Going into nursing with a bad memory?

MeAnurse? · Apr 5, 2018

Not too shabby. I never played video games but I was the quiet one I suppose.

MeAnurse? · Apr 5, 2018

I would have predicted that. What you, and others, call lazy translates to it wasn't interesting to you. I would predict you are of above average intelligence to GT student level and you can stay locked onto subjects and activities that you are interested in for hours and hours...the most common being video games. You should have been screened for ADD when you were in the 3rd or 4th grade but you are the quiet type that calls little attention to yourself so you flew under the radar.
So, how did I do?

Not too shabby. I never played video games but I was the quiet one I suppose.

OldDude · Apr 5, 2018

Not too shabby. I never played video games but I was the quiet one I suppose.

My next guess would be movies or reading.

So, as those mentioned above...go see your doctor for an evaluation. I think you'll like the outcome. And best of luck on nursing school!

MeAnurse? · Apr 5, 2018

My next guess would be movies or reading.
So, as those mentioned above...go see your doctor for an evaluation. I think you'll like the outcome. And best of luck on nursing school!

That would be correct. I can watch several Seasons of a T.V. show in a sitting without a problem.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Apr 6, 2018

As someone who has an excellent memory (despite major brain surgery in which one of my hippocampi was removed) I have encountered nurses in every environment I've ever worked in who remark on how I remember everything and how they don't have good memories. I think you just need to develop appropriate organizational skills that work for you. I don't write down as much as some other nurses do but everyone has their own method that works for them.

Amethya · Apr 6, 2018

I have ADD and the same as you, have terrible short-term memory. So what I do is I wear a smart watch and I have my phone programmed to remind me of things I will forget, with alarms and notifications. It's worked amazingly, so maybe that's something you should consider? As well see a doctor, I seen mine and I take Adderall XR, but I had to stop it for a while because of complications it was giving me. But I would speak to a doctor about this, and get you tested. I was tested at 9 years old and they retested me at 25 and I do have ADD.

MeAnurse? · Apr 7, 2018

I have ADD and the same as you, have terrible short-term memory. So what I do is I wear a smart watch and I have my phone programmed to remind me of things I will forget, with alarms and notifications. It's worked amazingly, so maybe that's something you should consider? As well see a doctor, I seen mine and I take Adderall XR, but I had to stop it for a while because of complications it was giving me. But I would speak to a doctor about this, and get you tested. I was tested at 9 years old and they retested me at 25 and I do have ADD.

Thanks for all the feedback. I've never considered ADHD because I'm not hyper active. But now that I've read a little about it i definitely fit the inattentive type ADHD symptoms. Do you know what kind of testing they do to diagnose adult ADHD.

ProperlySeasoned · Apr 7, 2018

Agree with others that you should have a medical evaluation for your memory issues. If they cannot be resolved, I would be highly cautious of going into nursing. Here is the deal - We work in an environment of constant distraction and stimulus. Even those with good to average short term memory have issues "holding" information. Yes, writing stuff down is great, but not always practical. You could have a successful career, but you will likely be swimming up stream.

OldDude · Apr 7, 2018

ADD/ADHD diagnosis is made from a questionnaire.

Amethya · Apr 9, 2018

Thanks for all the feedback. I've never considered ADHD because I'm not hyper active. But now that I've read a little about it i definitely fit the inattentive type ADHD symptoms. Do you know what kind of testing they do to diagnose adult ADHD.

They did a booklet test/questionnaire on me, and then did an interview. Then a few weeks later I got the results.

It was obvious I have that but since I was last tested was when I was 9 years old, they wanted an updated diagnosis, so I had to do this.

MaybeNia, ADN, RN · Apr 10, 2018

So I have the same problem! And I've finished all of my prerequisites and all but 5 of the classes needed to graduate with no classes less than a B. I think mine is worse because I also doze off. I.E. washing the dishes, go to the hall to get more detergent and fall asleep on the couch half way there. There are some supplements at walmart and drug stores that I take that have helped tremendously in my studies (they're $20-$50 depending on what you want). I think I have to study way more than other people and I can't cram because if I study the night before I won't remember. SO I look at the syllabus and start studying a month or so before and just review the few weeks before the test. I found that I ace every test like this because it's now in my "long-term" memory and not my nonexistent short term memory. I get the best grades regardless so oh well! Good luck!

direw0lf, BSN · Apr 10, 2018

I second seeking medical attention.

Just wanted to say. The other day as I changed a client's linen, I found blood tubes (filled) and a heparin needle in the bed. Disgusting and WRONG. Obviously someone forgot. I reported the incident (because the needle hadn't even been capped) That said, everyone forgets things but there's a difference between forgetfulness and negligence.