Just finished first year... asked to redo orientation

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I just completed my first year on my floor and I like working as nurse. I like the hours, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my patients, I get along with my coworkers and I thought I was doing better. All through nursing school, I felt discouraged because I was just not grasping the concepts. I almost did not want to be a nurse post NCLEX because I foresaw an imposable struggle with becoming a good nurse.

I am pretty sure I have ADHD. I've never been diagnosed but I have crippling fatigue and horrid brain fog that gets incredibly strong every time I step on the unit. It has been hard to develop as a nurse because I feel like I am constantly struggling just to physically get through the day let alone pick up and retain new concepts. My memory and attention span and work is about 35 seconds and it makes it really hard.

So I am now being asked to redo orientation. I am told that I am forgetting lots of small tasks that can add up to a big deal one day. I appreciate my managements willingness to work with me and am hoping to conquer this fatigue issue and start developing as a nurse.

Are there any suggestions out there? My game plan is to see a psychologist and try to find a treatment plan for this add/brain fog/fatigue because I feel like I would have much greater odds to develop. Outside of that I am hoping for the best but planning for the worst.

I work on a Med/Surg floor and the one thing that I can say I am gifted at is starting IV's

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I think most new nurses get "brain fog" and fatigue. There is just so much to do, and I feel ADHD because I'm bouncing from one task to the other. I feel so overwhelmed that I feel like I don't retain the simplest concepts. So what I think you're going through is normal. I feel the same way you do.

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Specializes in Home Care.

Its been my experience that depression and stress can induce "brain fog".

You didn't mention which shift you work, night shift is intolerable by many people.

Have you seen your doctor?

There are lots of great articles to read at Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist

Lucky you that your employer is willing to help you become a better nurse.

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When I corrected some nutritional deficiencies I was having, my energy increased and brain fogginess decreased. Might be worth looking into some physical as well as mental health causes.

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Specializes in Oncology, Palliative Care.

Get screened for ADD/ADHD... I was diagnosed & started meds about 2.5 years ago & it's literally changed my world. Good luck!!

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I work days. I think they are going to put me on a improvement plan which gives me 30 to 60 days to improve or they let me go. It is very generous but I can't get an appointment with my psychologist until late February. I am gonna try the best and I guess that's all I can do. I will save every penny and hope for the best but plan for the worst. It seems like a loosing battle if I can get this add under control

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Specializes in Oncology, Palliative Care.

There's only one doctor you can see? I had to go to a psychiatrist to be diagnosed... My family doctor does refills. If it's really a big deal to you it seems like you'd be searching every avenue for an answer... Maybe you're burned out & deserve a break! There's aren't many things better than a fresh start.

Of couse we cant offer medical advice here, but based on some of your past posts you really don't have any idea why your body/mind are going haywire & that would really worry me... It could be much more serious than chronic fatigue or ADD. *I* would make it a point to go see a doctor ASAP.

Also, as a compassionate nurse, there comes a point where you have to consider the safety of your patients... With all this going on, are you providing the quality care your patients deserve?

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I Have seen about six different doctors and they have run Every lab under the sun. They all say I am "fine" which is very upsetting. I am trying to see. Neuropsychologist and if that doesn't work I am gonna throw in the towel at long last

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Specializes in Oncology, Palliative Care.

I hate to hear you're struggling with this... It sounds overwhelming.

Regarding the topic of ADD/ADHD, a psychologist of any type (neuro or otherwise) is going to focus on behavioral treatments. Meaning, they will attempt to help a patient find ways to treat or eliminate symptoms with the use of behavior & environmental modifications. They could diagnose something like ADD or a psychological problem, but they cannot prescribe medication & would have to refer a pt to a psychiatrist for medication management, regardless of the diagnosis.

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Specializes in Medsurg, Public Hlth, School Nurse, Acute Rehab.

Memory issue aside, why did they allow you to finish a year before telling you that you were missing the small stuff? Seems kind of late I think.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I think waiting a yearknow that they aren't happy with your performance is wrong. I think you need to prepare yourself that they may let you go......What you may need a good brain sheet.......here are a few.

doc.gif mtpmedsurg.doc doc.gif 1 patient float.doc‎

doc.gif 5 pt. shift.doc‎

doc.gif finalgraduateshiftreport.doc‎

doc.gif horshiftsheet.doc‎

doc.gif report sheet.doc‎

doc.gif day sheet 2 doc.doc

‎critical thinking flow sheet for nursing students

student clinical report sheet for one patient

I made some for nursing students/nurses here for AN use and some other an members have made these for others.....adapt them way you want. i hope they help.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Hmm - I know that according to TOS, we have to avoid any type of 'medical advice', but the sx that OP describes are not similar to my experience with offspring (dx with ADHD)... hint... the "H" is for hyperactivity! definitely not fatigue.

If you thought you were 'home free' after orientation and were blind-sided with the news - needing to repeat orientation - this is really unfair & uncalled for. You should have had feedback along the way rather than waiting to the end to drop the whammy.

Best of luck to you. Keep us posted on your progress

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