Bipolar Nurses

[Always a Catch 22]

Do you know any bipolar nurses? Would you be uncomfortable working with one? Has their disorder interfered in their patient care?

[scoochy]

I suggest reading:

"An Uniquiet Mind" by Dr Kay Jamison, Phd(Psychology)

She suffers from Bipolar disorder, & has

achieved a prestigious career as a Professor @ Johns Hopkins Univ -

a great read.

I Had a colleague/friend w/Bipolar - he's doing quite well now,

but had some "rough patches" in the past....

Excellent read!!!!

[NGarcia]

I am starting nursing school in January and am so glad I found this thread. I was honest with my nursing program coordinator about my Bipolar II disorder but am concerned about having disclosed this information. I felt that being honest was the best thing but I am worried that it will affect the way my nursing instructors view me. I am glad to know that I am not alone in this. My experiences with this disorder were a big part of my decision in pursuing a career in nursing. I really think that it will make me a better nurse. I'm just going to continue to be honest and hope for the best!

[Marshall1]

I feel confident you are not the only bipolar nurse or nurse on medication for mental health reasons that you work with or are on this board. Just like medications for heart disease, diabetes, etc., medications for mental health issues are also useful and necessary. ANY disease process that is not managed can become a liability - regardless of what someone does for a living..someone who is diabetic who doesn't care for themselves properly could fall out at any job. There is no need to advertise any disease process we may have however there is no need to hide/be ashamed of it either. Your health is just that - YOUR PRIVATE health - if someone around you needs to know something about you you can tell them but otherwise - it's none of their business. I personally just started on antidepressants. I have no problem telling people if needed, I am certainly not ashamed of the depression that has basically ruled my life for a great portion of it so if someone can't "deal" with working with me because they know I take an antidepressant - so be it. I don't care. I'm there for the patients, to support my coworkers and to get the job done so at the end of the day I can reflect back and think "yep, did the best I could do and its good" - take care of yourself and let the opinions of other people be just that - THEIR opinions - what matters most is how you see yourself. Good luck and do not leave nursing if its what you truly love -

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I work with a bi-polar nurse. It has never been a problem. She takes her meds, so so what? She is stable. It is the same as working with a diabetic nurse. Sometimes things may happen, but oh well, no one is perfect medically. Near everyone needs a job for money.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

I worked with a bipolar nurse who refused to take her meds. One day I heard her speaking VERY harshly to a patient, with the end result being a sobbing teenager who was scared to death because of this nurse's behavior. This nurse was later reprimanded and because of other similar behaviors, was fired.

I don't see a problem with this disorder as long as it is controlled with proper medication and follow up.