New Nurse writing about Central Auditory Processing Disorder

[bmorebabynurse]

Hello, all. I am a new nurse, just graduated in December with a BSN. Today, I was let go at the end of my orientation on the Cardiac Progressive Care Unit because they don't consider me safe enough for their patients. I needed more time than they can give me, and they recommended a community hospital in the area that had lower acuity patients with a low nurse to patient ratio (like that really exists!). The preceptors I had did say that they had to prompt me a lot, as well as other things that I had trouble with.

I am also in the process of getting tested for CAPD...something that I had suspected I had, and all these years have struggled in social situations, had to use so many strategies to learn in nursing school, and knew that there was something wrong with my hearing even though auditory testing always came back normal. Until finally an auditory specialist told me I need a "team" to help me. Finally saw a specialist the other day who is referring me for testing.

So it's no wonder I needed prompting and am struggling so much with this new profession. I am worried about applying for a position in a hospital where all patients are vulnerable, and let's face it...all hospital units are demanding. I don't know where to apply- in a hospital setting? Hospice? Home Health? Office setting? Plus i have to consider my limitations to preserve my license and patient safety. Any thoughts?

I am really hoping I would hear from those who are diagnosed with CAPD or something similar in which you would need extra time in learning, understanding new information in a clinical setting. Thank you!

[Wuzzie]

I am also in the process of getting tested for CAPD...something that I had suspected I had, and all these years have struggled in social situations, had to use so many strategies to learn in nursing school, and knew that there was something wrong with my hearing even though auditory testing always came back normal.

So sorry this has happened. What a blow at the start of your career. It's good that you are following up on this and perhaps once you have a diagnosis and a therapy plan you will be able to find a nursing job that fits your needs. One thing I wanted to clarify. There isn't anything wrong with your hearing. That's why your audiology tests have come back normal. It's the way your brain is processing what you're hearing that is the issue. My mom used to work with elementary students with CAPD. It is a surmountable disability but takes a lot of work. It's truly unfortunate that your possible diagnosis is coming this late in the game. Good luck to you.

[bmorebabynurse]

Thank you for your response, Wuzzie! And thank you for clarifying. I am hoping that I do find something suitable for a new grad, but accomodating to my limitations and not put patients' lives at risk. You know that I am 40 years old and just in the process of getting diagnosed?? I had been able to cope with it until now since nursing demands so much of what I didn't know I lack that much of.

[caliotter3]

You can choose to work in an environment where you only have one set of parameters to deal with at a time. Extended care home health lends itself to this as you are working with one patient at a time. Providing care for one person for an entire shift gives you time to complete all required tasks. You have a better environment to ask for repetition of instructions, and can decrease the amount of stimuli that you must process all at once. There is nothing wrong with the concept of taking care of one person at a time. Many people who work in this area of nursing say that they derive a sense of satisfaction from being able to do more for their patients than they could on a harried, overwhelming floor in a facility.

[bmorebabynurse]

CaliOtter3, can you tell me more about Extended Care Home Health- the difference between that and just "home health" and what usual types of patient populations I would deal with in Extended Care Home Health? And would they take new grads?

[KR]

Extended Care Home Health is what others call Home Health Private Duty nursing. U r with 1 patient the entire shift. Some people get full time hours and prefer to be with the same patient all the time. The majority of private duty cases r kids. Some companies will hire new grads some dont. There is a Private Duty Nursing forum under nursing specialty i believe. Some kids have trachs and r on vents, have feeding tubes, others are not on vents but may need watched for seizures and such. One case i had was a 5 pound 3 month old premie on TPN, he was my fave♡♥

[KR]

Interim Healthcare, Bayada Home Health, PSA (Pediatrics Services of America) are a few of the bigger home health companies.

[Akina08, ASN, BSN, RN]

I was diagnosed with APD at age 6 and ADD at age 9. I have been a nurse for almost 4 years now, and I have worked Long-Term Care, Med-Surg, and ER so far. I would say an excellent place to start in your nursing career is an office setting because there is a routine in the environment. You could also consider Long-Term care because not many changes in the patients or methods as well.

[abundantblessing]

I can relate to this as in my 40s and was diagnosed with Central APD. I struggled in an LPN program because it was too fast paced. Chose another program for RN to take my time with classes and school has set up an IEP for me. In my LPN clinical experience I felt quite disconnected but if given the right support would have done better. Ironically was best student in AP course work.
 

It was bittersweet getting diagnosed, wearing aids and plans for therapy but it won’t stop me only delay my life long goal of becoming a Nurse. Hope this helps anyone else - you have to be creative - I didn’t believe in myself until the RN program offered to do whatever it takes to see me succeed.