BPD, bipolar and RN?

Liddle Noodnik · Jun 5, 2005

Hi,
I am a nursing student interested in psychiatric nursing. I am also bipolar and have BPD. My issues are under control and I'm working in a very positive direction.
I want to work in mental health nursing because I want to help people who have gone through what I've gone through and because I think the field is interesting.
My nursing studies are going well. Am I out of line in wanting to be a psych nurse? Is it generally not a good idea to go into the field with mental illness, or could it be an asset if it's under control?
Thank you!

HI there - if you do a search there are some threads on mental illness in nursing, and depression, and etc. I am a nurse with bipolar illness and anxiety disorder and have been out of work because of it for a year and a half! Worst spell I've been thru.

You may want to read a book I'm almost done with now called "The Unquiet Mind", it's written by a psychiatrist with bipolar about her experiences with the illness.

it's The Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison.

There are many many of us nurses working with the diagnosis and the "treatment" is basically that of preventing burnout - sleep, eat, recreate, minimize overtime, take vacations, know your limits, take your meds! Despite that, sometimes you will still relapse, but not as often or as bad.

I did chemical dependency for a year and a half that gradually became a psych unit, I LOVED it and my experiences with illness (I'm recovering alcoholic too) really helped.

Good luck, God bless you, and what the hey - you only get one life! Go for it!

vegnurse21 · Jun 8, 2005

I am graduating in a year and psych is one of the things I'd really like to do as an RN. However, I am havin the same questions you are. I have BPD/depression (not sure which, haven't been Dx) and I've also struggled with bulimia for three years. Not to mention a breif stint with drugs/alcohol. *phew* I definitely think that having these mental illnesses contribute to me wanting to help people who would be going through the same thing.

But, in my case, I wouldn't work on a psych floor until I have my issues under control. I'd feel like a hypocrite and a bad nurse doing so.

You seem like you are confident that you are in control of your illness, so if it's what you want to do...I say go for it. :)

As for me, I think I'll wait a few years before I pursue psych.

ARNPsomeday · Jun 8, 2005

Hi,
I am a nursing student interested in psychiatric nursing. I am also bipolar and have BPD. My issues are under control and I'm working in a very positive direction.
I want to work in mental health nursing because I want to help people who have gone through what I've gone through and because I think the field is interesting.
My nursing studies are going well. Am I out of line in wanting to be a psych nurse? Is it generally not a good idea to go into the field with mental illness, or could it be an asset if it's under control?
Thank you!

Hi, FrostedGlass. I'm glad your studies are going well! When you have the time, maybe you'd like to read some earlier threads in this forum that touch on the subject. As I recall, the experienced psych nurses recommend that first we should be darn sure we have our own issues worked out.

Also there is a thread that is not exactly about psych nursing, but about any nursing for those with a mental illness: https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94244

Enjoy.

CharlieRN · Jun 8, 2005

Dear Frosted,

Please be very sure that your own symptoms are under control before working in a psych setting. My employer requires that any new hire have been able to go 2 years without treatment or symptoms. That is no doubt for their own liablity concerns but it is a prudent rule.

ARNPsomeday · Jun 8, 2005

Dear Frosted,
Please be very sure that your own symptoms are under control before working in a psych setting. My employer requires that any new hire have been able to go 2 years without treatment or symptoms. That is no doubt for their own liablity concerns but it is a prudent rule.

CharlieRN, so with your employer someone whose illness has been in remission for five years but must continue medication therapy, would not qualify for employment?

moon30 · Jun 13, 2005

Hi,
Everyone have some type of problems in this world we live in. I have a bachelors degree in psychology and many of the MD's, Psy.D's, and Ph.D's sees therapists too. Think about it hearing all those problems every day and dealing with day to day stress. The doctors sees doctors too!
We do not live in a perfect world and with all that is happening depression is not a secret illness. Being a nurse is a lot of stress mostly dealing with mentally ill patients. Make sure your are functional before leaping in psy ward with some pretty ill people including the doctors.
Tell you the truth normal people do not exist in 2005. The news will send anybody to depression.
Thank you!

moon30

kadokin, ASN, RN · Jun 15, 2005

I am graduating in a year and psych is one of the things I'd really like to do as an RN. However, I am havin the same questions you are. I have BPD/depression (not sure which, haven't been Dx) and I've also struggled with bulimia for three years. Not to mention a breif stint with drugs/alcohol. *phew* I definitely think that having these mental illnesses contribute to me wanting to help people who would be going through the same thing.
But, in my case, I wouldn't work on a psych floor until I have my issues under control. I'd feel like a hypocrite and a bad nurse doing so.
You seem like you are confident that you are in control of your illness, so if it's what you want to do...I say go for it. :)
As for me, I think I'll wait a few years before I pursue psych.

I don't know . . . no disrespect, but should you be doing ANY kind of nursing w/o getting your issues under control? It is a VERY stressful job and those of us w/o psych dx have to vigilantly guard our mental health through the hygeine methods previous poster mentioned. Please, if you feel you are suffering from an undiagnosed MI, see a mental health professional to clarify, get a prescription, whatever is best in your case. This is for YOUR own health and well-being as well as your pts. and co-workers. You know what needs to be done. Do the responsible, adult thing.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Jun 21, 2005

As an ex-psych nurse of 10 years, I highly recommend you getting your issues addressed and worked on and worked through before and during your venture into psych as a nurse. You can only give your patient what you have...health or illness...in this field. If you don't address your issues, how can you expect your patient? If you don't have good boundaries, how will you know that your patient's issue is truly his/hers and not yours instead? If you are codependent, you will need your patient more than he/she will need you...will you sabotage the progress of the patient to suit your needs to be needed as a result? You see, issues need to be addressed. Let your conscience be your guide here...not only your heart.

ZZTopRN, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2005

HI there - if you do a search there are some threads on mental illness in nursing, and depression, and etc. I am a nurse with bipolar illness and anxiety disorder and have been out of work because of it for a year and a half! Worst spell I've been thru.
You may want to read a book I'm almost done with now called "The Unquiet Mind", it's written by a psychiatrist with bipolar about her experiences with the illness.
it's The Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison.
There are many many of us nurses working with the diagnosis and the "treatment" is basically that of preventing burnout - sleep, eat, recreate, minimize overtime, take vacations, know your limits, take your meds! Despite that, sometimes you will still relapse, but not as often or as bad.
I did chemical dependency for a year and a half that gradually became a psych unit, I LOVED it and my experiences with illness (I'm recovering alcoholic too) really helped.
Good luck, God bless you, and what the hey - you only get one life! Go for it!

how having gone through a traumatic experience helps you understand and be more therapeutic to what another person is going through. Kind of like AA, walking in someone else's shoes.

vegnurse21 · Jun 26, 2005

I don't know . . . no disrespect, but should you be doing ANY kind of nursing w/o getting your issues under control? It is a VERY stressful job and those of us w/o psych dx have to vigilantly guard our mental health through the hygeine methods previous poster mentioned. Please, if you feel you are suffering from an undiagnosed MI, see a mental health professional to clarify, get a prescription, whatever is best in your case. This is for YOUR own health and well-being as well as your pts. and co-workers. You know what needs to be done. Do the responsible, adult thing.

I actually found your post to be very disrespectful. I understand that as a nurse you always want to put the patient first and make them a top priority. So I know where you're coming from, but the things you said just definitely rubbed me the wrong way. Especially the last sentence. Who are you to judge my issues? I mean honestly...you aren't really aware of what's going on with me besides the things that I have posted. I don't feel the need to justify to you what I am still struggling with and what I have worked through, but rest assured that I am able to provide competent care for each and every one of my patients. I am currently a PCA (I see it referred to as CNA a lot on here) and there isn't a shift that goes by that I don't get a compliment from a patient on what a great caregiver I am. I care about my patients more than you could imagine. Even the mean ones that yell at you. :chuckle:

So please, refrain from judging others, it's just very tacky. I am an adult and I am very responsible when it comes to my job. There is nothing else in the world that I'd rather do than be an RN. That in itself is what keeps me sane sometimes. :)

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Jun 29, 2005

Lets make sure this thread doesn't degenerate into personal attacks- stay on the topic, not each other. :)