An easy nursing field

Nurses Disabilities

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Hi,

I have just been diagnosed with schizophrenia about two months ago. and I was just wondering what would be an easy nursing job for someone because of a mental illness with less stress and busy-ness. I'm thinking about school nursing. someone had told me that post-partum in the baby room is also a good choice. Although I'm not sure right now since i'm still recovering, if it's a good idea to be around a bunch of new born babies, since i'm so absentminded these days. I still need to see how much i'm going to recover, but i was wondering if some of you guys could give me some advice right now anyway. I'm worried right now I may not be able to follow my dreams of being a nurse because of this predicament. Thank you, I really appreciate it.

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honestly, i've never known a schizophrenic who was a nurse.

i never imagined it to be doable.

of course i could be wrong, but those who i have known w/schizophrenia, still struggled on their meds.

i think your psychiatrist would be able to offer you some insight?

truly, i wish you nothing but the very best.

leslie

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honestly, i've never known a schizophrenic who was a nurse.

i never imagined it to be doable.

of course i could be wrong, but those who i have known w/schizophrenia, still struggled on their meds.

i think your psychiatrist would be able to offer you some insight?

truly, i wish you nothing but the very best.

leslie

Thanks, Leslie =)

I have pretty mild schizophrenia and it's the dissociative type which isn't as bad as the other types. so i think i can at least work part time. in a couple of months, i'll be in pretty good shape i think. psychiatrist said i could be optimistic about working. anyway, i still have one more year left of nursing school i need to get back to next spring. i think school nursing maybe at a college would be quite easy? or maybe a nurse counselor?

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I think that seeing how well you do in your remaining year of nursing school will give you the best idea of how well you will be able to do in nursing at large. Keep in mind, though, that most "easy" jobs in nursing require significant clinical experience in order to be considered qualified/eligible.

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So many things play into recovery from an episode of mental illness.

(Age of onset, your response to your meds, stress menagement skills, your available support systems are just a few things that can affect recovery.)

I don't think its impossible for you to establish yourself as a professional but I do think that you will have to work your recovery program very carefully as you return to school.

I wonder if a call to your state Department of Vocational Rehabilitation could help you with your questions. Down the road they may be able to help you with job hunting etc.

Wishing you nothing but the very best as you pursue your recovery.

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Thanks, Leslie =)

I have pretty mild schizophrenia and it's the dissociative type which isn't as bad as the other types. so i think i can at least work part time. in a couple of months, i'll be in pretty good shape i think. psychiatrist said i could be optimistic about working. anyway, i still have one more year left of nursing school i need to get back to next spring. i think school nursing maybe at a college would be quite easy? or maybe a nurse counselor?

ah, ok.

i do think with a mild form of it, you should be ok.

i think the more insight you have into your debility, the more power you will have in steering yourself in the most therapeutic direction.

and just by virtue of seeking an 'easy' nsg job, it implies that you know your abilities as well as your limitations.

i really like hm2viking's suggestion of meeting w/a vocational counselor.

and if you can get your foot in the door, i agree about school nsg in a college.

and, if you got a job in a college, you could pursue your education for free/little $$.

i really am rooting for you, deb.

i think you have much to contribute to our profession.

leslie

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Thanks guys. Looking into a vocational counselor is a great idea. There has to be something available. I will see how well I do in clinicals/school next year. it's kinda sad, because I used to want to be an ER nurse, but that's going to have to change maybe. I've been reading that big nurses with mental illness thread, and it's an inspiration and amazing to see so many nurses are still able to work.

Wishing you guys the best in your career too. Thank you!

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While Public Health can be challenging I think it may be a field that could be another avenue.

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Okay the UK is different but in my job in Occupational Health I dealt with loads of people in many differing areas including Acute areas (and doctors) who had it, the important thing is follow your meds, keep up to date with your care, intresting question do hospitals in the US have Occupational Health we used to help all our staff with disabilities? we didn't monitor it it was up to managers to tell us if there was a problem (although if admitted on questionaire we would get them in but can't remember ever not passing someone fit for this), but we would help if there was, but it was confidential so such and such manager would write a letter saying my member of staff if behaving in an irratic fashion for arguements sake and I would write back eg

Dear Manager so and so

Thank you for refering X

They have a long standing/newly diagnosed medical health issue which requires sickness leave/time out from work/ futher treatment.

and quite frankly the managers never knew if it was a sore toe, cancer or mental illness, but on the flip side we can come down hard on the lead swingers, after, consultant, gp reports ect.

But as I say I am not from the US

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I know a nurse at my hospital who has schizophrenia and she is on the IV team. Strange lady but damn good at IVs and such.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Progressive Care.
it's kinda sad, because I used to want to be an ER nurse, but that's going to have to change maybe.

If you really want to work in the ED i would not write it off just yet, especially given that this is a new dx. I have known several people with schizophrenia that are able to maintain extremeley challenging jobs. In addition to a voc rehab specialist I would urge you to have a frank talk with your psychiatrist and I would also urge you to get in touch with other people that have your disorder.

I am sorry about you dx - having your education and career plans disrupted in this way must be truly horrid. I wish you the best for a speedy and full recovery.

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Agree with asking your doc for ideas...also, you can check with the vocational rehab office (most towns have them), or Americans with Disabilities website for info on mental illness. Your state board may also be of use- although you need to only give them the bare minimum of info (but be honest- just careful) to see if there's a peer assistance program for mental illness (they aren't all for substance abuse)....

My big concern is the dissociation and forgetfulness with nursing. I'd think that a very task oriented, scheduled, structured situation might be good, but nearly all nursing has unexpected things that throw anybody for a loop... You have insight re: not being around babies...anything where chaos is the norm won't be too helpful for you- and risky for the patients...

If it's more dissociative than schizophrenia, then the longterm prognosis may be a bit better- your doc is going to be a big asset in helping with this....

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