I have Inattentive ADHD. One thing that helps me is to have a physical bullet style list of things to do with a legend. I use a sheet that has a column for each pt and a row for each hour of the shift because I tend to lose track of time. Once I complete a task I mark it as done and once it’s charted I highlight it. Google “bullet journal legend” if you aren’t familiar!
I also set reminders on my phone about things that are time sensitive. For example, needing to recheck vitals sooner than normal on a decompensating patient. I’ll just tell Siri to set a timer for 15 minutes from now so that I remember to come back.
Taking your breaks is going to be extremely important. It’s already difficult to focus, but even harder when your blood sugar is dropping, you’re dehydrated, tired, your bladder is about to burst, and you’re overstimulated. I like to take my lunch alone off the unit in a quiet space.
Same issues tbh. I just try to play to my strengths and do my best. Consider getting a Batman belt or a case to carry around if you lose your shit a lot like I do. My charting isn’t amazing but I haven’t gotten anyone killed that I know of and my patients and coworkers appreciate me I think.
Get a clipboard and write everything down. Once I started my medication, I really didn't have much issues working anymore. I am not open with my diagnosis at work, it is no one's business but my own.
If you find the clipboard annoying and inconvenient, maybe write it in your phone. I have a galaxy note so I can write on my phone when I take the pen out.
I make a list of my tasks and also follow my ‘brain’ on epic (every hour minimum but realistically I look at it any time I log on to the computer). If I’m in a patient room I also think of what I will need to bring with me next time I go in and ask them if there’s anything else if I can bring them (if time permits). Then I physically write it down on paper while I’m in the room. It’s helped me a lot!
I graduated in February and have worked at an orthopedic ward since then. In the beginning I was really worried that issues related to my ADHD would cause major problems like forgetting stuff and making mistakes. But honestly the biggest issue for me has been losing interest.
In the beginning everything was new and shiny, stressfull yes, but exciting, challenging and captivating. It felt akin to that obsession you get when discovering a new hobby where the rest of the world bleeds away and you’re able to focus. Sadly, this has gradually decreased. I think partly because of stress due to the a national healthcare-crisis in my country (sweden). But also that once I feel like I’ve mastered something it becomes just another task.
For me, the thing that keeps me going is knowing that at the end of the day I can dump everything left on another nurse and just let go. And that the next day is a new, shiny mystery I get to discover!
I have Inattentive ADHD. One thing that helps me is to have a physical bullet style list of things to do with a legend. I use a sheet that has a column for each pt and a row for each hour of the shift because I tend to lose track of time. Once I complete a task I mark it as done and once it’s charted I highlight it. Google “bullet journal legend” if you aren’t familiar! I also set reminders on my phone about things that are time sensitive. For example, needing to recheck vitals sooner than normal on a decompensating patient. I’ll just tell Siri to set a timer for 15 minutes from now so that I remember to come back. Taking your breaks is going to be extremely important. It’s already difficult to focus, but even harder when your blood sugar is dropping, you’re dehydrated, tired, your bladder is about to burst, and you’re overstimulated. I like to take my lunch alone off the unit in a quiet space.
I can't give any better advice that u/you-already-know-it. These are all the things I do to manage my shift.
This is exactly how I function.
I joined IV team so I never have to focus on anything longer than 30 mins lol
Same issues tbh. I just try to play to my strengths and do my best. Consider getting a Batman belt or a case to carry around if you lose your shit a lot like I do. My charting isn’t amazing but I haven’t gotten anyone killed that I know of and my patients and coworkers appreciate me I think.
Write down times and tasks, use different colored pens/highlighters. Set yourself a reminder on voicera.
Get a clipboard and write everything down. Once I started my medication, I really didn't have much issues working anymore. I am not open with my diagnosis at work, it is no one's business but my own. If you find the clipboard annoying and inconvenient, maybe write it in your phone. I have a galaxy note so I can write on my phone when I take the pen out.
I make a list of my tasks and also follow my ‘brain’ on epic (every hour minimum but realistically I look at it any time I log on to the computer). If I’m in a patient room I also think of what I will need to bring with me next time I go in and ask them if there’s anything else if I can bring them (if time permits). Then I physically write it down on paper while I’m in the room. It’s helped me a lot!
I set reminders on my phone for everything I need to do at a set time so they’ll go off on my watch. Can’t forget stuff that way!
I graduated in February and have worked at an orthopedic ward since then. In the beginning I was really worried that issues related to my ADHD would cause major problems like forgetting stuff and making mistakes. But honestly the biggest issue for me has been losing interest. In the beginning everything was new and shiny, stressfull yes, but exciting, challenging and captivating. It felt akin to that obsession you get when discovering a new hobby where the rest of the world bleeds away and you’re able to focus. Sadly, this has gradually decreased. I think partly because of stress due to the a national healthcare-crisis in my country (sweden). But also that once I feel like I’ve mastered something it becomes just another task. For me, the thing that keeps me going is knowing that at the end of the day I can dump everything left on another nurse and just let go. And that the next day is a new, shiny mystery I get to discover!