Terminated because of my Attention Deficit Disorder

[LPN&momof3]

Just needed to vent a little. What a rough day today, I was terminated today because of may ADD. I made this clear with the DON when she was terminating me if it was based on my work performance and she said Yes. I have just recently been diagnosed and started on meds and still trying to find the right dosage. She is aware of the diagnosis and I reminded her of this again.

I am upset and hurt and she was not willing to work with me on this until I got my meds straigthen out. She has said before how I am such a strong nurse and I can do the job but I just need to be more organzied and have better time mangament. Now she does not want to work with me on this.

Thanks for listening.

[Freedom42]

I have been there a year this past Dec. To make a long story shorter, at my annual review they put me on a termination plan based on my performance. Time mangaement & organization, being negative towards others, and some others but all that points towards the ADD. Just prior to this review I was diagnosed with ADD. I had been seeing my doctor since Nov. about getting in trouble for punching out late and not staying on task. Well I finally got the diagnoses on Feb 20th. My review was March 5 and my termination plan was for 60 plans, well they terminated me today. My doctor has seen my review and I talked to them today and she suggested I get a lawyer and she will back me up with any info I need.

I don't know a lot about ADD. How is "being negative toward others" attributable to the disorder?

[leslie :-D]

I don't know a lot about ADD. How is "being negative toward others" attributable to the disorder?

great question, freedom.

unless it had to do w/poor impulse control and getting herself in trouble that way...

leslie

[Seagate]

Wow, this is a very touchy subject. On the one hand I feel for you but on the other I think there might be certain disorders that people have that perhaps aren't best suited for nursing. What I mean is, if a person has ADD and is a realtor (for example) and they make a mistake it's probably not a big deal. On the other hand, a nurse with ADD might kill a person.

[beatnhrt]

"Making mistakes" has never been an issue in my struggles with ADD. I probably "waste" a lot of time checking and rechecking because I will NOT have errors! My problems are mainly trying to stay organized and get the charting done on a crazy shift.

Imagine trying to concentrate in a room with 30 people talking and 10 different radio stations all playing at the same time. That's how it feels to me with ADD. Some days are good, some days are bad. I refuse to treat my ADD with medications, but, that is another story.

[WalkieTalkie, RN]

Wow, this is a very touchy subject. On the one hand I feel for you but on the other I think there might be certain disorders that people have that perhaps aren't best suited for nursing. What I mean is, if a person has ADD and is a realtor (for example) and they make a mistake it's probably not a big deal. On the other hand, a nurse with ADD might kill a person.

How ignorant. I have ADHD. My co-workers like working with me, and I'd like to think that I'm a damn fine nurse. If anything, all the extra energy I have keeps me on top of things.

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

I know this is the unpopular opinion, but I have to side with your employer. You mentioned several performance issues you've been flagged on for months. (I am also wondering a bit about the "being negative towards others.") You were put on a termination plan, that you were aware of. These problems were not resolved in the said time. That gave more than enough time, IMO, to present your employer with documentation from your MD (I can't tell from your posts if this was done....you said you TOLD them, but that was all). It does sound to me like an excuse. I think you are making a leap in saying you were told that your ADHD is the reason. Your post was, "I asked if this was the reason, and she said it was due to my performance." In your mind it's the same thing, I don't believe that it is the same thing. That certainly ISN'T what they said, at any rate ("you're being terminated because you have ADHD.") Your psychiatrist could have put you on a medical leave if she believed your performance was that much affected, so that it didn't result in termination. I don't believe (and if that's just me, that's fine) that ADHD is a disability. I have dealt with severe depression in my life, which at times HAS affected my performance at work, sadly (TO the point that my psychiatrist said he was willing to work with me in securing a medical leave while I got back on more *solid footing*, if you will), but IMO that was something that I needed to learn to deal with and to work with (and in fact, I think I would have been worse not having that particular direction in my life at that point in time). People jump to feeling legally wronged much too quickly. You KEEP mentioning the staying over late to chart, but that's not the only issue, as you mentioned being negative towards others (and "some other points".......what are the other points?). So, other people staying over to chart wouldn't absolve you, either.

I would continue to work with your psychiatrist on the meds, but also have her refer you to a behavioral counselor to help you with everything that you mentioned. THEN look for another job you that you will be more prepared to handle.