Not Able to Become A Nurse

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2011

What's wrong with working at McDonald's? I flipped my share of burgers and tossed pizzas. No shame in that. Doing fast food work pushed me toward going to college and completing my first degree. The nice people who work at the local McDonald's here would be offended by your comment. Being a nurse takes brains, critical thinking, focus, hard work, and humility. The most successful students are the ones who are naturally inclined and the ones who work their tails off in very unrewarding healthcare jobs. The latter have become hungry for success.

chinacatSN · Mar 12, 2011

I understand what you're going through. My disabilities aren't as profound as yours are, but they're still disabling. In 2009, I was diagnosed with adult ADD - it was a long process, they had to get info from my family, run tests, etc. - because you can't have adult ADD unless you had it as a child. I was never diagnosed as a child, because I was more the daydreamer type who never paid attention, which went unrecognized as ADD because everyone thinks that ADD people are constantly bouncing off the walls.

Anyway, I had focusing problems as well. If I wasn't extremely interested in something, I couldn't do it. Failed algebra several times. Couldn't read a book unless it was dead quiet. Bounced around from job to job because nothing held my attention long enough to make me stay. I've also been diagnosed with GAD (general anxiety disorder) and OCD. So, I may not have impaired brain function (at least not as bad as you) but I have my share of issues.

The meds will help, once you get on the right med and the right dose. I tried around 5 different meds before I found the one I'm on currently - I take 36mg of Concerta in the morning and 18mg at noon. Works great for me - I can focus most of the day, I learn much better, and the Concerta is much easier tolerated than many other meds I've tried (Strattera was the worst!). I'm currently not on anything for the OCD - tried a couple antidepressants but didn't like the way they made me feel, so I just see a shrink a few times a month and work on techniques to try to control it. The GAD is a bit of a challenge...I do take a Xanax every now and then when things start to feel like they're getting out of control (but never on or around a clinical day!).

I'm in nursing school now, my last semester of the LPN program, about to enter the RN program this summer. I never thought I'd make it this far. My grades are fantastic, especially considering that so many nursing students fail out in the first year. I'm managing to be pretty successful at it and I'm sure you can too - it just depends on how bad you want it.

The first step is taking to your doctor about your goals. Maybe he can work with you to not only get your meds figured out but to help you function in a more productive way. Schools have various programs available, to help you make it through and succeed. I'm sure that once you put your mind to it and really set yourself up in a position of determination and success, you can do it.

And if you decide that you don't or shouldn't, that's okay too. Maybe you could become a medical assistant and work in a clinic, or be a CNA and be more hands-on with patients...you could be a lab tech, a phlebotamist, etc. There are many careers in healthcare to consider.

Good luck and know that having ADD doesn't mean you can't learn or are stupid - there are students in my class who don't have any learning disabilities whatsoever who can barely manage to pass and then there are a few, like me and you, who have ADD and other disabilities and we're all doing fine.

Darkpk55 · Mar 12, 2011

I understand what you're going through. My disabilities aren't as profound as yours are, but they're still disabling. In 2009, I was diagnosed with adult ADD - it was a long process, they had to get info from my family, run tests, etc. - because you can't have adult ADD unless you had it as a child. I was never diagnosed as a child, because I was more the daydreamer type who never paid attention, which went unrecognized as ADD because everyone thinks that ADD people are constantly bouncing off the walls.
Anyway, I had focusing problems as well. If I wasn't extremely interested in something, I couldn't do it. Failed algebra several times. Couldn't read a book unless it was dead quiet. Bounced around from job to job because nothing held my attention long enough to make me stay. I've also been diagnosed with GAD (general anxiety disorder) and OCD. So, I may not have impaired brain function (at least not as bad as you) but I have my share of issues.
The meds will help, once you get on the right med and the right dose. I tried around 5 different meds before I found the one I'm on currently - I take 36mg of Concerta in the morning and 18mg at noon. Works great for me - I can focus most of the day, I learn much better, and the Concerta is much easier tolerated than many other meds I've tried (Strattera was the worst!). I'm currently not on anything for the OCD - tried a couple antidepressants but didn't like the way they made me feel, so I just see a shrink a few times a month and work on techniques to try to control it. The GAD is a bit of a challenge...I do take a Xanax every now and then when things start to feel like they're getting out of control (but never on or around a clinical day!).
I'm in nursing school now, my last semester of the LPN program, about to enter the RN program this summer. I never thought I'd make it this far. My grades are fantastic, especially considering that so many nursing students fail out in the first year. I'm managing to be pretty successful at it and I'm sure you can too - it just depends on how bad you want it.
The first step is taking to your doctor about your goals. Maybe he can work with you to not only get your meds figured out but to help you function in a more productive way. Schools have various programs available, to help you make it through and succeed. I'm sure that once you put your mind to it and really set yourself up in a position of determination and success, you can do it.
And if you decide that you don't or shouldn't, that's okay too. Maybe you could become a medical assistant and work in a clinic, or be a CNA and be more hands-on with patients...you could be a lab tech, a phlebotamist, etc. There are many careers in healthcare to consider.
Good luck and know that having ADD doesn't mean you can't learn or are stupid - there are students in my class who don't have any learning disabilities whatsoever who can barely manage to pass and then there are a few, like me and you, who have ADD and other disabilities and we're all doing fine.

Thanks for taking the time to post this. You boosted my confidence, exactly what I need right now, I don't know how else to thank you! I'm going to try my best and work as hard as I can. Hopefully all goes well. I may have llttle dysfunction but I know I can do it.

THANKS

Seas · Mar 12, 2011

How are your grades in high school?

I myself have trouble concentrating, and focusing, but hey I am in my last semester in nursing school and less than 2 months to graduate.

Darkpk55 · Mar 12, 2011

I had 3.7 but only because I tried sooo hard... I basically learned at home, I couldn't focus in class, so I had to learn it at home. The medicine is helping a little bit which I'm glad.

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2011

I had 3.7 but only because I tried sooo hard... I basically learned at home, I couldn't focus in class, so I had to learn it at home. The medicine is helping a little bit which I'm glad.

Then take everything you can take online and learn it at home.

If we weren't graded for attendance in our nurse classes I'd skip everyday and read a chapter out of the textbook instead which is all I do to prepare for class anyway. We only have one class (out of four) in which the teacher modifies the material so I'd love to go only to that one and study the rest on my own.

decembergrad2011, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2011

I also learn best on my own. Some students in my class get mad that I still do fine regardless of class attendance (I don't skip all the time, but miss occasionally). I would much rather do 2 hours of research and reading the text than go to class, and I see going to class as purely a networking thing at times.

2ndyearstudent, CNA · Mar 12, 2011

I have a classmate with spina bifida and ADD. She is going to graduate with me in May.

One thing you may learn from her is that while she is very open about discussing her medical issues, she NEVER, EVER negatively dwells on her conditions.

I hope you can get the help you need to overcome whatever challenges you face. The only advice I can (continue to) give is that you stop beating yourself up on this message board.

NurseYee, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2011

I have several friends with disabilities who are leading productive lives. Do not give up hope. Once you conquer your fears, you will see that the sky is the limit!

Emilynn09 · Mar 13, 2011

I had 3.7 but only because I tried sooo hard... I basically learned at home, I couldn't focus in class, so I had to learn it at home. The medicine is helping a little bit which I'm glad.

This is great!! A lot of nursing is self motivated learning. There's only so much they can cover in lecture, and in clinical... your time there is limited. It really is a lot of self learning and studying at home, which is why nursing school is so incredibly time consuming. There's just so much detail and so much to learn, that it's impossible to cover it all in a lecture.

heelhook80 · Mar 13, 2011

I'm red-green color blind which disqualifies me medically from doing what I really want to do in life. Instead, I'm here. It happens. Just try to find something else to pass your days. You might skip from job to job like I did until you find something you're at least minimally content with to pay the bills.

Dude do you realize a classic sign of ADD is job hopping due to boredom? This is like telling a drunk to drink and figure out his problems.

Cerda, you can't rely on stimulants like adderrall forever. You eventually have to take more for the same affect which can lead to overuse and addiction. So I recommend avoiding stimulants, and this is coming from someone with ADD and experience with ADD meds. My ADD doesn't seem as bad as yours, but I've job hopped, I require quiet place to study to memorize stuff, I think of random childhood crap or deceased friends or how I need to mow the lawn or of a random movie I saw 5 years ago and have a random song playing in my head at any given time, these random thoughts may even distract me during class lecture or exams or when someone is asking me something. However, I am able to function at a high level academically and clinically, and I really excel at fast paced clinical environments because I naturally think very quickly. Just focus on giving yourself a quiet place to study without distractions or time limits, and see if you can make this work. After that, you can start to see if this works for you or not, if not I'm sure you can find an easier profession that pays just as well or just as gratifying if you search enough. Good luck!

chinacatSN · Mar 14, 2011

Dude do you realize a classic sign of ADD is job hopping due to boredom? This is like telling a drunk to drink and figure out his problems.
Cerda, you can't rely on stimulants like adderrall forever. You eventually have to take more for the same affect which can lead to overuse and addiction. So I recommend avoiding stimulants, and this is coming from someone with ADD and experience with ADD meds. My ADD doesn't seem as bad as yours, but I've job hopped, I require quiet place to study to memorize stuff, I think of random childhood crap or deceased friends or how I need to mow the lawn or of a random movie I saw 5 years ago and have a random song playing in my head at any given time, these random thoughts may even distract me during class lecture or exams or when someone is asking me something. However, I am able to function at a high level academically and clinically, and I really excel at fast paced clinical environments because I naturally think very quickly. Just focus on giving yourself a quiet place to study without distractions or time limits, and see if you can make this work. After that, you can start to see if this works for you or not, if not I'm sure you can find an easier profession that pays just as well or just as gratifying if you search enough. Good luck!

True...you may not be able to rely on meds like Adderall forever. Usually, people who use CNS stimulants liks Adderall have to take a "break" from them at times. At least once a year, they recommend you taper down or stop taking completely for at least a week. I taper mine down to only 18mg on short breaks we may have (we have spring break coming up, which is only 7 days long) and for longer breaks, like Christmas break (3 weeks), I taper down to 18 the first week and don't take it at all for the rest.

However, once you learn the material, it's likely that you can work out in the workforce without your meds - because you're not needing to cram so much info into your brain and retain it. As long as your job holds your attention and keeps your mind working, you shouldn't have a problem. There have been a couple clinical days where I forgot to take my Concerta. On a regular day, I notice that I haven't taken it pretty fast. On a clinical day, I don't notice at all - because I'm busy, my mind is occupied, and I probably have some adrenaline going anyway.

There is no shame relying on your meds for school though - it will help you focus and study and retain information you normally wouldn't. If I didn't take my Concerta, I'd be sitting on the couch, watching Desperate Housewives while eating cheetos, instead of studying. Without my meds, studying doesn't hold my attention for long - the books are dry, the print is small, and I get barely any sleep...why study when I can watch something more interesting on TV? So I would definitely recommend that you take your meds at least while you're in school - not to gain any advantage, but to bring you up to where most people are. My classmates have (jokingly) accused me of having an unfair advantage because of my meds...but if I didn't take them, I would be lost and no where near where everyone else is.

Good luck and believe in yourself!