Help? I have ADD while in Nursing School

[Audry_Heparin]

I'm in dire need of advice from anyone who has gone though nursing school with ADD (and props to you for doing so by the way).

I feel like I'm slowly starting to fall off the deep end and am entering the red zone of possibly failing my junior year. First and foremost, I find it to be totally and unbelievably inconvenient to have a learning deficit. Given that there is always a tolerance problem and some sort of physiological dependency, which is such a drag to work though. Oh yea, and I am medicated, all day every day.

Having ADD in nursing school has a lot of odds to defy on a daily basis. Like the fact that I always seem to make a carless mistake, procrastinate and perfectionate, never seeming to contribute to class discussions because my executive function so dang sluggish, my mind is an unorganized mess, and I can never seem to fully understand what my instructors are telling me at clinical. But, I am trying to find the things that will set me aside from all the other students that will make me a better nurse because I've never wanted anything else so much as getting my RN degree.

I know I can do this!!

Is there any advice as of the best places to work? so far I've LOVED the OR.

Is there any natural or herbal supplements that work with add?

Is there any advice or motivational strategies that have helped you get though nursing school?

Any ways to help with charting and critical thinking?

**sorry if this seemed impulsive and not properly thought through**

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

PLEASE - IF THAT IS YOUR ACTUAL PHOTO/NAME - replace them with something anonymous. Social media is a dangerous place for nursing students & nurses. You do not want to inadvertently trigger any negative consequences that could result in your dismissal from school or jeopardize your career before it even begins.

Just a thought - have you ever had an opportunity to work with a learning specialist to develop alternative strategies? If not, I would encourage you do do so. They can come up with techniques you may not have considered.

Best of luck to you on your education

[Audry_Heparin]

No, it's not my real name. I am completely aware of that and thank you for your concern.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I found that I focused better when rested, well fed and no one else around. Learn what assists you in focus and then PLAN to do it. I get terribly distracted in groups or public places. I also learned to put studying first. Once I gave myself permission to let everything else slide, then I could relax and study

[dexm]

Are you taking any meds for ADD? If you've tried alternative therapies or strategies and those aren't helping, I would definitely talk to your doctor about medication options. I had undiagnosed ADD until the end of high school, and I experienced the same difficulties with making careless mistakes, not being able to fully understand what teachers are telling me, feeling like my brain is sluggish, etc. Once I started taking Adderall I noticed a significant improvement. Seriously. I went from a C student in high school thinking I was stupid and feeling like no matter how hard I studied I would never make good grades, to an A student in college. I graduated Cum Laude with BSN, and started in an ICU as a new grad.

It sucks having ADD, and I would do anything to not have to take ADD meds to learn/work like a normal person, but my life has completely changed for the better.