RN - New ADD Diagnosis

[Titania2009]

First I want to say, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the posts about your ADD experiences. I was fired from my last nursing position. I worked for a year in a clinic performing outpatient therapies. Their reason is "falsifying medical documents." The only verifiable history, was a two hour window where vitals were not entered into the computer. Well, we all know that when you have 1 RN with PCT and 12-24 patients, without the backup of your co-workers, some things get missed. But thats not actually falsifying, is it. They also say that co-workers were the ones, telling management that I falsified documents, which I did not. The state I live in is a free to higher, free to fire, with no reason necessary. I had been reprimanded on my tardiness, failure to complete tasks on time, and having disruptive behavior. Of this they are talking about when I would attempt to instruct PCT's or LPN's, about proper procedure. Or when they were doing things to place the patient in jeopardy. And lord knows, I frequently found patients in jeopardy! One had been placed on treatment and wasn't even conscious!!! I didn't really like the job and was looking for another one, just didn't quit before they fired me. Shame on me. I lost 58 hrs of PTO and they fired me one day before I was get a $3300 hire on bonus! They royally suck!!!!

I left the job prior to this one, having similar problems. I even had a major med error, pt was okay, but it shocked me so badly.

Trying to understand the why's, I've come to the conclusion, have been tested, and am getting treatment for ADD!!!!!

I'm really worried though. Am I cut out for this profession? Will I find a job that fits me? I'd like a job with more regular hours and less stress. Like an office or clinic job 8-5pm M-F.

Like many women, apparently, I had been diagnosed with depression for years. Now I find out it could be all or partly ADD! I look back at my life and now know its been ADD my whole life!!! I've read that ADD can get worse when your pre-menopausal. Don't think I'm there yet, but could be why its flared so strong of late.

Would just like to continue a thread with those of you suffering the same as I am. Do I tell my new employer? Do I wait to get another nursing job, until my meds are adjusted? I'm broke! And support two children! I'm just extremely overwhelmed!!!! Making lists, everyday!! Can't wait to meet you! Thank you.

[Titania2009]

Im taking Concerta 72mg. About a month after taking the meds I read through my divorce decree again, it made sense to me for the first time in over a year and a half! I also bought myself a G1 phone from TMobile and added internet access. I carry it with me everywhere!!! I signed up with Google and can keep track of tasks, set up text and email reminders, make notes, add information, anything that comes to mind, and it syncs with everything I use! It's great!! I'm doing much better now! Keep looking for employment, its a tough market in the midwest right now. Especially since I don't want to work 12hr shifts at a hospital and can't afford to take a 25-35% cut in pay! I'm positive I'll find the right job at the right time and fortunately have a wonderful man who's very supportive of my pursuits. I hope you get the help you need, be proactive for yourself!! Never give up!

[Titania2009]

I am a LPN that was diagnosed in Feb of this year with ADD. This year has been extremely rough for me because I was terminated from my job in April because of my ADD. Of course they tired to cover it up to make it look like it wasn't that but I flat out asked my manager what they real reason was and she said it was because of my performance. I was diagnosed in Feb and started on medicated and had a bad annual review which I told them then what my diagnosis and i was started on medication. They put me on a 60 day termination plan and it was towards the end of the termination plan is when they found there excuse to fire me. I had to fight for my unemployment all the way to a hearing where the judge told them in the award letter they had no reason to fire me. I am basically in the place of not know what to do.

Should I continue with nursing or change to something else. I enjoy being a nurse but not sure what area I should work in. With being a LPN I am limited to what I can do. I keep applying to jobs every week and hardly get any calls. I think when they see the reason why you left your last job and I put, I will explain at interview, it either makes them not interested altogether. When they have the question, have you ever been terminated? I have to put yes and then I say I will explain at the interview. I don't get calls. I feel like my career has been ruined from them terminating me because no one wants to hire me now. I know they are thinking in the back of their mind well they must of had a good reason why they wanted to get rid of her. Most of the jobs in my area it seems like I am over qualified for or under qualified for. I am stick in the middle. I thought about going back to school for my RN but not sure if I can handle it right now with a 2 year old, 3 year old, and a 6 year old. We are also in the process of having our 6 year old tested for ADHD/ADD. He has a diagnosis of anxiety and a nervous tic of using the bathroom at school A LOT through out the day his teacher says. I am now questioning a learning disability because he is struggling in school and is in the bottom of his class. I say this because it runs on both sides of my family. So I don't think I could handle going to school right now. I believe what exacerbated my ADD to be diagnosed was my son starting Kindergarten and I was working 2nd shift, having the younger kids, my husband working first shift and my son was playing soccer in the fall so everything was crazy. Thing then got crazy at work and I just went down hill.

So I have been unemployed for 6 months now which looks bad on my resume and have no clue what to do or where to go.

I understand where your coming from sweetie. Stress in other areas of my life, I think is one of the main reasons my symptoms of ADD exploded the past couple of years. I would like to suggest; dont volunteer to any furture employeer that you were terminated. When I'm asked why I left my last job, I talk about the ten hour days and extreme changes in my scheduled hours, which is all true! I don't want to work 10-12 hrs shifts anymore, I need to be at home with my son in the evenings. My former employeer also couldn't commit to scheduling me even near the same times every week. One day I might have to be there at 0430, the next 1000! It was ridiculous! They were also going to extend the clinics operations and require everyone to work till 2300 some days!

Also never speak poorly about a former employer, no matter how horrible, it only reflects poorly on you.

I recently purchased the book Fired to Hired by Tory Johnson. She has a lot of great advice! I also found a book on ADD and your job, called Making A.D.D. Work, by Blythe Grossberh, Psy.D. I purchased both online used and saved some money.

Good luck take care!

[Titania2009]

ALSO---Schools are required by Federal and often times State law to test a child for ADD/ADHD if a parent requests! You may have to put it in writing and send it to the school board, schools psychiatrist, anyone who will respond. There are IEP (individual education plan) ADD when interfering with a childs ability to learn is considered a disability and is covered under section 504 plan or and IEP. I stumbled upon this information last summer and finally understood what I could insist the school do to help my son. I wish I knew about it when he first exhibited symptoms in fourth grade!!! So don't delay!!

Take care!

[LPN&momof3]

I understand where your coming from sweetie. Stress in other areas of my life, I think is one of the main reasons my symptoms of ADD exploded the past couple of years. I would like to suggest; dont volunteer to any furture employeer that you were terminated. When I'm asked why I left my last job, I talk about the ten hour days and extreme changes in my scheduled hours, which is all true! I don't want to work 10-12 hrs shifts anymore, I need to be at home with my son in the evenings. My former employeer also couldn't commit to scheduling me even near the same times every week. One day I might have to be there at 0430, the next 1000! It was ridiculous! They were also going to extend the clinics operations and require everyone to work till 2300 some days!

Also never speak poorly about a former employer, no matter how horrible, it only reflects poorly on you.

I recently purchased the book Fired to Hired by Tory Johnson. She has a lot of great advice! I also found a book on ADD and your job, called Making A.D.D. Work, by Blythe Grossberh, Psy.D. I purchased both online used and saved some money.

Good luck take care!

Thanks, I have been doing what you have suggested when I interviewed. I am proud to say that I got a job today . I got a call from a place that I applied for back in March and interviewed but didn't get the position. They called today because they were looking for another med nurse to do home visits. They have been growing and have been so busy they now need a second nurse for this area. I think they didn't want to take the time to post the position in the paper and go through all of that process and wanted someone ASAP. I went in today and interviewed and she said she would get back with me within a day or two with her decision. She called me about an hour later and offered me the job and I start tomorrow. I am the only person she interviewed so I had no competition and I was able to start tomorrow so I had that advantage but I will take it either way. It is doing home health care visits and at least in this area it is almost impossible to get a job doing home visits without experience. I am very grateful for this opportunity and will work really hard to make it work. It is only 2 to 3 days a week which is what I was wanting with no holidays or weekends.

[thejoebear]

a really great book on add is "driven to distraction" by edward m. hallowell, m.d. & john ratey, m.d. this book is a very good start about life with add through-out all age groups. i found it as an audio-book and played it in the car on my way to classes. it really helped me see the possibilities instead of the limitations. it is over ten years old and still very valid and up to date.

[centralFLnurse2be]

I'm a month away from finishing my 2nd semester of nursing school. I make really good grades, but it has become pretty obvious that other students don't have to work as hard as I do (staying focused is impossible). It takes me so long to study, do care plans, or write papers. I can remember having the same problems since I was a kid. I feel like it has gotten worse recently because I'm having so much demanded of me now. I have a 4 1/2 year old and a newly 2 year old. My husband lost his mother almost a year ago, and he has been depressed for a long time now. I KNOW that I have ADHD, so I'm going to go see a doctor soon. I feel like I'm in way over my head.

I'd write more, but, of course, I should really be studying for my test tomorrow.....

Story of my life.