Should I become a psychiatric nurse?

Specialties Psychiatric

Published

Hello all. Lately, I've been considering becoming a psychiatric nurse. The problem is that I have been diagnosed with psychosis and depression. Does this effect my choice to a nurse?

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Check with your state's board of nursing. You may be required to disclose the details of your illness. If your state board determines that you're eligible for licensure as a nurse, they may place conditions on your nursing practice that could affect your choice of specialty. The board would probably be the place to start.

Best of luck to you!

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Thanks for the reply.

But I have to add that I am now in recovery. And the doctor's expect a full recovery.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

People who have "been there" can be great psych nurses, if their illnesses are stable. I wish you luck!

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Maybe the question is are you stable enough to be a nurse, does not matter what kind?

If yes, then the next question is would working with pts who are coping with depression and/or psychosis trigger you? By trigger, I means things like causing you to freeze, unable to focus, flashbacks...?

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

You wouldn't be the first nurse--in any specialty, let alone psych--with mental health issues. If your mental health issues are in remission/recovery, there is no reason why you can't function as any type of nurse.

However, I would take some time to self-assess WHY you are drawn to psych nursing. Is it because of a genuine interest/calling to it, or is it because of your diagnoses?

I will be honest: some people do come to psych nursing thinking that it is the answer to their own or their family member's mental problems, or believe that being a psych nurse will be of aid in their own recovery, or feel that because they have their own psych issues that psych nursing will come easily to them. Unfortunately, that often backfires on them because they fail to separate their own problems from those of their patients, or they force their own beliefs and attitudes regarding their mental illness on them, or they are unwilling to see beyond their own psych issues, or like catsladder said, they are easily triggered and unable to cope.

I'm not saying this is you, but you should honestly reflect upon it.

If after reflection, you still feel that psych nursing is where you belong, then by all means go for it! But remember that you always need to keep your own recovery first and foremost.

Best of luck whatever you decide!

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