Registered Nurse With Autism Spectrum Disorder

10 autistic traits I have as an Aspie (now just called autism spectrum disorder) and Registered Nurse. 5 coping skills I use for coping with living on the autism spectrum (ASD). I hope to inspire other fellow Aspies and others with "invisible disabilities" to work to reach their optimum potential. Being autistic and reaching your goals, can seem daunting and impossible. There is lots of good information out there for those on the spectrum to thrive in their lives. I hope to also raise awareness among neurotypicals about invisible disabilities.
Check out the following links for fellow youtubers who talk about their ASD journey that helped me.
The aspie world - • 5 ASPERGER Symptoms yo...
Aspergers from the inside- • 7 Signs of Autism in M...
Also check out this video, the fellow aspie is also name Brandon :) - • Asperger's Syndrome In...

[@melodym4354]

I've been an RN for going on 11 years now. I just found out I might be autistic and I am currently in the diagnostic process. I'm so glad I found your video!

[@becurious2000]

I am so happy you found me too! :) Best wishes on your journey!

[@wonder_mckay]

I've never been diagnosed with aspergers, but I have symptoms and I struggle with social situations. But my goal is to become a registered nurse! I'm so glad to have found your channel.

[@becurious2000]

Welcome here :)

[@YennszZ]

Thank you for sharing this. You really helped me to not feel so alone. I am also a Nurse with ASD and ADHD. I love my job but neurotypical people do not understand why I need to decompress due to all the masking. Thank you

[@becurious2000]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Crystal-el2qo]

Thank you so much for this. I got diagnosed as Autistic in 2022 at 39 years old. I want so badly to be an RN, but I often think I couldn't handle it. Your story gives me hope. Thank you.

[@becurious2000]

Nice hearing from you 😊 best wishes to you!

[@crazygirl2359]

Hey thanks for this. I’m in my grad year having just finished my nursing studies and only now got diagnosed with autism. I spent years thinking I was just crazy and weird and people telling me to conform so I did nursing in the hopes that with it being so sensory and social based I could somehow ‘cure’ myself of my traits (and I dreamt of being a nurse as a kid - I love people but just cant interact properly due to communicative difficulties) Now that I know this will be me forever and not something I can cure I’m not sure if I can stay in this childhood dream or whether I should find another career more autism friendly as the hospital environment and talking to so many people each day is putting me into burnout and makes me feel terrified to go to work each day, especially because people there aren’t the kind of people who will give you allowances or that you can be open about disability with.

[@becurious2000]

You remind me a lot of myself. I found what helped me was to find a specialty and focus on that. That ended up being diabetes education. I love it because I was able to use my ability to hyper focus on something I like to help people and I was able to have a bit more autonomy in that role. That allowed me to not always be at the bedside but have some office time and time to devote to research. There are so many areas we aspies can shine in the nursing field. It got easier over time for me as I learned to find my place and coping strategies. Best wishes to you on your nursing journey!

[@C.I366]

I was in operating theatres, minimal interaction with patients, although loads with colleagues. What about autism nurse?

[@gladefuller2624]

It's good to see hope in my community.

[@becurious2000]

thanks!

[@jackieo8794]

I was officially diagnosed last year and started nursing school this past summer. I had been looking high and low for any kind of guidance for autistics in healthcare and have come up with nothing. I am constantly worried I won't be able to handle it once clinicals start - since I've already failed at multiple jobs. Your videos are much appreciated by me.

[@becurious2000]

You can do it! The biggest challenge is the mental block of thinking “I can’t do it!” Its amazing what you can accomplish. I will say, the less complicated you can make your life around clinicals, the better. Actually clinicals were not too hard knowledge wise. The stressful part was exams for the lecture portion and new experiences. After a while you learn to compartmentalize. Another thing you can try is letting the school know so they can try to accommodate. I am really impressed with how many people with “invisible disabilities “ have graduated and been successful.

[@jackieo8794]

@@becurious2000 thanks. the school already knows and has been easy to deal with regarding needing to record lectures. My issue is that I'm not sure what accommodations would be helpful to me yet and they leave it up to me to tell them what I need.

[@becurious2000]

@@jackieo8794 you might ask for testing in a private testing room. It makes a huge difference. I only got to do it once and it was life changing.

[@kay_laa]

Finding this channel and seeing all these comments from nurses and nurse practitioners gives me so much hope🥹🫶🏻 Thank you!

[@becurious2000]

😊 my pleasure

[@MegaPete64]

Hi Brandon .I am a new subsriber to your chanel.Welcome to Sweden .we lived in Stockholm and really glad to your new challenge here.

[@becurious2000]

Awesome! Thank you! I appreciate your support!

[@heythereitshoagie]

I might be going to nursing school within the next year and I’m in the process of possibly being diagnosed as autistic in my 20s. I’m really scared with dealing with my differences and sensitivities as a nurse. I’ve been trying to find info from autistic content creators in healthcare, so I’m really glad to have stumbled upon your channel!

[@becurious2000]

Ah thanks! We have a really nice community here of others like us. Best wishes to you on your journey!

[@idontwantacallsign]

Thank you so much for our conversations on Instagram. It's a great video and very informative and helpful. I really enjoyed your video and can see many things I do that is just like what you do. Thanks for sharing and congratulations with your youtube channel💚💚💚

[@becurious2000]

you are so welcome! I am glad you liked it.

[@leilap2495]

I’m so happy that KZbin recommended your video to me. I am an NP and have had my struggles, particularly since I did not know about my diagnoses until a few weeks ago. I am wondering if you disclosed your diagnosis to your employer? I am hesitating to tell anyone at work. I wish you all the best and am looking forward to viewing more content specific to autistic nurses.

[@becurious2000]

So glad you found me! I took a while to think about who I would disclose this to. Each case is unique and that is something you will have to decide based on your needs and situation. That being said, for myself, I informed my coworkers one on one but never went directly to HR to inform them as I did not see a need. Employee health I believe is made aware as well. Hope that helps.

[@erinerin9035]

Never knew... We love you to bits!

[@becurious2000]

Thanks so much! :)

[@jordenpalinkas9532]

Thanks for this video. I live in Canada and I'm currently in my first term of an LPN program. I was diagnosed with ASD a decade ago at 8 years old and I hope to one day become a pediatric nurse

[@mommabear7981]

Thank you so much for this! I feel this is me. I have no diagnosis for myself, but I'm in the process of getting my almost 5-year-old son diagnosed, and with the more research I do, I am discovering that I am also likely on the spectrum as well. I am a single mother, I am in nursing school, and I'm incredibly overwhelmed with everything right now. My family is in complete denial with my son's behavioural and sensory issues, and they keep telling me he's just a normal little boy. I never say there is anything "wrong" with my son because it has such a negative connotation, but rather that my son is neurodivergent and incredibly special. Thank you for sharing your story, and for also giving me hope that I can keep furthering my nursing education in the future.

[@mommabear7981]

Also, can you offer me any advice for studying, writing nursing papers, and staying on task? Any advice and tips you can offer me are incredibly appreciated! :)

[@becurious2000]

Maybe I can do a video on strategies soon?

[@becurious2000]

I am so glad I can share my story with others 😊

[@briangarcia7030]

You are truly amazing!

[@becurious2000]

Wow, thank you!

[@BuckEboo]

My gawd! I’m in my 50s and diagnosed two weeks ago. I’m also an RN. Dude. It is scary how similar we are. Thanks for the video.

[@becurious2000]

You got this! Glad you stumbled upon my video. :)

[@noblestsavage1742]

I am coming to the end of my second year as a nursing student (in the uk) but I have thirty years previous as a community care ass. I recently got diagnosed with asd (at 47!) and I find that I far prefer working independently in the community than being on wards, although 12.5 hr ward shifts vs 8 hr community shifts probably goes some way towards that. It’s interesting to see other asd nurses prefer community too. The hardest thing I find to deal with is other nurses attitude! The patients are fine. You mentioning your sensitivities, me too; it’s so hard dealing with face masks and call bells! I can relate to so much of what you’ve said. I think this is the best asd vid I’ve seen!!! Kind regards

[@becurious2000]

You are too kind! I have met some amazing nurses and other health care workers with ASD. We are not alone. Hang in there. Working towards being a nurse here in Sweden now. It will be interesting to see if it’s more chill than back home in the States. Hopefully I can post more videos on the future on that.

[@noblestsavage1742]

@@becurious2000 well i made it. im now fully registered and got a job in an operating theatre, seems a good fit so far,

[@becurious2000]

@@noblestsavage1742 congratulations! Well done!

[@ingridcalderon6515]

I enjoyed the video very much!! Thank you for sharing

[@becurious2000]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@becurious2000]

Let me know if there are any questions you have. Maybe I can discuss them in a future video. :)

[@grafton3073]

Sci fi is a great gift to everyone. The technical aspects of any fandom is a great outlet or way to make new pathways to deal with stuff. To kind of give yourself an escape in your mind. I drive 10hrs usually every day with a 12-14hr work day. I think about my StarTrek world a lot and it helps me with stress and anxiety that I usually deal with on a day to day basis. Music listening and rhythm helps a lot too. With me. Just found your channel. Very cool. Highly logical. 👍🏼👍🏼😎

[@becurious2000]

yup could not agree with you more. Thanks for watching!

[@andytrinh8438]

I just recently just got diagnosed with autism and wanting to be a nurse I just finished my EKG classes and will take the certification exam in July this test if I pass will determine I should continue on and be a nurse thank you for bringing light to this now I have confidence I can do this

[@becurious2000]

That's awesome! Wishing you success!

[@SP-np6cz]

Haha that thing about sweden is so true. Im a mom to a little son with autism💙 Thank you for this video. Be yourself. Love from Sweden

[@becurious2000]

Thanks ☺️ I cannot wait. Leaving in 7 weeks.

[@celesteyeo65]

My son is 17 and was diagnosed with autism when he was 3 years old. He is currently in yr 1 sem 1 nursing school. Sadly he did not clear his first clinicals. From feedback given, it sounds like he had difficulty coping with the dynamic environment and experienced sensory overload. The school has asked us to consider helping him to reconsider another pathway. It is so heartbreaking to see my child work so hard and loving his studies no matter what challenges he faces.

[@becurious2000]

Sounds like he is probably super smart if he is 17 and already in nursing school. That is impressive. I went to nursing school a bit later on and started clinicals when I was about 24/25 years old so by that time I had had some time to learn some coping strategies although it was still very hard. I was working as a pharmacy technician when I was 22 till I became a nurse. I had several melt downs and even had suicidal ideations at that time that I believe where triggered by stress and depression. I am so glad that I was able to make it through that period. I would say hang in there. Take a brake from school if need be. Maybe after resting for a bit, take on a job that does not require college for a while to kind of get the toes wet and work on coping strategies. Then when ready, maybe restart nursing school or other career of choice. However, each of us on the spectrum is different and have different gifts, abilities and challenges. It is great that he has your support. Sounds like y'all are doing a great job helping him along this journey. Best of wishes!

[@xtfgrw]

I am interested in an update on this. What did he go with?

[@rockgoddess]

KZbin recommended this video to me since I've been doing an obsessive amount of research on Autism in the past year. I loved hearing about your traits! I just had to comment because we most likely could never share pizza. While I can do cheese pizzas as a compromise, the only topping I ever get is mushrooms. I love the texture, as long as it's fresh mushrooms and not canned (X_x). I completely understand the smell thing though! I worked food service for two months and I used to smell the cream of mushroom on myself long after my shift to the point I didn't want to eat that type of soup for years. Mushrooms do have a very distinct scent. I can't blame you at all for avoiding them on a pizza! I just thought it was funny how opposite your pizza preference was.

[@becurious2000]

that's hilarious 😂 thanks for commenting. Glad you enjoyed my post

[@riverdonoghue9992]

Great video

[@jaredjouette910]

Wow I can relate to a lot of this! I'm an aspie in Louisiana. Hi neighbor !

[@becurious2000]

Howdy there! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@lyrablack8621]

Eyyyy! Fellow (undiagnosed) aspie in LA training to be an RN myself ^-^

[@dancingram79]

Hello from a fellow nurse in Sweden! 😁 great video!

[@becurious2000]

Hello there! I am moving there in august! I hope to do a video about it soon. I applied to university of Lund to take Swedish classes so I can work there

[@KerryLynn-qr5ju]

The day I discovered encyclopedias became a core memory. Pure joy.

[@becurious2000]

:)

[@sbsman4998]

Interesting videos Brandon, amazing how similar Autists are, maybe we are a different species. I especially connected with your occupation, being a retired acute care P.T. having worked with many nurses, not all pleasantly, a few were friends but most found me off putting anal demanding that my patients be in order, CNA's heads up when I started reading a chart, if I could find it! Hospital interviews pre-employment, always up front stating, patients were my main concern, I would attend very few holiday parties yet be kind/pleasant to everyone trying my best and required an hour lunch including nap, without which I am toast! What a daily struggle, and on days off I relived every treatment, every conversation, could not let go until aging and increasing Autism forced a retirement, my Autism seemed to become more "un-masked", lower threshold for stresses. Autists certainly deserve more credit for any achievements made, surviving working in licensed health care occupations top that list ~~

[@becurious2000]

Amazing read here. Thanks so much for posting. Yea, the health care profession can be especially challenging. I am 39 years old, and in some ways, some things are getting easier, but others are harder. I can identify with the "need for naps." I recently started working from home since I do patient education by virtual means like video chat. I am so grateful for this. We just started this because of the cover pandemic, but I am grateful for this change.

[@sbsman4998]

Curious what is harder and easier for you Brandon? In some ways working with patients is perfect for an Autistic, assuming stress can be channeled somehow, for me exercise/dancing/directed stimming worked. Patient practitioner relationship is short term, a prescribed set of treatments with a common understanding focused on improving their health, us in charge without a long commitment, following certain understood protocols, perfect! My patients seemed to adore me, all that mattered to me! Tough part, this nagging social anxiety, doubting assessments of personal crap, drives this wedge ~~

[@becurious2000]

@@sbsman4998 I am fine working with patients as long as they are reasonable and don't try to bite me, spit on me, scream at me, ect. My biggest challenges were with coworkers, not all of them, just a few of them. My other big challenge was when my work load was so heavy and I was not getting enough help or support from others. I enjoy what I do a lot, but there have been days that I had such burn out that I would hit the bed and fall asleep for a whole day just trying to recover. Now that I am no longer a primary care nurse, and currently working in an educational department for diabetes education, things are much less difficult for me to cope with.

[@sbsman4998]

@@becurious2000 Fellow employees indeed, I was always amazed how so many of them just could not help themselves, they had to bully me, not taking them long to find my vulnerabilities and probe them with delight, yet most were nice to me and some even became "friends" or my facsimile of a friend. So exhausting, my health greatly improves the longer I remain in solitude. I believe it a myth that lack of social life is life threatening, BS, not for an autistic struggling for a life time trying to help and please others, outcome betrayal, give me isolation any day!

[@niggaliciouswazhere]

you give me hope.im.an asperger in nursing program

[@becurious2000]

best wishes!

[@albertoberdecia2392]

Way to go kid!

[@becurious2000]

Thanks :)

[@metteemilie9931]

Thanks Brain for your video. I am a nurse and think I have autism. I work in a ward department in Denmark and often do not have breaks and work over because I can not finish things and can be stressed quickly when many things happen at once and I get disturbed in my job, which is often the case in a ward department. I spend a lot of time reading and understanding and getting to grips with things and am more slowly than my other colleagues to do things.Do you know it too and how to deal with it? - thank you :-)

[@becurious2000]

My pleasure! I can sympathize and feel the same. I think for those of us on the spectrum/ aspies… we have to find a strategy that works for us individually. It is hard to pin point a specific thing that works. For me, I still struggle with the same issues even after many years of experience. Sometimes, changing departments can help… but it really depends. There are many variables. I know some departments are easier to work in. I have a friend who switched from acute care to working in radiology as a nurse. She says it’s much less demanding for her. But, it really depends on a lot of variables. Having a good team that you can be open with helps a lot too. If you are documented as having autism, it may be possible to share that with your team mates but that would be a personal decision and is not right for everyone. Hope that helps.

[@Goddess462]

What about not understanding if someone is trying to bully you or not. Not knowing if they are joking or trying to be passive Aggressive. That’s something that gives me anxiety. I laugh things off but think to myself if someone was truly trying to be rude to me.

[@becurious2000]

You sound about like me sometimes. It’s not always so easy to know.

[@jaidab944]

My life was read in this video. I probably won’t get tested because I don’t need any added issues

[@becurious2000]

I can sympathize 😊

[@EdvinPalmer]

Excellent video. I have a lot of these traits, too. How d'ya feel about balloons popping? And, do you happen to be intellectually gifted, too? You seem gifted to me.

[@becurious2000]

Thanks. Yea I get startled very easily. I actually disconnected my doorbell this week because it creates to much anxiety and stimulation for me. In regards to being gifted, that’s hard to answer without sounding I think highly of myself. What I will say is I have things I do much better with and things I do very poorly at.

[@EdvinPalmer]

@@becurious2000 That's a great idea. I should disconnect our doorbell, too. I hate that sound. It also startles me; creates anxiety and stimulation. I am gifted myself, but don't see it as thinking highly of myself anymore. I just see it as having a brain which is wired differently, but I have to admit that it took me a long time to reach this point of thinking. I'm 40 now. I totally understand where you're coming from, though. I also hated the feeling of feeling like I'm more than others as I'm also well aware of my flaws. That's why I, in the end, concluded I'm just different. Have yourself a great weekend, and I'm looking forward to returning to your channel.

[@becurious2000]

@@EdvinPalmer yea… I had a funny story… every one thought it was funny that I startle so easy at work . One night shift , I was in my patients room in the dark at 4 am (I had already worked 10 hours that night so I was quite tired too) emptying their urine catheter bag and a nurse came in behind me to ask a question of me. I was so startled because I was so focused on what I was doing that I jump and spilled the urine all over the floor and had to clean it up 😂. You have an awesome weekend as well

[@EdvinPalmer]

@@becurious2000 That is a funny story. Thank you for sharing it with me. It might've been a little mortifying, too?

[@kerrytisdale6244]

i graduated from nursing school in june

[@davidhusband246]

I have autism myself and have been struggling to become a nurse. Any mentoring you have would be greatly appercaited. Thank you for your video

[@becurious2000]

Thanks! I have more coming.

[@davidhusband246]

@@becurious2000 do you have an Instagram? Snapchat?

[@becurious2000]

@@davidhusband246 I have a Facebook account if you want to follow me there. :)

[@BriBooth]

I’m the same with the seatbelt!

[@becurious2000]

Wow! So I am not alone in that :)

[@BriBooth]

@@becurious2000 definitely not I that thing lol but it’s necessary

[@xr680r]

I believe the delution of everyone having autism seems demeaning to those that actually have. 🤔 For sure I had all this and more with all kinds of even worse. But, in the end it wasn't something I had to cope with or becoming self absorbed with my difficulty or letting the anxiety, overwhelming to be a self absorbed debilitating attitude. There is nothing times ten, most people are dealing with but, in the end I was pushed to the extreme and became focused to be an overcome, but, then again I wasn't coddled or was allowed to wallow in self pity. Grow up already and stop hijacking real diagnosis for others that is truly debilitating and using it for an excuse so you don't have to be responsible for an undisciplined life. The end product of someone that doesn't have self-control.

[@becurious2000]

Sorry you feel that way. I did have a very difficult journey and want to help others. I actually have been officially diagnosed. I am wondering if maybe part of the confusion stems from the fact that the term Asperger's was taken away and included in the autism spectrum. I would have originally be diagnosed as having Asperger's but with the new terminology I am in the ASD. I would be curious what your thoughts are on that. I sometimes feel when people think of autism, they automatically think of the more severe cases. So it can be difficult traverse explaining an autism diagnosis. Sending love and positive thoughts. Thanks for your time :)

[@bowallin7200]

You said in a video, that you have been planning to move to Sweden for ten years, how did i all start, why Sweden?, i''m autistic too, i'm glad to see you doing well.

[@becurious2000]

I have a video about it. It’s called my 10 year journey to move out of America

[@bowallin7200]

@@becurious2000 I guess you can always find a job in swedish helthcare, so if you want even colder climate, you can move north of Stockholm. I live just south of the arctic circle.

[@Seasonschangeillchangewiththem]

Hi! My sister is going through nursing school and is struggling with Her Nursing Therapeutics class. I suspect it’s the autism but I was hoping you could direct me to some helpful resources to help her get through this class? Thanks!

[@becurious2000]

Sorry to hear that. I would say the best place to look is through the specific university. I would look for pedogalogical support. Most universities have their own programs for such support from what I gather. I am currently using pedagological support at my university I am attending now. Usually they require you send in documentation of the diagnosis. If they have special assistance available such as notetakers or audio books, they can let you know about that as well.

[@calliehilbert]

I wonder if there are a good amount of nurses who may have aspergers. Thanks!

[@becurious2000]

Great question. I have had a lot of nurses and nursing students tell me they are on the spectrum on this platform, so it definitely seems to be the case.

[@toddstark2412]

Is that an engraved cast iron pan pictured in the thumbnail?

[@becurious2000]

Hmm, I do not remember what that is. I know it is not a pan, but now you got me wondering. I took that picture last year so I forgot 😂 I am thinking its a plant.

[@tonstotch]

I have autism spectrum disorder and I'm so afraid about be a Registered Nurse and suffer hate or something in work, I'll start the university soon in my country and I have have a long way yet, but I always think about that and my insecurities with some cruelty peoples.

[@becurious2000]

I have had similar feelings. I will say, I have had to deal with imposter syndrome a lot, feeling that I got to where I am by pure "luck" or chance. When I have mentioned that to people, many times they are surprised I have felt that way. It is one of the challenges that many talented people on the spectrum have to cope with. I know many famous people who are on the spectrum have had to contend with such feelings. I think in your case, just make sure you have a good outlet for your emotions and stressors, have a good support system, and hang in there. People can be pretty cruel and judgmental, but that is the minority of people. I believe in the 80/20 rule... 80 % of people are generally going to be supportive and not cruel. Which country are you going to be a nurse in?

[@tonstotch]

@@becurious2000 I'll be start at university next month in Brazil, but I have a dream to be a Travel Nurse and help other countries too one day. All this give me strenght for keeping dreaming and be strong. Whenever I feel sad or want to give up, I cling to my dreams, sorry for some mistake with my english.

[@becurious2000]

@@tonstotch no worries, your english is good. I understand. Well best of wishes on your endeavors!

[@tonstotch]

@@becurious2000 Thank you so much, for more nice peoples like you around the world.

[@becurious2000]

@@tonstotch my pleasure. Thanks for the kind words

[@sweetmarie1415]

new subby 😀

[@becurious2000]

Ah thanks 🙏 for your support 😃

[@sweetmarie1415]

@@becurious2000 you welcome and my son has ASD

[@LoveandHappiness37]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. This is excellent and helpful content. Do you have an email address that parents can reach you? If not, kindly provide another contact. Thank you again.

[@becurious2000]

Thanks for the kindness. I have my LinkedIn and Instagram accounts posted in my KZbin.

[@LoveandHappiness37]

@@becurious2000 Thank you!

[@teflonpan115]

I have an issue with repeating phrases obsessively when I'm on my own. The thing is, it is not very politically correct. Can't just blame my autism though.

[@becurious2000]

Yea that can be a challenge. I had similar issues. Phrases I found myself saying compulsively that I really had to try to not say was "diabetes", "your mama", and "dearly beloved". It was almost cathartic to say those phrases over and over, but was not appropriate. I just tried really hard, but sometimes I slipped. Most people were understanding.

[@C.I366]

he is monotone

[@becurious2000]

Yup that I am 😉 my brother jokes about it all the time 😆 it’s really hard to force emotion and feeling on these videos as it does not feel natural but I am working on it. Thanks for watching 😊

[@lindawells]

It's pretty typical of folks with ASD. I encourage you to be appropriate with the tone of judgment.