Something Powerful

Tell The Reader More

The headline and subheader tells us what you're offering, and the form header closes the deal. Over here you can explain why your offer is so great it's worth filling out a form for.

Remember:

  • Bullets are great
  • For spelling out benefits and
  • Turning visitors into leads.

DiversityNursing Blog

Tips For Nurses Managing Their Attention Deficit Disorder

Posted by Erica Bettencourt

Tue, Dec 21, 2021 @ 11:55 AM

GettyImages-86536462Being a Nurse is challenging, but being a Nurse with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can feel almost impossible some days.

According to the CDC, there are three different types of ADHD, depending on which types of symptoms are strongest in the individual:

  • Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: It is hard for the individual to organize or finish a task, to pay attention to details, or to follow instructions or conversations. The person is easily distracted or forgets details of daily routines.
  • Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: The person fidgets and talks a lot. It is hard to sit still for long (e.g., for a meal or while doing homework). The individual feels restless and has trouble with impulsivity. Someone who is impulsive may interrupt others a lot, grab things from people, or speak at inappropriate times. It is hard for the person to wait their turn or listen to directions. A person with impulsiveness may have more accidents and injuries than others.
  • Combined Presentation: Symptoms of the above two types are equally present in the person.

If you haven’t been diagnosed with ADHD, but relate to these symptoms, talk to a healthcare provider about what you’re experiencing. You may benefit from some type of therapy or treatment.  

In addition to therapy techniques and/or medication, here are strategies to help manage your ADHD throughout your shift.

Arrive at work a little early. This gives you an opportunity to get the low down on your patients, take notes, and create some kind of schedule for your shift.

Lists are your best friend. Make lists of anything you need to do during your shift and check them off as you go.

If you are frequently losing or misplacing things like your stethoscope, try using tracker tagsTile Mate Bluetooth trackers are great tags to help you find lost items.

For smaller items like pens, try using retractable holders and attach to your badge or lanyard. Amazon has lots of options.

Sitting down to chart and feel overwhelmed trying to remember everything from your shift? It may not always be possible, but try to do as much of your charting in present time. Your documentation will be more accurate and you'll use less brain power remembering the details and times you did your assessments.

Find a quiet spot to chart. It can be hard to focus and not get distracted by noises and coworkers. Your charting will be more accurate and done faster if you can find a private nook, cubicle or spot behind the Nurse's station.

During Nurse-to-Nurse handoff, details can get lost in reporting. Using a brain sheet can help you stay organized and save time by efficiently sharing the patient's story. Check out these brain sheets by scrubsmag.com.

Finish working on one patient before moving on to the next. Avoid running back and forth between patients (unless it's an emergency). Instead of visiting one patient multiple times within an hour, cluster your care and get everything done at once. Do your assessments, administer medications, make necessary calls, and document while you're still in the room.

Set an alarm to help you move on to another task. Some people with ADHD tend to hyper focus on one task and end up losing track of time.

Remember your treatment plan. Schedule a routine time to take your medications so they last the duration of your shift or set an alarm to remind yourself to take your medications if you need to take another dose during your shift. 

Outside of work, support groups are a great outlet to connect with others who have similar experiences. These groups often meet regularly to share concerns and achievements, to exchange information and strategies, and to talk with experts.

The National Resource Center on ADHD, a program of Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD®), supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has information and many resources. You can reach this center online or by phone at 1-866-200-8098.


New Call-to-action

Topics: ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Nurses with ADHD, managing ADHD

FDA Approves ADHD Drug to Treat Binge Eating

Posted by Erica Bettencourt

Mon, Feb 02, 2015 @ 12:04 PM

medication question mark resized 600

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of an attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder drug to treat binge eating.

Should ADHD medication be prescribed to help cut compulsive overeating?

The drug, Vyvanse, is usually used for ADHD but it's been shown to help control binge-eating disorder, the FDA said.

"In binge-eating disorder, patients have recurrent episodes of compulsive overeating during which they consume larger amounts of food than normal and experience the sense that they lack control. Patients with this condition eat when they are not hungry and often eat to the point of being uncomfortably full," the FDA said in a statement.

"Patients may feel ashamed and embarrassed by how much they are eating, which can result in social isolation. Binge-eating disorder may lead to weight gain and to health problems related to obesity."

The drug is not approved for weight loss, and it's a Schedule II controlled substance because it has high potential for abuse and dependence. But any doctor can write a prescription for any approved drug for any use he or she sees fit.

"The concern in our country especially is the desperation to lose weight," said NBC's diet and nutrition editor Madelyn Fernstrom. "Everyone will say, 'Oh, I have binge eating disorder'. I think there's a huge potential for abuse in our country."

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Topics: FDA, weight, ADHD, prescription, prescribed, binge eating, overeating, disorder, health problems, health, healthcare, medication, patients, medicine

Recent Jobs

Article or Blog Submissions

If you are interested in submitting content for our Blog, please ensure it fits the criteria below:
  • Relevant information for Nurses
  • Does NOT promote a product
  • Informative about Diversity, Inclusion & Cultural Competence

Agreement to publish on our DiversityNursing.com Blog is at our sole discretion.

Thank you

Subscribe to Email our eNewsletter

Recent Posts

Posts by Topic

see all