Bipolar nursing student

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2007

I don't think it would be safe to function as a nurse if you are in a manic or depressive phase, because your perceptions and judgment are altered during that time. To me, that would be similar to a nurse working while under the influence of mind altering substances.

Bipolar disorder is manageable, and I don't see why you couldn't function as a nurse if your illness is well managed. I would have reservations about someone with Bipolar disorder working in a highly stressful environment (whether nursing or any other profession), because high stress levels can function as a trigger for mania or depression. Part of managing Bipolar disorder is taking good care of yourself; eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep, and keeping your stress levels down.

The bad news is that I've noticed that most nursing students don't eat right because they are too busy, don't exercise because they spend a lot of time studying, don't get enough sleep, and are under a lot of pressure. The transition from student nurse to nurse is an incredibly stressful time that tests the coping skills of even the most resilient of us.

The good news is that nursing is wide open; you are not limited to working in acute care or LTC, where the stress levels are beyond description. There are other ways to function as a nurse that don't evoke the same levels of anxiety.

I'd suggest you explore your options as a nurse. What kinds of nursing jobs are out there that might be a good fit for you?

PharmLover · Nov 30, 2007

Nancynurse, I definitely agree about the triggers, I have been working through addressing these things and working on having a balance between school and exercise. I am thinking that I would like to work in public/ community health... did you have any suggestions?

I really appreciate all the support (except danissa, you are making me feel developmentally delayed and it reminds me why i havent told people i know in real life my diagnosis)

It makes me feel awesome to be able to talk about this. I think I kept it a secret too long. and i dont even know you folks!

Alternator81 · Nov 30, 2007

I think that you should keep it to yourself.

The board of nurse examiners requires that you fill out a declaratory order, that asked you if you have ever been arrested or have any mental illnesses. If you declare that you have a mental illness, they make people jump through a ton of hoops. I have heard that some have just left that box empty. I'm pretty sure those people didn't tell ANYONE about it for fear that it might get back to the BON.

If you need to talk to someone, you should talk to your friends outside of school. Rumors and stories go around your class like a brushfire. For instance, a friend of mine told another friend in our group about something very personal that happened to her recently--she didn't even tell me or our other good friends. I heard about it from my good friend that was told by some other girl in her clinical, that was told by some other girl who sits in the front row, that was told by the only girl that knew.

danissa, LPN, LVN · Nov 30, 2007

Sillyanne...I didnt mean to make you feel Developmently delayed. Thats not my intention at all! just askin if you are ready to get on out there when you feel so vulnerable.

HM2VikingRN, RN · Nov 30, 2007

Nancynurse, I definitely agree about the triggers, I have been working through addressing these things and working on having a balance between school and exercise. I am thinking that I would like to work in public/ community health... did you have any suggestions?
I really appreciate all the support (except danissa, you are making me feel developmentally delayed and it reminds me why i havent told people i know in real life my diagnosis)
It makes me feel awesome to be able to talk about this. I think I kept it a secret too long. and i dont even know you folks!

I wish you the best of luck. I think that you will do just fine at the end working your way through school. Public Community health may be your niche.

MNmom3boys · Nov 30, 2007

OK..jump on me if you will. I just feel, being Bipolar is a bit different from being diabetic etc! I'm NOT..I repeat NOT getting on the Op's back, but stand by my question..how can you take care of others in a crisis, if you are having an episode?

I don't think anyone is jumping on you, and your concerns for some people w/ a bipolar diagnosis are valid. However, what you need to realize is that there are many people - diagnosed and undiagnosed - who function completely "normally". A person w/ bipolar disorder is not always in "crisis". This may be because the disease process is under control w/ treatment or because the type of bipolar diagnosis is not severe enough to be debilitating. Truth is, odds are you know someone who is dealing w/ this diagnosis, and you don't even know it. (Obviously, I don't know this either - I just going w/ statistical odds here.)

Yes, sometimes (often) it can be a debilitating, life-changing disease, but the statement that the OP needs to "get herself in a better place" makes the assumption that she is currently in a state of crisis, which is not the norm for all people w/ bipolar.

There are people who manage their disease very well, and will have a very successful career in nursing. But, there are people who cannot (or will not) manage their disease, and will do poorly in the nursing field. Unfortunately, these last two statements apply to many more diseases - mental and physical - than just bipolar disorder.

danissa, LPN, LVN · Nov 30, 2007

Appreciate that viewpoint, Mnmom!

Alternator81 · Nov 30, 2007

OK..jump on me if you will. I just feel, being Bipolar is a bit different from being diabetic etc! I'm NOT..I repeat NOT getting on the Op's back, but stand by my question..how can you take care of others in a crisis, if you are having an episode?

I'm sorry, I have to comment about this one. It may be different than diabetes. BUT, what about nurses with epilepsy? I know of quite a few. Are they going to have their off days? of course! does it mean they can't be productive nurses? NO!

They allow nurses to go through therapy who have kept narcotics instead of wasting them, or worse, out-right stealing it from pts. That is much more a threat to pt safety then someone who seeks therapy for a mental illness.

I think it is a bit unfair to judge if a person is competent by reading their diagnosis. Just because a person is bipolar, does NOT mean that they can't act in a crisis.

danissa, LPN, LVN · Nov 30, 2007

And I QUESTIONED...did not say that I believed bipolar nurses would have problems!!

MNmom3boys · Nov 30, 2007

Hello all,
I am a nursing student, and just within the last couple months was diagnosed as being bipolar. This last bit has been really rough for me, trying to deal with school, stabilizing, therapy... and mostly trying to figure our what the heck this all means in respect to my future. I haven't told anyone in my classes yet, and on numerous occasions i have heard other students speak of "crazies" with mental health issues, etc etc...and I AM SCARED!!!!!!!!! it seems that people are so quick to judge, and i have almost lost every ounce of self confidence that i ever had...
I am wondering if there are other nurses out there who have battled through all this, and how... i have to try and keep my had above the water but its really tough. Can i still be a good nurse? Will things get easier? how can I accept this reality... I am scared guys can anyone help??

Not having dealt w/ the diagnosis personally, I can't give you a lot of personal advice. (However, I do have family members and have taken care of patients w/ BPAD.)

My suggestion is simply this: learn as much as you can. Both about your specific diagnosis, as well as s/s, possible treatments, triggers, etc. I think you are on your way here. I would also suggest reading through the Allnurses forum r/t healthy living (can't think of exact name right now...) There are LOT of sources of info out there. More knowledge = more power (control over your life, your disease)

Good-luck w/ your search, good-luck w/ school!

BTW- :welcome: to the forum!

ETA - the forum I was referring to is the Health and Strees management forum. You will probably find resources on the Nurses w/ diabilites forum as well. HTH

nurz2be · Nov 30, 2007

Honestly, we ALL have problems. ALL of us. There are days Millions of caregivers go to work depressed, thinking of problems at home, tired, not sleeping or eating well, facing life threatening illnesses, kids sick, husband done left, dogs missing, cat ate your bird, and those who are just having a dam* bad day.

ALL of those things effect the quality of each nurses day. Each of those things makes us act and react differently than we do on days when everything seems to be goin ourway.

The HUGE difference is that nurses are professional they KNOW when they are at a point they need to stop, take a break, go on vacation, ask for help, and lean on others. That is why it is CRITICAL that once you Ms. Sillyann, decide you are GOING to be successful and you get into your work place, let those you are close to know what is going on so that when you are having one of "those days" that WE ALL have, they can be a shoulder for you as you will be for them when you are having a fantastic day and their world is all screwy. This diagnosis is only going to be as bad as you let it.

For the nay sayers, let them say and react as they will. There are SOME people who believe that "perfect" is something we strive for. I strive to be the best I can as we all should. Some days the best I can do is everything, some days the best I can do is get up and take a shower.

danissa, LPN, LVN · Nov 30, 2007

Never ONCE did I claim to be perfect..heck neither myself nor anyone I KNOW CAN CLAIM THAT ! But holy moley. chill a wee bit! To the op...I have actually apologised, for stating my views, which, in the years I have been on this site, have found thats the purpose. Sharing opinions, experiences.