Bipolar SN is picky about shift, soon-to-be new grad can't work overnight

[KaminoAcid]

Hi guys! Sr. BSN nursing student here!

I was glad to see a number of threads from nurses with bipolar about their problems and their triumphs. Thanks for sharing!

Here's my concern;

I have bipolar (onset triggered in part by working nights) and can't work overnights. I MAY handle it OK for one night, but then things are all downhill (and uphill and downhill...) from there. I've been stable on meds for quite a few years now and don't want to jeopardize my mental health by working nights or doing rotating shifts. Sadly, there's a new grad hiring slump here in Mass right now and I'm worried about getting hired next May.

THE BIG QUESTION:

To have a shot at being hired w/out working nights:

How much do I disclose to the recruiter or hiring manager? Do I disclose to coworkers that may be resentful that I'm not working nights? Would offering to work every weekend and/or most/all holidays as an incentive to being hired and then to appease my colleagues offset the 'no nights'? What alternatives to full disclosure are there where I will be taken seriously?

How to approach? Don't want to appear to be a liability or that I'm not committed to the floor/job etc.

Please share your experiences!

Any bipolar nurse in New England or elsewhere that can speak from experience about disclosure in their hospital?

Anyone have any experiences to share when trying to request specific hours/shifts/days etc as a new grad/new hire, slump or no slump?

If you're bipolar and work nights, how have you handled it?

What have turned out to be difficulties for you professionally and personally working as a nurse and being bipolar?

Previous advice:

The only faculty that knows I'm bp is my very experienced MH clinical instructor from last semester who saw that I was somewhat uncomfortable with the clinical and asked what my issues might be. She was very supportive but suggested I never tell anyone I work for or with that I have bp.

So you see my conundrum.

This is a pretty big concern of mine because I'm very specific about my goals and I'm worried that my shift limitations will delay my progress. I'm 29, married, and would like to have kids AFTER getting ICU experience and going for my CRNA masters.

Thanks all!

This is my first time posting and I haven't determined how to allow people to email me or PM me, yet. I'll work that out soon in case someone wants to share about this more privately. Its so nice to have a forum to talk about all things nursing and all things personal for nurses.

Its a whopper of a post so if you've gotten this far I really appreciate it. You're a saint!

Looking forward to any and all input!

[BeachBayNurse]

I would just flat out tell the manager that you have found night shift does not work for you. I would also very politely state that you could only take the position on the fact that you will never have to rotate to nights. You do not have to tell why, in fact it seems in nursing information travels fast, so I would not say anything to anyone that I wouldn't want said over the intercom

[flashpoint]

It never hurts to ask...a lot of places do have day shifts available. The hospital where I worked (and the nursing home where I work now) had die-hard night shifters...there were almost always day shifts available, but nights were pretty hard to come by.

Good Luck!

[NewWayofLife]

I don't know where in MA you are, but I know what you mean about the new grad hiring issues. I graduated 2 years ago and had to get some LTC/sub-acute experience before I was considered "marketable" to the hospitals. I've been at a "smaller" hospital for about 6 months now. There are too many new grads and not enough experienced nurses in many areas. I have family members with bipolar who have had manic episodes from sleep deprivation, so I can understand that you cannot afford to take chances. Day shifts can be hard to come by, but I've talked to several nurse managers who prefer to put new grads on days, so don't give up! Nights (which is what I've always worked) are difficult when there's less support around you.