and have those close to you monitor your behavior also. It would also be advantageous to learn other methods to decrease the hyperactivity, racing thoughts, anxiety, feelings of being overwhelmed, and the like.

Relaxation and meditation, along with a healthy lifestyle, exercise, sleep, nutritious diet, etc. is important.

Again, good luck, SNgirl!

 

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Specializes in Med-Surg RN.
2 minutes ago, Davey Do said:

Monitor yourself and have those close to you monitor your behavior also.

Thanks Davey Do for taking the time to respond. Unfortunately, I do live with my parents and sister, but my family is not the most accepting when it comes to mental health issues, so I don't really share these things with them, but I will definitely try to be as self-aware as possible and I have a follow-up in 3 weeks. Thanks again-I'll try not to bug you anymore

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.
1 hour ago, SNgirl21 said:

I feel like getting let go really shattered what tiny shred of confidence I had left.

Wishing you all the best as you go forward. One thing I would recommend is to not dwell too much on being let go. If it comes up in your interview an answer like, "the position wasn't a good fit during my orientation" is acceptable. I wouldn't share with new coworkers that you were let go from a previous position, you want them to have no preconceived notions or bias while you're adapting to a new position. 

You can definitely be successful as a nurse. Don't let one bad experience shake your confidence. You made it through nursing school and your board exam, you will become a competent nurse, there are many others that have similar diagnoses working successfully in the field. Take care of yourself!

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
12 hours ago, SNgirl21 said:

Thanks again-I'll try not to bug you anymore

This line reminds me of what some patients use to say to me, and I would typically reply, "It's not a bother, it's my job, and you're the reason I'm here".

I came to allnurses over a decade ago and it was because I wanted to share my knowledge and experiences with like-minded nurses.

So, you're not bugging me, SNgirl- the way I see it, we're at a party and just took a couple of spins ln the dance floor!

Excuse me now.

I need to pirouette off of the dance floor.

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Specializes in Med-Surg RN.
1 hour ago, Davey Do said:

This line reminds me of what some patients use to say to me, and I would typically reply, "It's not a bother, it's my job, and you're the reason I'm here".

I came to allnurses over a decade ago and it was because I wanted to share my knowledge and experiences with like-minded nurses.

So, you're not bugging me, SNgirl- the way I see it, we're at a party and just took a couple of spins ln the dance floor!

Excuse me now.

I need to pirouette off of the dance floor.

?Awe, thanks! I always say no problem & my badge says no problama, LOL

1 hour ago, Davey Do said:

This line reminds me of what some patients use to say to me, and I would typically reply, "It's not a bother, it's my job, and you're the reason I'm here".

I came to allnurses over a decade ago and it was because I wanted to share my knowledge and experiences with like-minded nurses.

So, you're not bugging me, SNgirl- the way I see it, we're at a party and just took a couple of spins ln the dance floor!

Excuse me now.

I need to pirouette off of the dance floor.

I was trying to attach a picture of the llama badge but I can't LOL. It is funny, you'll just have to imagine it

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Specializes in Critical Care.

yes you can.

I had no idea, nor even considered the idea, that I had adhd. and getting treated made a world of difference. 

I was on a slew of anti depressants, anti-anxiety meds, and some docs wanted to try meds for bipolar disorder. been on prozac 4 times, zoloft twice, lexapro, ativan on and off, xanax, seroquel, trazdone, wellbutrin, and more... and that went on from ages 17 - 25 with few to no benefits, and many side effects.

once a doc decided to eval me for adhd at age 25 (five years ago), im off most med, and currently just take low dose anti depressant daily, anti-anxiety med PRN, and then depending on the day, I'll take either my long acting or short acting stimulant meds (adderall). 

friends, significant others, and family will not always accept this. but it doesnt matter - you need to do what is best for you. and if those meds work, then thats awesome. there are many nurses on medications. as long as you have a provider who is prescribing them for a diagnosis that is appropriate and you are taking them as prescribed, youre fine. 

id encourage you to take a look at this video. it was very helpful for me and very real. I hope it is helpful for you too 

 

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Specializes in Peds ED.

Your mileage may vary but my anxiety improved on stimulants for ADHD: struggling and then feeling bad about struggling with “easy” things for others was a huge contributor for me.

I’ve started multiple new jobs on ADHD meds. Make sure you are compliant with your prescriber and have an active RX while you take them. When you get called by the drug testing company they will want your RX number. 

And as an aside, I’ve found med surg and inpatient nursing in general to be terrible fits for ADHD, at least mine. ED is where it’s at- a specialty couldn’t be more tailor-made for ADHD.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
On 1/7/2022 at 3:33 PM, SNgirl21 said:

 but my family is not the most accepting when it comes to mental health issues, so I don't really share these things with them, 

While it is sometimes mis diagnosed as a mental health disorder, the diagnosis of ADHD is complex medical diagnosis. While some psychiatric medications may be helpful to those severely effected some cases do not require any medications. Just as we are now learning that autism is a medical diagnosis the same is true for ADD/ADHD. 

Inaddition to following treatment recomendations from your provider I would encourage you to read all you can about the disorder and to follow @Davey Do's advice for self care. Relaxation and meditation, along with a healthy lifestyle, exercise, sleep, nutritious diet, etc. None of this things can hurt and you will be one up on the DX.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

What’s more unsafe … taking a medication to help you focus and be aware of critical changes with your patients or not taking the med and being all over the place ? I say, take your meds! No shame in things you can’t control. If you were a diabetic taking glipizide would you worry about taking your prescription? Hang in there, I support you!

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