New nurse on MEd/surg with ADHD need tips

c.wicks · Feb 25, 2006

Nurses with ADHD

allnurses.com/forums/f8/nurses-adult-add-40112.html?pp=10[/url]

If you type in adhd under Search on Allnurses website you can access several threads that discuss this subject.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Feb 25, 2006

Check out the Google at the bottom of this page.

Pearlgirl · Mar 14, 2006

hello dawn,

congratulations! i too have add and through experience, learned what works for me. if you take a good report, chart as you go, then prepare for report..........ahhhhh. use a highlighter and different color inks if you need to, the information will be clear, and you will sound as intelligent and brilliant as you really are. if you could do a working lunch break and take 20 minutes to compare your notes with the computer records (uninterrupted i hope :idea: ) that will solidify each patient's story. also the idea of being mentally prepared as well as the tangible information is very helpful. practice in your mind as you assess the patient, how you will present the "pictures" for the oncoming shift nurse.

best wishes,

pearly

Genista, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2006

ADHD or not, you can never be too organized on med/surg! LOL! Most nurses I know use a little pocket "brain" where they write down pt name, MD, dx,code status, vitals, labs, IV fluids, treatments, etc. I jot down any abnormal assessment findings on there, labs, etc.It comes in handy when you are busy, to have your assignment info written down in one place.

Try and chart early in the shift if you can. On my pocket "brain" at the start of shift I write a column for each hour in the shift to organize my shift. When I look at pt's MARS at start of shift, I write in what hours the meds are due for each patient on my hourly timeline. For example, at 1600 I may write rooms 23, 24 25 down. This way, hour by hour, I see the med times. If there are hours with no meds or few meds,I leave that column blank and I try and do treatments then if possible (or chart/make calls). I have a system on my pocket brain (taken from another nurse, heh heh) to remind myself of what charting I got done...I make notations for which patients I already did charting and nursing notes on. Also, on the pocket brain I write in treatments or tasks that need doing and write little boxes next to them for me to check off as I do them. I usually highlight these in yellow (follow up phone calls/dressing changes, lab draws, etc.). If there are orders to call MD for parameters, I write this in red ink on my paper.Things get sooooooo crazy, I always am glad to be organized because it is so easy to forget! For example, if I draw a lab on a patient, I will write a note on my hourly time time or brain to check lab result the next hour...just in case I forget! LOL! Sounds crazy, but it works, and I am good at getting things done.

When you give report, your brains have the abnormals, vitals, and all that already there. Good luck!

johnson0424 · Apr 13, 2006

is this an actual sheet...do you have one that you can send me? I know to get organized i made up a sheet and put about 4 patients on each sheet a space for name, dx, diet, o2, IV, other? this helped me organize my thoughts when i gave report,,it is a bit more writing but i hated those KARDEXES...they never helped

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Apr 14, 2006

I second the suggestion to make up a sheet for organization. I'd send you mine, but I work NICU so I doubt it's relevant. Just make up a sheet that makes sense to you. Computer-printed sheets with blanks are probably best for clarity and neatness. There should be blanks for things like diagnosis, pending labs, then blanks for each hour of time - 0700, 0800, 0900, etc. You can write down any meds or procedures due in the blanks at the appropriate time.

One author on ADHD matters has recommended the OHIO method - which stands for, only handle it once. When you get something in your hand, such as an order sheet, make every effort to completely take care of it and file it away in the chart. The more times you have to stop and come back to something, the higher the potential for a big goof.

And for Christ's sake, remember to SIT DOWN when you get the chance. When my internship preceptor says, 'Eric, would you like a chair?', that's her nice way of saying, 'Eric, you're pacing (swaying, etc) and you're driving me bonkers!'

Good luck!