ADHD on Shift

You're not lazy, unmotivated or broken.

If you finish a shift feeling like you've run a marathon inside your own head, this guide is for you. It's written for adults with ADHD in nursing, medicine and other shift-based jobs, where the charting never stops, the roster keeps changing, and the stakes are high.

What you get

• Practical fixes for charting, focus and burnout, built around a 12-hour shift
• Adult ADHD explained simply, including why high achievers so often get missed
• A short "Do this" list at the end of every chapter, with steps to try on your next shift
• Useful for anyone who works shifts, not just healthcare

What's in each chapter

Every chapter ends with a short "Do this" list of practical steps you can try on your next shift.

1. IntroductionYou're not lazy, unmotivated or broken.
2. 1. Adult ADHD, explained simplyWhy high achievers so often get missed, and what "masking" really costs.
3. 2. Why this job is hard on your brain (and where it shines)The friction points, and the strengths worth protecting.
4. 3. The documentation debtHow to stop charting piling up until after your shift ends.
5. 4. Taming the 12-hour clockFive anchor points that do the job your internal clock can't.
6. 5. Sleep, shift work and your ADHD brainProtecting sleep on a rotating roster.
7. 6. Decision fatigue and clinical safetyKeeping your judgement steady late in the shift.
8. 7. Rejection sensitive dysphoria at workWhen one piece of feedback won't let go of you.
9. 8. Medication, disclosure and your licenceRefills around shift work, telling your workplace, and licensing boards.
10. 9. The ADHD taxThe visible and hidden costs, and how to cut them.
11. 10. Burnout, overwhelm and getting supportKnowing when it's time for more than a better system.

Good to know