Nurses with ADD/ADHD?

Nurses Stress 101

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Hey all! I was wondering if there are any nurses with ADD/ADHD out there who want to comiserate and support each other? I know I need the help/advice. It might also be a place for "regular" people (I hate the word normal) to come and read and understand what its like for us. Or ask us ?'s.

I'll start with an intro:p I'm 29, and I've had an official diagnosis for less than 2 years, but have been trying to find the answer (for what's up with me) for MUCH longer than that:uhoh21: :) I currently work night shift at a drug rehab and on call at a nursing home. I have a lot of trouble in staff meetings - sitting through them, being treated like a brat because I actually show some emotion. I had much difficulty in school, (I didn't know back then), not with grades but with social stuff. I almost got kicked out of school because of the problems I was having.

But its not all bad. I'm funny and creative and often am able to connect with my patients in unique ways.

So we'll see how many of us there are out there?:)

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

Im obviously one of those slow talking calm and sedate people sometimes they even check my pulse to see if Im still alive. I hear The same way too. Some of those fast talking gibberish people I just nod and smile at them and totally ignore them.

A Slow Smooth Golf Swing is Better Than A rushed Hurried swing

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Im obviously one of those slow talking calm and sedate people sometimes they even check my pulse to see if Im still alive. I hear The same way too. Some of those fast talking gibberish people I just nod and smile at them and totally ignore them.

Earle58 and I would be smacking you upside the head left and right in an attempt to push those words out once and for all! :p

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Earle58 and I would be smacking you upside the head left and right in an attempt to push those words out once and for all! :p

:rotfl: or better yet, blow you completely off and onto other tasks at hand.

and why is it i always have 20 tasks going at once, all incomplete?:chuckle

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Just a vent i was trying to help my daughter do her homework tonight, Simple fractions subtraction i just couldn't focus on her work, when i look @ that i wonder if i can not help my daughter do her math homework how will i ever survive in nursing going to see my doctor on the 26 of Jan to see if for sure it could be add, Or if i'm just having a bad mind game with myself on not bn able to focus on any matter at hand, hopefully i will find the right path to get this in order to help me to be a great nurse, it will be a long path although there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks for listening to my problems have a great year

Jerry, RN hopefull :rolleyes:

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:rotfl: or better yet, blow you completely off and onto other tasks at hand.

and why is it i always have 20 tasks going at once, all incomplete?:chuckle

Doesn't EVERYONE have 20 things going at once and none of them done?

However, I propose we finish the TeeUpTime task! :chuckle

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Just a vent i was trying to help my daughter do her homework tonight, Simple fractions subtraction i just couldn't focus on her work, when i look @ that i wonder if i can not help my daughter do her math homework how will i ever survive in nursing going to see my doctor on the 26 of Jan to see if for sure it could be add, Or if i'm just having a bad mind game with myself on not bn able to focus on any matter at hand, hopefully i will find the right path to get this in order to help me to be a great nurse, it will be a long path although there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks for listening to my problems have a great year

Jerry, RN hopefull :rolleyes:

Jerry...

There is ALWAYS a light at the end of ANY tunnel. Sometimes it's just not the light you were expecting. Try not to have expectations so if it turns out to be something different it's easier to accept. That sounds like I'm referring to nursing school and I am NOT! I mean the dx, it could be lots of things. Find out for sure, get treated, and have an easier life.

Why stand when you can sit ... kinda thing.

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However, I propose we finish the TeeUpTime task! :chuckle

sheeesh, forgot about him. ok 21 tasks.

wait....he's been dopeslapped already.

1 task complete.:D

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Just a vent i was trying to help my daughter do her homework tonight, Simple fractions subtraction i just couldn't focus on her work, when i look @ that i wonder if i can not help my daughter do her math homework how will i ever survive in nursing going to see my doctor on the 26 of Jan to see if for sure it could be add, Or if i'm just having a bad mind game with myself on not bn able to focus on any matter at hand, hopefully i will find the right path to get this in order to help me to be a great nurse, it will be a long path although there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks for listening to my problems have a great year

Jerry, RN hopefull :rolleyes:

having problems with helping your daughter does not rubberstamp you with add/adhd. it could be a myriad of disorders, or simply stress. sometimes when i'm helping my kids, i become hyperfocused and cannot stop on one problem until it's been solved. and it's just not with homework.

in nsg., yes we multi-task. and yes, you can be doing 10 things at once.

the difference w/add is the multi-tasking is not intentional. we start doing one thing, get sidetracked into another, then another, remember the initial task at hand, get distracted again and your mind is one blurry electrical current. although i will never, ever be organized, i am comfortable in my mess.

if you want some insight into add, i read this book "the ADDed dimension" by kate kelly and peggy ramundo. it was spectacular.....except i forgot what it's about; but do remember it leaving a most positive impression. these ladies are also the authors of "you mean i'm not lazy, stupid or crazy?!"

but again jerry, don't try to dx yourself. if you suspect add, call your md who will refer you to someone who specializes. much luck to you.

leslie

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Thanks Leslie will look up info will post back on matter after Dr appt.

Jerry:) :balloons:

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;) here is my intro: any comments anyone?

hello everyone! i received my bachelor's in nursing after hard work in 1991. i was 37 years old then.i am returning for another interview at a state prison where they had told me i would not get the job even though i interviewed well, because i am on probation for 2 mistakes in 1995. i was out of nursing for awhile and was reinstated in ca in 2004. i went to a nursing refresher school and worked in a ltc for 2 weeks. i love older people. i made a med mistake, was fired, and was diagnosed with adult adhd. (i tried to tell doctors in the 80's and then again in 95 i had adhd, they said no. i was also diagnosed in 99 with it, because i convinced a different doctor i had it. i went off the meds when my husband went to pa school because i thought maybe it went away and we could not afford the meds with no insurance)this is what caused the first two mistakes and the recent one. my background is icu, home health, step-down and sub-acute. i was icu for 3 and 1/2 years. i cared for prisoners there too. suicide attempts. lots of mva's. i was ccrn 94-97. my favorite job was home health. i love teaching. i have looked for many jobs. the larger hospitals won't hire me because i am on probation. the smaller hospitals won't hire me because they don't have enough staff. the blood center would not hire me either.i need maximum supervision for the first 6 months. some of my newer friends are wondering why i continue to stay in nursing. my older friends and my former icu team leader on nights, who will give prospective employers a recommendation for me, is glad i am returning to nursing. i cannot teach or work for travel agencies. i don't want to work in icu or er. i worked in a small hospital once and loved it, had a little bit of everything, back when i was good a t starting iv's.

isn't it odd that they asked me to come again for an interview? they are not calling it a second interview but a new one. the first one had 4 nurses with one doctor asking me scenario questions.

i sent a fax, describing my situation, to lois capps in washington. she is rep for santa barbara and a former nurse. she helped spearhead a bill that will improve the nursing shortage problem. i also want to contact senator cantwell in washington state who understands about adult adhd and wants to increase public awareness. i also have been emailing a nursing school teacher who has adhd.

any comments anyone?

granna94

hang in there. keep working on it. i'm sorry about the mistakes but i believe things will get better in time. my question is about the probation: do you mean your licence is on probation or are you on probation for criminal stuff? not that my opinion will change. i just suggest hanging in there. someone will give you a chance.

i've never been on probation but when i first started in the hospital, i had such a difficult time. i made a med error and they extended my probationary period. i just didn't understand hospital nursing because i've worked for childrens aid since i graduated from school. the staff could have easily been frustrated with me and i could have been fired. i made a mistake with the morphine and didn't give it on time. but they gave me a chance and really worked hard with me. boy did they ever work hard with me. i just didn't get it. but when i finally did.....

have faith that someone will give you a chance. and even if it's in icu or where you don't want to go, take it anyway. proved yourself and then maybe you can be choosey about where you go.

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need some advice:

There is a job posting in my area at a walk in clinic. I currently work at a In patient rehab unit and I am trying to get out of it asap. I feel like I am not improving there and I feel frustrated that I cant get everything done or I am there late. I have other reasons for wanting to get out of the hospital setting, but I am wondering if a walk-in clinic is right for me. Is it a place that someone with ADD can thrive? is there a way that I can take courses to build up my critical skills in prep for this (or any job)? Any advice is appreciated.

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need some advice:

There is a job posting in my area at a walk in clinic. I currently work at a In patient rehab unit and I am trying to get out of it asap. I feel like I am not improving there and I feel frustrated that I cant get everything done or I am there late. I have other reasons for wanting to get out of the hospital setting, but I am wondering if a walk-in clinic is right for me. Is it a place that someone with ADD can thrive? is there a way that I can take courses to build up my critical skills in prep for this (or any job)? Any advice is appreciated.

Have you looked at the detailed job description? There are some places where the RN has to do things like obtain insurance auth for various procedures. Totally depends on the clinic and how organized they are. If it is chaotic, you are trading one fire for another.

First thing might be to get an extremely detailed job description from someone who works/worked there. Get an idea of exactly what the job is and what support staff do. See if you'll be doing nursing work or support staff work.

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