Which unit would be good for a RN with ADHD-inattentive to work on?

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These are the units of thought of:

Pediatrics (I volunteered in a children's hospital for 4 years in high school & enjoyed it)

Cardiac (I love learning about the heart)

Emergency Room

**I'll be graduating this coming May (2015)

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I say this with all due respect, but IMO you should get your ADHD under control. All of those specialties--actually, any nursing specialty--needs a nurse running at the top of their game and not struggling with symptoms.

If you're not already seeking treatment, I would make an appointment with a psychiatrist to address your condition.

Best of luck.

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Meriwhen: I think your comment was very unprofessional..and offensive...

Ive had ADHD for some time now...It is a VERY common mental diagnosis.......especially among health care workers....Just because I have ADHD doesn't mean i'm any less capable of a nurse than others. Infact, because I've learned to manage my symptoms so well that am to multi-task at a higher level than others often. ALSO...MANY nurses who work in an ER have ADHD themselves....same with paramedics (us ADHD folks do very well under high pressure). Not that its any of your business..but I do take stimulant medication which helps me tremendously..

There is a lot of stimga associated with ADHD...studies have proven that there are lots of benefits of having ADHD such as: the ability to hyperfocus in any given situation, more creative, usually higher-intelligence, good intuition, flexibility, good enthusiasm...so please don't undermine ADHD..

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Well, I have ADHD and found the original reply right on. Bottom line if you have ADHD/ADD AND have aspirations to be a nurse: Get it under control or you will have problems in ANY area of nursing.

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Never did I say I have problems with ADHD..................

All my question was asking is which unit do nurses with ADHD usually excel in..

it's a known fact that ADHD nurses do great in ER's for instance....

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

You are being defensive. I was saying that would be my advice as a nurse. Whether you have problems or not, if you are not able to concentrate and stay on task, nursing will be a tough row to hoe. Period. Remember, I said I have it, so it's not like it can't be done. But it's tough. I know.

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Im graduating in May........I worked in a children's hospital for 4 years.....

In ER for 1 year...and a doctor's office for 2 years......I know nursing is my fit, hense why I choose it.....Im not being defensive..Im annoyed at your comments because I don't feel you know enough about my situation to comment. Plus I wasnt asking for your input regrding if I would be a good nurse, I already know Ill be a great nurse. Ontop of that my grandmother and aunt are both nurses with ADHD..which goes to show..

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Maybe. But maybe also, you don't like the answers you are receiving, either, and feeling defensive. You asked, so I am answering. If you don't want to hear certain answers, don't ask such questions on a public forum.

We are not "unprofessional" because we give you an answer you don't want to hear.

As I said:

ADHD is workable, I know. ALSO, Like I said, I have it. But you have no idea what all nursing entails til you ARE one, which I am.

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Specializes in PACU, pre/postoperative, ortho.

I think it's the word "inattentive" in the title that sticks out, and when joined with your question, gives the impression that you might be looking for a unit where attention to detail is less important (doesn't exist). I'm sure that's not what you meant, but at first glance, struck me that way.

Besides the obvious keeping symptoms in check, you'll probably do best in an area that is particularly interesting to you (which is likely different than the next nurse with add/adhd). I recall a prior post on a thread by a nurse with ADD mentioning that she does well in one position for a yr or two, gets bored, & has to change jobs to keep interested & focused.

Also keep in mind that depending on your job market, you may not have a lot of choice initially upon graduation.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Meriwhen: I think your comment was very unprofessional..and offensive...

Ive had ADHD for some time now...It is a VERY common mental diagnosis.......especially among health care workers....Just because I have ADHD doesn't mean i'm any less capable of a nurse than others. Infact, because I've learned to manage my symptoms so well that am to multi-task at a higher level than others often. ALSO...MANY nurses who work in an ER have ADHD themselves....same with paramedics (us ADHD folks do very well under high pressure). Not that its any of your business..but I do take stimulant medication which helps me tremendously..

There is a lot of stimga associated with ADHD...studies have proven that there are lots of benefits of having ADHD such as: the ability to hyperfocus in any given situation, more creative, usually higher-intelligence, good intuition, flexibility, good enthusiasm...so please don't undermine ADHD..

I've worked with psychiatric patients including those diagnosed with ADD/ADHD for several years now. Those who didn't have their ADHD symptoms well-managed struggled in many areas of their life: personal, school, work...

And I also know what it's like to work as nurse.

It takes more than just desire and the fact that you came from a family of nurses to become successful as a nurse. I've worked with nurses with ADHD who have had no problems. And I've also worked with several who didn't do that well. So yes, being a successful nurse with ADHD is possible. But not if one's symptoms aren't managed.

I'm sorry that you do not like my response, but I stand by my original answer. Again, best of luck whatever you decide to do after graduation.

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there are lots of benefits of having ADHD such as: the ability to hyperfocus in any given situation
I think a hallmark sign of it is distractibility, rather than the ability to hyperfocus. With the exception of when I took Adderall, I haven't been able to hyperfocus on squat my entire life.

I think what the other posters are trying to say is staying on top of it will help you be a successful nurse, no matter what unit you choose. The #1 goal is patient safety. As someone who struggles w/it myself, public health nursing was a good fit for me b/c my attention is variable throughout the day. With more flexibility, it allowed me to take more breaks & break up my workload. I'm in the ICU now, on Vyvanse, & I'm kind of overstimulated by all the noise/chaos, which makes it harder to absorb information. Good luck making your decision!

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I'm a little confused as to why you would pose such a question if your ADHD--inattentive type is not a factor in choosing a job.

If it is well controlled, take that out of the equation and figure out what you might like to do as well as what type of jobs are actually available at the time.

I don't think anyone is trying to be offensive. I think everyone is answering the question the way they interpreted it.

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