Becoming a nurse with being bipolar

[luke1985]

i am on social security. social security listed my disability as bipolar with psychic effects. i have used drugs in the past, but am not using now. i am going to drug rehab to prevent a relapse. i have also been committed to a mental hospital. i live in ohio and before i go to school i would like some advice. do i have a chance at getting my rn license or would it be a waste of time going through school. i am 25 and love to help people. when i was getting better in the hospital the nurses would help me and helped keep me happy. i am now stable and my bipolar is not affecting me. i don't have any ups or downs. i would like to take my personality and share it to help others that are in need. i know nursing can be very stressful, but i am learning to cope with that with my therapist. i look at ohio's board of licensing application and it asks if i was committed to a hospital or am being treated for bipolar. it stated if i check yes to any of these that i need to explain it and to have a doctor state that i am able to work. i am just worried that they are trying to single people out with bipolar and deny license to people with bipolar. i am also concerned that they will find out i used to smoke marijuana and drink too much; but like i said earlier i am getting help with that. any input would be helpful.

[amandahRN]

I would check with your state's Board of Nursing. In Texas, you cannot become a nurse if you have a history of being in a mental hospital. I know some people who were very disappointed by this, and I do not want you to go all of the way through and then not be allowed to be licensed.

[RoyalPrince]

Forget how stressful real nursing jobs are.

Nursing school alone is double that stress and I think you need more stability based on your responses to pursue nursing.

[BrookeeLou_RN]

I would check with your state's Board of Nursing. In Texas, you cannot become a nurse if you have a history of being in a mental hospital. I know some people who were very disappointed by this, and I do not want you to go all of the way through and then not be allowed to be licensed.

Isn't that discrimination?..Kinda nasty as people are not all in mental hospitals for the same reasons? Almost like saying you can not be a nurse because you are diabetic..I mean under control no issues but what if diabetic nurse went into diabetic coma while caring for a patient???? If medically cleared it should be enough for BON.

Good for you to share as in texas it would be important to know that up front!!

[amandahRN]

Isn't that discrimination?..Kinda nasty as people are not all in mental hospitals for the same reasons? Almost like saying you can not be a nurse because you are diabetic..I mean under control no issues but what if diabetic nurse went into diabetic coma while caring for a patient???? If medically cleared it should be enough for BON.

Good for you to share as in texas it would be important to know that up front!!

I was told this during my mental health clinical rotation. I had a patient who just had a brief issue and admitted herself to the hospital on her own will just to make sure she got the best care possible. She was aspiring to become a nurse, and my instructor and the nurses on the unit all told us that unfortunately for her, she would never be allowed to become licensed. I agree, I think that it should be looked on at a case by case basis... Everyone has a history.