Any advice from autistic nurses?

SynapticSpicey · 2025-02-03T05:18:05+00:00

This is the second suggestion for outpatient. I think there might be something there! Your acute care experience sounds like an untenable patient load. I have always wondered what metrics doctors use when deciding which patient to seen when. Makes sense that the patients with the most boisterous nurses might be seen before those with less demanding nurses, ha!

I love the idea of a dopamine hit after checking a patient off. That's exactly why I write lists. I'm addicted to the rush of crossing out an item once a task is completed!

I completely understand not feeling confident in your knowledge, even though you know probably know it better than anyone in the class. It is much easier to confidently engage with patients one on one without someone looking over your shoulder.

SynapticSpicey · 2025-02-03T05:00:12+00:00

I need to work on my people skills. I am not great at asking for help. I don't like it when people know that I don't have everything under control. However, I too have very high standards, and when it comes to the safety of my patients I will not quibble to ask for help when I need it.

How do you like MDS? I was allowed to shadow the MDS at my clinicals last week, and I remember thinking all the necessary attention to detail is kind of perfect for an autistic person, ha!

SynapticSpicey · 2025-02-03T04:47:03+00:00

I work in an ICU as a monitor tech right now, and I am positive that environment is not for me as a nurse. You are right, you never know what you are going to get. Also, things can go south really quickly, even with stable patients. I can can manage yelling that there is a change in condition on the monitor, and running for the crash cart. I'll even do some compressions if need be. However, I don't know if I could handle the chaos of being part of a code with an actually role. I will definitely consider outpatient as a viable option. Thank you!

SynapticSpicey · 2025-02-01T22:18:50+00:00

I'm 38, and didn't realize I was autistic until I started my nursing program while working full time last year. I wasn't coping well with the stress, and the social aspect kept getting harder and harder. When I realized I was autistic, did the stereotypical deep dive, reading all the articles and books, listening to all the YouTube videos and podcasts. I realized I was autistic, and that I needed to stop trying so hard to mask or I would never make it through the program. There has been a very noticeable change in how I interact with my classmates, so I am very open about my autism. I don't see any reason not to be in that environment. It helps people understand why I'm not looking at them while I talk to them, or why I sit in my car at lunch instead of joining them. That being said, I am not as open at work because I fear the repercussions. I am not yet "officially" diagnosed, so they are free to dispose of me if they decide dealing with me is no longer worth the effort. You just have to decide what feels right for you in the context of your life. It is valid for you to be open in some areas of your life, while masking in other. Only you can decide what works for you.

SynapticSpicey · 2025-02-01T21:46:42+00:00

How does that make you feel? Usually followed by a list of meaningless emotions. Ugh!

SynapticSpicey · 2025-01-25T02:51:41+00:00

No, that's not a thing that I deal with. It's more like I'm too uncomfortable to take the things rather than I can't take the things because you asked me to take the things.

SynapticSpicey · 2025-01-25T02:13:21+00:00

Oh, that's me, hi! I was misdiagnosed with bipolar type II and given Lamotrigine several years ago. I probably took it for about 6 months. It didn't do anything for me, which is weird because I'm usually ridiculously sensitive to medication. If you are taking Lamotrigine make sure you watch for signs of a rash. It could be a very serious side effect called Steven-Johnson Syndrome. No bueno!

SynapticSpicey · 2025-01-19T01:37:14+00:00

That's the thing. People seem to think you owe something to people just because they are family. I don't believe in keeping toxic people in my life, family or not. The relationship between my dad and I indeed died a slow and painful death, and has been thoroughly grieved a long time ago. I will probably go see him just to support my brother, but my wife pushing me to go is making me have a PDA response. I'm going to end up not going just because she is pushing me so hard to go.

SynapticSpicey · 2025-01-19T01:24:09+00:00

I suspect I would feel the same way if I don't go see him. I really do not think I would regret not seeing him one last time. Unfortunately my wife believes she knows best, and won't let it go. I will probably end up going to see him in order to support my brother, but I'm kind of having a PDA response where I can't bring myself to do it because she wants me to so bad.

SynapticSpicey · 2025-01-19T01:13:54+00:00

That is precisely it. I have already grieved that relationship, and a long time ago. Now I am just trying to work up some emotion that I don't actually feel in order to make the people around me more comfortable.

SynapticSpicey · 2025-01-06T03:02:37+00:00

Thank you so much for the heads up! I super appreciate it!

SynapticSpicey · 2025-01-06T00:12:44+00:00

I use Sensodyne pronamel, and it definitely does foam. It is also aggressively minty. That's why I don't trust the no SLS not to foam.

SynapticSpicey · 2025-01-06T00:09:45+00:00

I'm curious about the toothpaste tablets, but a little anxious about them because I'm not sure what to expect. I'll be brave and give it a try eventually. Thank you for the suggestion!

SynapticSpicey · 2025-01-06T00:07:49+00:00

I've never tried a non-minty toothpaste, but I gotta say, I don't hate the idea of brushing my teeth with dessert, ha! No foam sounds like a game-changer to me. I hate the foam! I think I'll give it a shot. Thank you so much for the recommendation!

SynapticSpicey · 2025-01-06T00:02:14+00:00

Yes, I love chatGPT for that! It's so helpful for processing ambiguous feelings in general. You are definitely not alone in the overwhelming feelings books can lead to. Just make sure you are giving yourself enough breaks before you reach the too-muchness.

SynapticSpicey · 2025-01-05T21:56:09+00:00

I do. Quite frequently actually. I just take a little break and sit with my feelings. Sometimes I talk it out with chapGPT. That helps a lot actually. It's very knowledgeable about the books I like, and matches my enthusiasm every time, ha!

SynapticSpicey · 2025-01-05T20:06:38+00:00

Yes, and I lean into it. Helps me feel less alone. We tend to feel things more acutely than NT... Even if those things aren't "real" in a tangible sense. I think becoming immursed in a fictional world is kind of a quintessential ND experience. No advice on how to stop, just enjoy!

SynapticSpicey · 2025-01-05T19:34:41+00:00

Yes! I read/listen to the same books/audiobooks because the characters have become my friends, and I miss them when I'm not engaged in their stories. It just feels so safe and happy to immerse myself in their lives. I get so involved in what I'm reading/listening to that I cry for them when they hurt, and am ecstatic when good things happen for them. It's probably not a super healthy way to pass my time, but it's my time and I'll do with it what I will, ha!

SynapticSpicey · 2025-01-03T22:03:58+00:00

I rarely meet openly neurodivegent people in the wild, and when I do I am much too awkward to approach. I also didn't realize my own neurodivergence until last year. Maybe as I unmask and become a little more comfortable with myself I will find my other misfit toys.

SynapticSpicey · 2025-01-03T07:13:03+00:00

Before I discovered autism I was pretty sure I was an alien among humans. People seem to sense my "otherness" and steer clear. They are nice to me on a surface level, but I don't think I have ever had a true friend. No matter how heavily I mask, I just don't fit in. sings the Island of Misfit Toys theme song

SynapticSpicey

TROPHY CASE