ADHD at Work: Balancing Compassion, Chaos, and ADHD in Nursing

CJ Pringle
Sep 17
3 min read

Why Hospital Nurses Are the Heartbeat of Healthcare

From assessing patient needs to coordinating across care teams, hospital nurses juggle countless responsibilities with precision and care.

They administer medications, manage equipment, communicate with families and physicians, and adapt to constantly shifting priorities—all in high-stress, fast-paced environments.

Whether in the ER, ICU, med-surg, or labor and delivery, nurses are the front line of healthcare. Their work is essential not just for patient comfort and survival, but for the overall function of complex hospital systems.

It’s a role that demands clinical expertise, emotional intelligence, quick thinking, and sharp prioritization; every single shift.

September 2025, CJ Pringle, ADHD Coach @ Agave Health

Nurse in blue scrubs and mask works at a desk, writing and using a laptop. Office setting with shelves in the background; focused mood.

ADHD on the Floor: Common Challenges Nurses Face During a Shift

The high-energy, fast-paced nature of nursing can work well for some ADHDers—but it can also magnify executive function challenges. That can lead to mental fatigue, emotional overload, and organizational hurdles.

Here’s how ADHD may show up on the floor:

Prioritization Paralysis During High-Pressure Moments
- ADHD brains may struggle to determine which patient task is most urgent—especially when multiple alarms or requests come in at once.
- This can lead to freezing up or defaulting to the “easiest” task first.
Forgetfulness and Task Completion
- Constant interruptions and multitasking can make it easy to forget a pending medication or unfinished chart note.
- ADHD affects working memory, which increases the risk of missed steps or double work.
Documentation Avoidance or Delays
- Charting often feels tedious and overwhelming—especially at the end of a demanding shift.
- Avoiding documentation can lead to errors, omissions, or staying late.
Emotional Dysregulation and Compassion Fatigue
- Hospital settings are emotionally intense. ADHD can heighten sensitivity to stress, conflict, or criticism.
- This can result in emotional flooding, frustration, or burnout.
Difficulty Transitioning Between Tasks
- ADHD brains can struggle with gear-switching—especially when moving between emotional cases or juggling clinical and admin tasks.

Shift Smarter: Strategies for Nurses Managing ADHD

Nursing is physically and emotionally demanding. These ADHD-friendly strategies can help nurses stay calm, organized, and focused—especially on tough days.

Use a “Mini Brain” or Shift Clipboard
- Track patient info (room, meds, labs, tasks) on a small notebook, badge card, or dry-erase board.
- This visual reference supports working memory and keeps to-dos visible.
Set Timers for Meds, Charting, and Breaks
- Use a watch with alarms to remind yourself to administer meds, chart in real time, or take a pause.
- Helps reduce last-minute scrambling.
Create Personal “Pause Protocols”
- Before jumping into the next task, take a 10-second pause: “What am I doing next, and why?”
- A deep breath, shoulder roll, or mental reset phrase can re-center you.
Batch Similar Tasks When Possible
- Do wound care back-to-back or chart after checking vitals for multiple patients.
- Reduces context-switching fatigue and preserves focus.
Use Documentation Shortcuts
- Templates and dot phrases lighten the cognitive load and streamline repetitive entries.
Debrief With Yourself or a Peer
- A short end-of-shift reflection helps release stress and recognize wins.
- Even a 2-minute mental recap can improve emotional regulation over time.