[tothepointe]

My symptoms are well controlled and have been for years but I'm wanting to know what questions they ask reguarding background for LVN in California and RN's too since I will eventually like to step up from LVN to RN

[TheCommuter]

Welcome to our online community!

I work with many LVNs and RNs who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Mental illness is rather common in our society, and nurses are not immune in any way. It should not stop you from becoming a nurse.

Good luck to you!

[xoemmylouox]

Being bipolar should not prevent you from nursing. Just make sure you do whatever it takes to keep yourself happy and safe.

[tothepointe]

Will it take me longer to get my license as I've heard they put those with mental illnesses through extra hoops.

[xoemmylouox]

I have never heard that having a mental illness made it harder for you to get your license. I wouldn't go around telling everyone including any future employers. That's just none of their business is all. Same as your marital status.

[UNFORGETABLE2667]

if you arent bipolar before you start nursing, you will be by the time you have been a nurse for a few years.... lol.. you get pulled in so many different directions at once.... seriously, it will not keep you from becoming a nurse. i know several.

[tothepointe]

So I'm ahead of the curve =D I feel now in life I am better equip to handle some things than most since I have a therapist and a set of coping skills all worked out.

[UNFORGETABLE2667]

you just have to know what it means to be bipolar and respect the disease, admit you have it and do what you have to do to cope with things. i have it and it has not held me back at all. i think that i can relate to some of my patients better and give them someone to identify with. so, work it to your advantage.

[debanam]

I think you can turn it to your advantage to advocate for your patients. I've personally found that if you have insight into your condition and treat it accordingly, you can be very successful. I can totally relate to my depressed patients.

You should never be ashamed. It is society's shame that we cannot talk about mental illness. If you treat diabetes, htn, etc, why is mental illness any different? I have a depressive disorder. I work, go to school, and foremost, take care of my family. Nobody knows about my depression. It isn't their business, just like my hypothyroidism, endometrosis, and GERD aren't their business.

Good luck and welcome to nursing!

[debanam]

PS I wrote a care plan for a bipolar patient which got graded as outstanding! I really got him, thanks to my personal experiences.