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

ashleebaby02 · Nov 4, 2014

I have ADHD and work med surg. Sometimes I drive myself crazy with how distracted I can become, but I always manage to get everything done and on time.

AmyRN303, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2014

I've never been diagnosed, but I have most of the symptoms and have been using coping mechanisms since I was a kid. I'm that hyper focused person when there's a lot of chaos swirling about. I work step down, and our ratio is 3:1 for the most part. I like the fast pace, and being able to focus my attention on my two or three patients. I hear call bells and apnea alarms in my head when I go home, and that drives me nuts, but when I'm at work, the stimulating atmosphere doesn't bother me. I use a great brain sheet and double/triple check everything. It's all about finding what works best for you.

sjalv · Nov 4, 2014

ADHD is a fact our lives. It is one of the factors we have to consider, like the commute or the hours. Why does that deserve berating? It shouldn't.
I factor my ADHD into every life decision I make. In my career, I ask myself "Will this job affect my mental status to the point where I will be a less effective nurse?" If the answer is yes, then I don't take that job. I have been offered positions in units, such as inpatient detox, where I feel like my deficiencies will not let me help patients fully, so I have turned those units down. It's not a big deal, it's just a factor. I have turned down jobs with more than a 30-minute one-way drive, too. Nobody yelled about that.
And for all of you cherry-picking the words from the OP and choosing to focus on the mental illness instead of the question, please stop.
It is hurtful, and unnecessary. We don't pick on the disabled, the overweight, the ugly, or whoever, and we would appreciate the same treatment.
Here is an example: Say I am a breast-feeding mother. I want to pick a unit that is supportive of that. Not all nurses breastfeed. Some hospitals have "pump" rooms, some have breastfeeding rooms where family can bring an infant in. Some are anti-breast and you have to sneak away during the day when you have ten minutes to relieve your aching breasts. I would probably not choose the last type of unit. And there is nothing wrong with that.
With ADHD, depending on what your particular symptoms are, the choice of unit can help you manage your symptoms. I need a busy, but not chaotic, unit. Med-Surg, so far, is the best for me.
Some ADHDers need constant stimulation to stay focused. The ER or a trauma unit would help them tremendously.
Some need quiet, low distraction environments. Home health or hospice may be the best for those nurses.
"Problems with ADHD" is none of anyone's business except the OP's and their doctor's.
I can't believe that nurses still stigmatize mental illness this way. I am so disappointed. After some of the posts in the last weeks, I had thought the attitude here was changing.

Get off your soap box. "problems with ADHD" is the verbage that the OP herself used. I would have worded it more eloquently ("...does not present as a major obstacle to overcome in my place of work...") but I'm not the one who made the post. If it's no one's business, she shouldn't have posted it on a public forum. I'm not "cherry picking", I'm addressing an issue. She asked for help, people replied, and she got über defensive. So I was trying to get to the root of the issue.. is her main concern where she should work, or how she should factor ADHD into her decision? Because the way her OP sounds, it's the latter .. but then she goes on to say she 'never said she has problems with ADHD', which makes one wonder why she mentioned it in the first place.

I never 'berated' her for having it. I asked why she thought it was worth mentioning if it doesn't present issues, such as if it is controlled by medication. I have terrible vision, and this would be like me saying "Where can a nurse with poor vision work?" then people saying I really need good vision to properly assess patients, then me replying "Uh, I wear contacts to correct my visual deficiencies." It is totally redundant.

I never once 'stigmatized' mental illness. My mother is in her early 50s and is being faced with deteriorating cognitive functioning and early signs of dementia. I said ONE sentence and you drew all of these conclusions from it. I, however, read the entire thread before making my reply. Obviously you didn't.

Guttercat, ASN, RN · Nov 5, 2014

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.

That's the thing about ADD folks. They often have a curious ability to hyper-focus on problem-solving and details. They can struggle with extended periods of multi-tasking.

It is in my humble opinion that ADD-types would fare best in cognitively challenging yet focused areas of practice with strong ebbs and flows in the daily work routine (relates to that boredom issue you mentioned). ICU is one of these areas. ED can also fit the bill.

icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN · Nov 5, 2014

If it is true that persons with this complex neurobehavioral disorder can "hyperfocus" or function best in a stimulating emergency situation, then the ED/paramedic work environment is the logical choice.

CalmDownFaceUp · Apr 9, 2016

Get a coach. That is helping me to see where my ADD helps me at work and where it compromises my performance. How are you going now?

RNmomtheOG55 · Feb 19, 2022

I’m new to this forum but I was reading the original question about picking a nursing unit when you have ADHD. I also have it but was not diagnosed until I was 47 although I’ve had symptoms since I was a kid. I had also been an RN for 18 years when I was diagnosed and began treatment immediately which was a major help. I hope the original poster was able to find a unit that is suited to her abilities and interests.

Unfortunately, I have discovered the downfall of getting bored in your job recently. I had always loved case management and utilization and had kept the job for 17 years and had planned to work to retirement. My director changed jobs and the new director did not tolerate the way I worked. I had my own tricks and work plan to get the job done well everyday. However, my focus could be variable during the day so there were times I needed to stay after hours to finish. Being salaried I didn’t get overtime but my old director was OK with it. My new supervisor insisted I never stay late and I spent the last year walking a tightrope and wearing my brain out almost every day. She recently increased the workload although every nurse I worked with was maxed out, and I ended up being fired 2 weeks ago. So my biggest piece of advice is be mindful of reaching the point of burnout and change jobs before you get to that point.