[zoeboboey]

xoxoxo hugs for All y'all, I have enjoyed reading these posts!

That should be the title for this site, "All y'all nurses", whattaya think? LOL

[MD1211]

It was my understanding that nurses with mental illness or a history of mental illness were not allowed to practice. Short term depression was evaluated. Can someone clarify this for me?

Personally, I would rather a nurse have it diagnosed and be taking her meds than avoiding a psychiatrist in fear of losing the license.

[RNOTODAY]

Originally Posted by MD1211

It was my understanding that nurses with mental illness or a history of mental illness were not allowed to practice. Short term depression was evaluated. Can someone clarify this for me?

Personally, I would rather a nurse have it diagnosed and be taking her meds than avoiding a psychiatrist in fear of losing the license.

where did you get this idea? nurses practice everday with 'mental illness".anxiety, depression, are only the common ones...

[MD1211]

wow, I had no idea. It was one of the prescreening parts of the ADN program. There is also a spot in the BNE website for renewal purposes that says:

"...other renewal questions asks "In the past 5 years, have you been diagnosed with or treated or hospitalized for schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, paranoid personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or borderline personality disorder?"

I guess that is where I got it.

[RNOTODAY]

Originally Posted by MD1211

wow, I had no idea. It was one of the prescreening parts of the ADN program. There is also a spot in the BNE website for renewal purposes that says:

"...other renewal questions asks "In the past 5 years, have you been diagnosed with or treated or hospitalized for schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, paranoid personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or borderline personality disorder?"

I guess that is where I got it.

asking and not allowing you to practice, are two very different things.... one can tell them, or not tell them... the BON is not allowed to know your personal health info....

[MD1211]

Thank you so much for that clarification!

[Danish]

Im in nursing school now and I suffer from Bipolar disorder. My psychotropic meds did not show up on my drug test, nor did I share that info with anyone at my school. I am having some difficulty managing stress and not letting that trigger my disorder. When I am anxious and stressed, I tend to feel myself getting depressed and can sometimes talk myself back. I have been through 6 years of cognitive therapy and I it has been the best thing for me. I can recognize what is going on and that Im not thinking clearly. When Im manic, I have to tell myself to "shut up". It helps a lot that my husband is supportive and understands the disorder. Having a good support system is so important.
Good luck and God Bless!
Im here anytime if you just need to vent

[jzzy88]

Originally Posted by MD1211

It was my understanding that nurses with mental illness or a history of mental illness were not allowed to practice. Short term depression was evaluated. Can someone clarify this for me?

Personally, I would rather a nurse have it diagnosed and be taking her meds than avoiding a psychiatrist in fear of losing the license.

The Americans with disabilities act prohibits discrimination based on psychological disabilities and any nurse that was told he/she couldn't practice would be able to sue under this law and I think win.

There seems to be paranoia and 'stigma' (in general) around mental health issues, based on ignorance, and I'm surprised that this persists in the field of health sciences. I am also surprised that there are people who do not know their rights under the Americans with disabilities act and that they have a right to work under that law.

Just my 2 cents.
J

[MD1211]

well, I was just wondering since it is in a required declaratory order for the BNE application/licensure. I am not trying to rub anyone the wrong way.

[woody62]

Originally Posted by Danish

Im in nursing school now and I suffer from Bipolar disorder. My psychotropic meds did not show up on my drug test, nor did I share that info with anyone at my school. I am having some difficulty managing stress and not letting that trigger my disorder. When I am anxious and stressed, I tend to feel myself getting depressed and can sometimes talk myself back. I have been through 6 years of cognitive therapy and I it has been the best thing for me. I can recognize what is going on and that Im not thinking clearly. When Im manic, I have to tell myself to "shut up". It helps a lot that my husband is supportive and understands the disorder. Having a good support system is so important.
Good luck and God Bless!
Im here anytime if you just need to vent

I too suffer from bipolar disorder. I was finally correctly diagnosed in 1976, after spending time in therapy and on a truck load of antidepressants that did nothing to solve my problems. I have never shared with any employer my diagnoses and never plan to. Even health care professionals have a misunderstanding of mental illness and frequently treat their peers negatively. Despite knowing the problems that accompany mental issues, they seem to think that because one is a nurse they should know how to get out of their depression. And they react very negatively when we don't. They don't treat us like other patients. And they tend to view us with a jaundice eye when we work.

Woody