Can bipolar disorder get in the way of recieving lnursing licensure?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, OR.

Here is the story. When I was 17 I took myself to the hospital because I was suicidal. The same thing happened when I was 19 for the same reasons. A few months later I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder 2 and put on many meds including lithium. I am now almost 22 and in nursing school, I havent had any depression or manias since 19 and I have been off of all meds for 5 month and doing great. I am worried that when the board of nursing checks my background for the NCLEX that they might hold my hospitalizations against me, figuring I'm not competent. Does anybody know if this is true?

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Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.
Here is the story. When I was 17 I took myself to the hospital because I was suicidal. The same thing happened when I was 19 for the same reasons. A few months later I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder 2 and put on many meds including lithium. I am now almost 22 and in nursing school, I havent had any depression or manias since 19 and I have been off of all meds for 5 month and doing great. I am worried that when the board of nursing checks my background for the NCLEX that they might hold my hospitalizations against me, figuring I'm not competent. Does anybody know if this is true?

Some states ask on your application if you have ever suffered from a mental illness or are under treatment for a mental illness. My advice, answer yes. They generally ask what for and a letter from your shrink detailing any medications and if he feels you are currently suffering from a mental illness or would it interfer with your ability to function as a nurse. I have been diagnosed with biplar disorder since the 70's. I have never hidden the fact and it has never had a negative impact on my ability to get a job or get a license or to renew a license. And I have not suffered an episode in eleven years.

Woody:balloons:

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I am bipolar as well, recently diagnosed. I seriously do not believe it will have any impact whatsoever of you being able to be licensed. If they ask for a letter from your psychiatrist or doctor, one issue that might come up is why you are no longer taking your medication. Bipolar doesn't simply go away, there is no cure. It is a brain chemistry problem and even if you've gone a few years without any depressive or manic episodes, it is unlikely that this will continue permanently. Unless of course you were misdiagnosed.

If you answer honestly (assuming you are even asked) and you have to get a letter attesting to your stability, I suspect that a doctor might possibly be reticent about doing that if you aren't following your medication regimen. How could he feel comfortable signing off on a patient that is not complying with their meds?

Why you aren't taking your meds is totally none of my business, and please don't feel like you have to explain why. I just wanted to air my opinion and let you know of the possible situation this might put you in.

Take care!;)

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What meds are you on that have kept you from having an episode in 19 years? Cripes, I cycle sometimes several times during a day. Mostly my episodes last several weeks and I am NEVER completely OK>

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Specializes in Home Health, Geriatrics.
here is the story. when i was 17 i took myself to the hospital because i was suicidal. the same thing happened when i was 19 for the same reasons. a few months later i was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 2 and put on many meds including lithium. i am now almost 22 and in nursing school, i havent had any depression or manias since 19 and i have been off of all meds for 5 month and doing great. i am worried that when the board of nursing checks my background for the nclex that they might hold my hospitalizations against me, figuring i'm not competent. does anybody know if this is true?

i have to ask - you stated that at 17 you took yourself to the hospital. where are your parents or other family members? do you have a support system? you are so young and i feel for you. it's a difficult thing to deal with, but look at what you have accomplished. i have friends who are bipolar and are some of the best nurses i know, so to answer you question, i don't see how it could stop you from getting a license. just be honest. never try to hide anything. i wish you the very best of luck. :kiss

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I know other nurses who have been diagnosed with mental illnesses, and one who has been sedated and removed from the unit. She still has her job. I should think you'll be fine.

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Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.
What meds are you on that have kept you from having an episode in 19 years? Cripes, I cycle sometimes several times during a day. Mostly my episodes last several weeks and I am NEVER completely OK>

Are you asking me? I haven't had an episode in eleven years. And the only medication I have been on is lithium. I had several episodes, in the 90's but I was also suffering from severe clinical depression. And was treated with several different antidepressants and several very long stays in the hospital.

Woody:balloons:

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I carried a DX of bi-polar for many years until 2005. I never had a problem in school or getting licensed in two states.

Always tell the truth if asked a direct question. There could be repercussions if you don't and then heaven forbid you need hospitalization and you didn't.

You didn't say whether you stop taking your meds on the advise of your psychiatrist or on your own. If you stopped w/o your doctor's supervision I hope you will reconsider. Bipolar doesn't go away and you never know when it will rear it's ugly head, but you can live with it.

Good luck on your boards!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, ICU, OR, PACU.

I am a nurse with bipolar disorder. I have been stable on my meds for years, also. And, I have worked in several different states. Be honest on your BON application, and be prepared with a letter from your psychiatric provider to back it up. I have never had a problem obtaining my license by doing that. Personally, I would never go off my meds. I've been down that road, years ago, and while stability lasts for awhile, it always ends. Always. Re-consider, won't you?

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Thanks for the info on bipolar disorder and nursing. I will be sitting for the NCLEX in about a year and am working on my Declaratory Order Petition now. I have bipolar type 2 and have been in remission for about a year, but this whole process is very unnerving. What is the petition process like?

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Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.
Thanks for the info on bipolar disorder and nursing. I will be sitting for the NCLEX in about a year and am working on my Declaratory Order Petition now. I have bipolar type 2 and have been in remission for about a year, but this whole process is very unnerving. What is the petition process like?

I do not know. When I reactivated my license, here in Florida, in 1996, they asked for a diagnose, medications and when I had been last hospitalized. My psychiatrist wrote a letter stating he felt I was stable and saw no reason to restrict my license. My license was given to me.

Woody:twocents:

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Not in my state (Missouri) as far as I know anyway...I was already an RN before showing symptoms...and I don't remember ever being asked that prior to nursing school or for boards.

I've been stable with meds since 2004...but since I'm on SSDI, I pretty much have to tell possible employers about my disorder, since I can only work evenings or nights.

Blessings, Michelle

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