Can I Take Adderall as an RN?

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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.❤️

Specializes in Med-Surg RN.
6 hours ago, vintagegal said:

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!

Thank you vintagegal. I'm just worried some people might not give me a chance either way. I hope that I can find something that works for me. I'm just afraid, what if I can't ever do well enough?

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Specializes in Geriatrics.
20 hours ago, SNgirl21 said:

Thank you vintagegal. I'm just worried some people might not give me a chance either way. I hope that I can find something that works for me. I'm just afraid, what if I can't ever do well enough?

We all have these feelings when we first start out, it’s normal. You will miss things, you will think to yourself “man I should have done this instead of that”. And that Will continue throughout your career. After all, we are human, we are not perfect. We just do the best that we can with what we got. Hope this helps!

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Specializes in Nephrology Home Therapies, Wound Care, Foot Care..

I’m an RN, and I take Adderall. I couldn’t be as good of a nurse as I am without it. The purpose of the med is to allow your brain- which is wired differently- to function normally. It allows me to remain focused, organized, and provide the highest level of care possible. It also  helps me not to hyper focus- which isn’t a problem for everyone with ADHD, but can be for me.  
 

Don’t worry about drug screens. They will detect it and contact you FIRST. You will provide a great photo of your pill bottle showing your name, date, drug and prescriber. By doing so, you have legitimized the finding, that info is not released to your employer or school. You pass your screen. 

And as far as your family not being supportive- oh well. Not their concern. You were smart enough to recognize a problem, get appropriate care, and deal with the issue. Good for you. That’s part of what will make you a good nurse.

Please don’t do not for one minute think this makes you “less than“. You are not, you’re setting yourself up for success by taking care of your own business. 

 

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