Routes into ADHD assessment roles for adult nurses?

[NewAm]

Hi all,

Looking for a bit of advice as I’m considering a career move.

I’m an adult trained nurse and I am really interested in going into ADHD assessment. I know nurses can go into this, but most seem to come from a mental health background, so I’m wondering how it works coming from an adult nursing background.

I’ve seen some private 2–3 day ADHD courses and don’t mind paying if they’re actually useful, but I’m unsure if they realistically help you get into a role.

Just wondering:

• Has anyone gone into ADHD assessing from an adult nursing background?
• Would short private courses actually help, or are they not enough?
• What’s the best route to get into this field?

Would really appreciate any advice or experiences 😊

Doesn’t diagnosis require a clinical psychiatrist? I’m sure if nurses could do it after a 3 day course the waiting lists wouldn’t be years long.

Where are you op? Certainly in Scotland only a consultant psychiatrist can assess ADHD.

I would expect the nurses you hear of doing this have at least 5 years as mental health nurse following training, and are overseen by a psychiatrist.

It's not possible to work in a field you've not trained for.

This is really helpful to see, thank you for sharing. I think this is where the confusion comes in a bit.

From what I understand, roles like this aren’t about doing a short 2–3 day course and then diagnosing independently. There is a structured assessment tool, and clinicians (nurses) are trained to use it as part of a wider multidisciplinary diagnostic pathway.

My understanding is the actual diagnosis itself is usually still made within an MDT

I’m an adult nurse, so I’m trying to understand what training is required or how others have managed to enter this field as it does say on some job descriptions they are looking for either mental health or adult trained nurses with the right qualifications

Would be really helpful to hear from anyone who’s actually made that transition!