Hi,
I'm currently a nursing student in my 2nd semester and was doing really well up unitl my last two tests. I contacted my doctor cause I think the meds(ritalin) were not as effective anymore. I went from an 83% in the class down to an 80 cause the last two tests I did bad on. One I got a 72% and the other a 76% and I was getting above 80% the whole time. Now my meds are increased but I'm still just doing stupid things. For example, in the clinical setting, we are responsible for two patients and we are required to provide TOTAL care for them including giving meds, and charting(etc) and mind you, there are tons of meds. Well, I forgot to give my patient her Ancef today which is an antibiotic and is imperative to remember. Plus, a week ago I forgot to check the patient's armband and did my med cards all wrong. My teacher was SO mad at me today for forgetting that that she more or less made me feel that I'm not competent enought to be a nurse. I feel like such a ditz, I don't know if it's because I've had ENOUGH this semester cause it is really tough, or what! I'm very tired during the clinical hours because I only get 3 hours of sleep the nights of clinical, and told my instructor that. SHe told me to see my pcp about getting paxil!LOL:confused: She thinks I have anxiety. WHat can I do to increase my confidence and not do stupid things. I guess I need to reflect. I just wanted to let this out and I think I'm going to go cry now. I'm really upset and I really try.:(

Hi ditzygirl,
I wouldn't be surprised if your problems are due mostly to sleep deprivation...

Yeah, sleep is important. Might want to figure out some way to get more.

Also, if you're feeling overwhelmed with the work load, is there a way you can go from full-time to 3/4 time student or 2/3 or 1/2 time? It will take you longer to finish, but maybe it will give you the space you need to do better on exams and give the care to patients that you want to give them.

Has something in the structure of the class or assignments or tests changed between you getting 80% and higher and now getting 72% and 76% (which is still a C and passing)? Maybe you need an accomodation for a different testing setting? Maybe the types of questions are different?

Has there been any change in your life, something that's taking extra time and energy that could be taking it away from school?

Have other students made mistakes? I'll bet you're not the only one because 1) you're all still learning and 2) they may not be getting enough sleep either. I understand being upset by your mistakes, but try not to give your mistakes more weight than you'd give to others for mistakes they have made.

I hope you're feeling better today since venting and with some time and space to reflect and some distance from the incident with your supervisor.

Peace, ~~bythesea

I agree. The need for adequate sleep cannot be overemphasized.

Also, please try and remember that, as a fallable human being ( like everyone else ), you will always make mistakes.

As part of my ongoing (daily) 12 Step recovery program, I do a written 10th Step (daily inventory).

What I ask myself are 3 important questions:

1)Have a helped anyone today ?

2) Have I hurt anyone today ( and if so, did I own it and make amends) ?

3) What have I done today to try and help myself?

When it comes to worrying, I do my best to try and "turn it over;" recognizing that I'm powerless over people, places and things.

In the process, I try and rely on what I believe is a positive ADHD trait for me.

Whenever possible, I try and "focus on the solution and not the problem."

Constantly worrying only makes me feel bad.

If it did something constructive, I might do it more often.

Here's a good way to try and "reframe" this.

In finding the Forum and then asking for feedback from ADHD peers, you've taken two positive steps toward the solution.:)

good luck and hang tough

mctavish23
(Robert)

Thank you so much for your repiles.:) I just think i'm burned out. I slept practically all day today and it felt good. I have 2 more weeks till the end so all I can do is just hang in there. I'm actually very tired right now.
Thanks

I read somewhere that if you don't get enough sleep, the meds don't work anyway. So yeah, sleep is important.

I would think that if need be (only for a temp basis) you should use a short term 4 hr lasting sleep aid like sonata to help. ONLY IF NECESSARY.
Just My $.02.

Actually, I myself drink an herbal tea called Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime. It has Chamomile in it and if you drink it before going to bed, it will help your mind wind down. It's perfectly healthy, unlike a lot of other sleep aids out there. I took Tylenol PM once...ugh never again. Besides, it's not a good idea to be taking sleeping pills when you're already on a stimulant medication; combining the two can have bad results.