PJNRN

Thanks for your kind words! I have almost completed a 6-week refresher course, so I am almost ready to return. The course was great--a lot of clinical time. A lot has changed, but it was comforting to note that a lot hasn't changed! I was able to see that I do remember a lot, and the clinical time helped me see the areas I needed to brush up on. Onward and upward!

Interesting question! I was formally diagnosed with adult ADD after the dx of same in my son. I left nursing to become a full-time mom prior to my diagnosis, but am now returning to the field. I do take medication (Concerta and Celexa)which do tremendously help my ability to focus. In the old days, I worked med-surg and I as I reflect back to my unmedicated days, I remember using coffee to help me stay on track. In some sense, having ADD was beneficial--I could change directions very quickly, but was able to hyper-focus during emergencies. I am in an RN refresher course now, and I am finding it much easier to understand certain processes that used to confuse me, and I am more able to slow down and concentrate on what I am doing. I'm also more patient, but maybe that is age versus ADD--who knows. I'm returning to work after the first of the year, so I'll let you know how it goes. You know, one of the biggest problems of adult ADD is admitting to others you have a problem that society thinks either doesn't exist or that you should have grown out of by adulthood! Thanks for posing the question!

I'm planning to reenter the nursing field after (gasp!) 14 years. I've read a lot and stayed up on some stuff, but I know I have a lot to catch up on. I'd love to hear any suggestions, sage words of advice, tips, etc., from any of you brave souls out there who rejoined the workforce after a lengthy absence! Thanks so much!