Going to Nursing School with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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- Опубліковано 2 січ 2021
- Hi! I am Brandon and am a Registered Nurse, soon to be a Nurse Practitioner. I also am an Aspie ( on the autism spectrum). This is my story of going to nursing school with undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder. It was not easy, but I did it, and I was so proud of graduating. I went for my ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing), before getting my BSN (Bachelor in Science in Nursing), and then later on my MSN (Master of Science in Nursing). In this video I talk about sensorium issues, panic attacks, and other struggles in nursing school and what I did to cope and be successful.
Thank you for your videos! I'm a nurse and I'm currently trying to get diagnosed for both ADHD and autism. College was a nightmare; I'd procrastinate on studying and then hyper-fixate a day or two before the exam. I'd write research papers the day that they were due. I did well but I think I shaved 10 years off my life from the stress. The frustrating thing is I feel like I can only get things done when I'm under high amounts of stress. I'm like a deep sea fish, I can only survive under large amounts of pressure.
Amazing! Congrats on your success to complete college. You have a lot of similarities to my experience.
It's so encouraging to hear from you and from the people in the comments! I'm on the spectrum in the second semester of nursing school. I just wanted someone to confirm that this is possible!
Also an autistic nurse. Just found 10 years after becoming a nurse. Lots 9f moments of being overwhelmed and bouts of depression with life in general. I finally went PRN and my husband carries my insurance so we have more control over my schedule. This works for me now. I also had trouble paying attention, could not study in groups. But once alone, i would study. Read notes, skim the books. Got As and Bs in a fast track bachelor's program. It was stressful because of the time restraints but the work was okay. My preceptor nurse in clinicals said I was the best nurse she'd had cause i just jumped in and got it done. Mostly because i prefer to do things alone. Its less stressful.
Wow you sound so much like me. Working PRN really made a huge difference for me as well. I can certainly identify with the mental strain one gets as a person with ASD working as a nurse. It is really cool that we are not alone and there are so many others out there like us. Hopefully this platform with continue to be a voice for others like us to support one another.
I don’t understand how you just did so good in nursing school. I’m autistic and I am in the LPN program. 1st semester was good. I am in 2 semester (we only have 3 semesters). This semester is the hardest and I’m struggling SOOO bad. The only way I’ve ever known to learn is to write everything. Well now, we have so many chapters at once..so I don’t have time to write anything. I’m struggling so bad. I don’t understand how other autistics have this amazing superpower of being smart. Because I don’t.
I would be lying if I said it was easy for me. My second semester I was hanging by a thread. First semester was easy. The last two were tough but not as bad as the second. It’s hard even for those not on the spectrum. After 4 semesters , only 25 percent of my original group from semester 1 graduated with me. Nursing is very hard. Hang in there. You will be so proud of yourself when you graduate.
I’m so happy I found you. I haven’t been diagnosed but I strongly believe I’m on the spectrum. I too worked as a pharmacy technician, and hated it, and I’m currently about to start the second semester of my ADN program. I was starting to feel nervous about if I’d be a good RN because of some of my issues with sensory input. So, I’m very happy you made this video. I will say though, that the background music and sound effects definitely made getting through this video a little difficult.
Cool! You will do great I am sure! Yea it’s funny on the sounds and music. I have heard both yay and nay . My first video had none and I got some negative feedback. I am just beginning to learn how to create content on UA-cam so I appreciate your help and feedback as well as patience with my newbie editing skills. 😂
I just got done with my ADN program and have an appointment to begin the process of being diagnosed. I had some major struggles in the ADN program that pertained to social and sensory things. I hope that you are successful in the ADN program.
Im in my second year of nursing school, i genuinely thought i was the alone but your vids and this comment section is so encouraging.
Along with other people here my biggest struggle is the social aspect of school and i was anxious about what work would look like. So heart warming to see others in the same boat
Hang in there! :)
Would you please post videos about some of the struggles you’ve had while being a nurse. Maybe situations you’ve dealt with and how you work through them? Thank you
Absolutely! I will work on that :)
Please do
Thank you so much for telling your story , you are amazing!! 🎉 your determination and perseverance will continue making you go as far as you want, very inspiring !!!🌻
Thank you so much!!
I thought I was the only one. I searched high and low on the internet for tips on surviving nursing school or med school with ASD, and I only found one brave soul besides myself willing to publicly "come out." I have faced so many challenges during my nursing school journey, including discrimination from the nursing faculty that gives me a hard time about using my approved accommodations because it "wouldn't be fair to everyone else." Why is it so hard for them to grasp that I can't be at an advantage when I am naturally at a disadvantage! I also feel like they are purposely tougher on me than my peers.
Yea there are many that have experienced similar circumstances unfortunately. Hang in there. You will be so proud of yourself in the end when you reach your goal especially when you have to work so much harder. I know I was very proud to have survived nursing school and graduated.
I’ve just finished my nursing studies and I suspect (and so do others) that I’m on the spectrum. I haven’t been diagnosed as of yet, but these three years have been the hardest of my life. I’m quite nervous because I have a job lined up on a ward, and like you I get easily distracted. I aced all my assignments, but my weakness is on interpersonal relationships. It’s good to know that people on the spectrum can go on to being registered nurses, albeit with a lot of hard work.
Best of wishes to you and hang in there!
Very relatable! Thanks. I’m an adult undiagnosed Aspie and just starting nursing school. I can use all the tips!
I just wanted to say thank you for posting this. I am not diagnosed ASD, but I think I might be. Also doing ADN and taking prereqs. Sometimes I feel insecure because I am starting at 22 and it feels like there's so many hoops to jump through. I am quite socially awkward and I'm so scared of that getting me in trouble while actually working. It's so dang nice to hear from someone I relate to that's gone through a similar journey. Overall, just thank you for sharing ❤
Subscribed and will be following your content.
Aww thanks for the kind words and glad you found this helpful 😊🙏🏻
Exactly Brandon, how to study, most failing students in my classes were not dumb yet had terrible study habits like overlearning every detail, impossible task! Similar story here, Bachelors in Biology mid-century then P.T. 30 years later. Found out that an Autistic person in late fifties that shuns groups intensely can indeed excel at college, in fact graduated top of class then worked 20 years in Acute care. Really loved learning and furiously interested in anatomy biomechanics BUT what a grind going to classes, dealing with classmates sometimes hostile teachers, traffic, worse the dreaded registration, before computers with endless noisy long confusing lines of up-tight people! Nailed the state board, loved that quiet little testing room and to those thinking of a medical field, go for it IF you really care for people, maybe acute care, it is more challenging yet patient care for an Autistic person can be ideal, interchange between patient-practitioner is usually short term, rather intimate and on your terms, nurse is in charge! Fellow workers, they knew before employment expecting very little socially, if Autistic then expect stress, lots when working in professions where team work is really essential, but its doable ~~
I can voice a lot of similar feelings to what you have mentioned lol. I try to channel my hyper focus in ways that optimize my life. It can be a challenge though, as I find a lot of habit holes I can get lost in from time to time. I have considered getting a PhD so I can get in research. I think that might be right up my alley.
I’m really happy that i watched your video today. I’m not diagnosed with the spectrum but I do believe that I have the have the spectrum. I’m currently taking the prerequisite for RN, all that you mentioned are definite facts. Sometimes I feel like I want to give up, but after watching this I feel courageous enough thank you so much, and I’m happy for you!
Glad it was helpful! Best wishes to you !
I am a nurse also getting diagnosed, been in naughty corner all my life.
Wishing you all the best
earplugs works really well for me especially in environments where i need to concentrate
Yea I like the sound dampening headphones 🎧
How can I say this you got your self a fan. Please make more video’s I admire you how brave you are and most of all how smart you are wow. Come across your videos I was looking for autism videos to learn more about it and I thank God that I come across your videos I love it . 🙏🏽
Thanks so much for the kind words! Means a lot to me. I really hope I can make a difference for others. I should be posting again in about a week. 😊
Never been to Nursing school. I am a CNA and i suspect i have an adult form of Autism. I am also a Med Aide, i can totally relate to backround noises being a distraction as i remember becomming really mad at one of my jobs for putting me in a loud room while trying to concentrate on computer work for new hires.
Luckily my CNA class was not that bad with noises and my teacher helped me alot with my classwork cause of how things were worded. My L1MA class was online, very fast paced but not bad cause i only had 1 other person taking the course with me and that room was quiet and that workplace was awesome.
I am very detailed with my thinking process and how to do my job right.
Neurotypical people see me as "weak" because i do not like doing 2 assist transfers by myself. It is illegal and it's very risky and scary.
I pay attention to skin coloration, people's signs and symptoms of illness or if they may need to go to the hospital.
When my job is not done properly, i get really upset or flustered. I want to be safe and do everything in a timely manner. I also want to work on masking til i get off work.
I always debate on going to nursing school. With my thinking process, how can i manage stress?
How can i be caught up with fast paced learning? I want to understand things with full detail. I want to process the information i am taking in. I want to remember things. I want to become a good nurse someday.
Right now i am feeling burnt out from CNA work. Overwelmed, but i do not wish to give up. I want to be strong and cope.
Keep I the good work!
Great video. Thanks for opening up about this. A question: did you also struggle with anxiety after you'd taken an exam? I really struggled with that; couldn't sleep at night.
I don't think so. Maybe no more than most everyone else. For me it was mor during the test that I had the problems.
@@becurious2000 Okay, I see. Thanks for telling me. My perfectionism and failure anxiety drove me crazy.
OMG, I feel like you are talking about me. About to apply for my grad year. Very stressed. ... Thanks for sharing.
You got this!
I'm not diagnosed, but I have a feeling I'm on the spectrum.
I started life with bad eye contact, bad comprehension, had a special ed teacher to help me with the eye contact and pronunciation in grade 1. The teacher suggested that i should repeat grade 1.
Fast forward to today, I'm also an RN now. I was a slow learner all my life. When I was a fresh RN, nurses would tell me to get my hearing checked because I required them to repeat themselves often. So i had an audiologist check me out and i apparently have super hero hearing. He suggested a processing issue with me, but didn't do further testing because i was already a nurse for 2 years at the time.
When i looked up processing issues online, i came across the whole autism thing and how they can be related. The both just explains my childhood and life struggles.
Well, now I'm a nurse in the ICU for 10 years. I think I'm currently recovering from a mini breakdown from doctor's rounds, so i have my earbuds in and found this video to be soothing for me during my break.
Thank you!
Oh wow! Thanks for sharing your story! And you are such a fighter. Hang in there and don’t give up. 😄 🤗
@@becurious2000 thank you for making these videos! You've also gone through a lot to reach level NP! It's so nice to see such relatable videos and hear someone talk about similar struggles I go through too as a nurse :)
Whenever I precept a newbie, I always tell them, if I can be a nurse, they can be too.
I also saw you talk about your eye contact difficulties in an other video. I'm the same too! It's definitely not easy and gives me anxiety that I don't show. Which is probably what you guys call masking? Well, finally got home and soaking in the tub to unwind and relax :)
@@tips4400 wow 🤩 thanks for the fine comments. Take good care of yourself 😊
I’m a second year nursing student in the uk. I’ve just got diagnosed at 47yo. I can relate to all of what you say!
Welcome to the family 😊
@@becurious2000 👋👍
Please keep making videos 💕
Will do! Been taking a break to study for my nurse practitioner boards. I just passed! So i should be posting soon.
@@becurious2000 whoa! CONGRATULATIONS‼️🥇🙂
hi! I was wondering if you have sensory issues and wondering how you deal with those as a nurse? also the long hours? I'm autistic and I have a hard time with fluorescent lights and beeping (like with medical machines). do you have any advice or thoughts on this of how I would deal with that (and avoid constant meltdowns)? I've applied for a bachelors of nursing for next year 💖
Yea it is definitely a challenge. I had a love hate relationship with hospital nursing. I think that going into a specialty... as a diabetes care education specialist... really helped me out very much. I had more control of my environment and routines. I had to share my office with just one person and had more freedom. I would say do your best to get 2 or 3 years on medsurge or ICU and then try to get into a specialty job like PICC nurse, patient education, stroke coordinator, or some other specialty role that gives you more control over your environment.
@@becurious2000 tysm! that's super helpful
I am a nursing instructor and found you when searching for ways to assist a student I currently have who is on the spectrum. The student does fine academically, where the student struggles is with social etiquette and social cues. I would appreciate any thoughts on how to help my student be successful. I have reached out to counseling services and implemented many of their suggestions but I am finding the social aspect the most difficult. Appreciate any help!
Hey so nice to see that you came across my video. I am so happy that you have worked so hard to help this student! Yea the social cues take time to learn. I know for myself, I struggled for years and still struggle sometimes with it. I´ll make a video to answer your question and hopefully you find it helpful. I'll try to remember to message you when I post it.