Can NCLEX decline your application because of Bipolar disorder

poppycat, ADN, BSN · Oct 4, 2014

This is just my opinion but I think if you were diagnosed 7 years ago you should not disclose it. If you do, it's likely you'll be placed in your state's monitoring program for several years. This will include mandatory drug testing, therapy, and anything else they require. I have never disclosed my bipolar to the BON.

TXRN2 · Oct 4, 2014

i agree with what poppycat said: it has been more than 5 years since you were diagnosed, you are under proper treatment now that is working well for you, so you should be allowed to truthfully answer "no" to that question. Answering "yes", might lead to monitoring. Just make sure as you join the nursing workforce that you keep close tabs on yourself & your bipolar, to make sure you don't need any changes in your treatment &/or regimen. Best of luck! Keep us posted!

LisaB19 · Oct 4, 2014

Don't tell them, it's none of their business now. They don't ask about other diseases like diabetes. How many of us have seen a hypoglycemic nurse who is unable to function because she didn't eat? Isn't that a threat to patient safety?

Bottom line is, tell them nothing.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 5, 2014

I agree with all of the above posters. If your bipolar is under good control, it is none of anyone else's business but yours and that of your psychiatrist. If you look around the site you'll meet a number of bipolar nurses, myself included, who have had good careers despite having the disorder.

One word of caution: don't EVER disclose this information at work, and do whatever you can to avoid becoming manic. My employer found out about my BP when I had a severe manic episode that I couldn't hide, and I eventually lost that job when they decided they could not offer me the reasonable accommodations my doctor and I requested. The whole experience was humiliating. But I learned an important lesson: the less said about a mental health diagnosis, the better.

Wishing you the very best, and good luck on the NCLEX!

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Oct 5, 2014

Of course we cannot offer legal advice.. The question says 5 years so you should be in the clear by saying no. If you do disclose they will mostly likely make your life miserable.

caliotter3 · Oct 5, 2014

Five years is not the same as seven years, so do yourself a favor, and answer the question as written!

HakunaMatata<3 · Oct 5, 2014

well the question asks if i am currently being treated for bipolar, which I am....

"Within the last five years, have you been diagnosed with or have you been treated for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia,paranoia, or any other psychotic disorder?"

and

"If you answered “Yes” to question 7-9 you are required to provide a written explanation, including date(s) of diagnosis or treatment,and a description of your present condition. Include the name, current mailing address, and telephone number of each person whotreated you, as well as each facility where you received treatment, and the reason for treatment. Have each treating physician submit aletter detailing the dates of treatment, diagnosis and prognosis."

I saw the adolescent psychiatrist for a few months after I turned 18 which is unfortunately within the last 5yr period they are talking about.

Either way, I don't understand how the board would find out any of this information any way as Im not sure how they would have the right to go through my medical records

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 5, 2014

They won't, unless you disclose your diagnosis to them.

The problem with all this is, of course, if you have a severe mood episode and need to go inpatient. In some states, the treating facility is required to report a healthcare professional's IP status to their licensing board (if they know you're a nurse; that information might be better left out of your medical chart). In others, the reporting requirement is only in the case of an involuntary admission.

In either case, you may wind up in the unenviable position of having to defend a lie, which is not regarded well by the BON.

I think the reason most of us keep our mental illnesses on the q.t. is because we know what we're in for if we disclose. Most states have horribly punitive monitoring programs for nurses with MI which lump them in with nurses who divert drugs, have addiction issues, DUIs etc. These programs treat all the same: daily call-ins, costly psychological evaluations and therapy, and observed urine drug screens.....even if you've never used drugs or alcohol in your life! And all of this is at the nurse's expense.

If you do disclose, you need to be prepared for this. So make sure your psychiatrist and other medical references have nothing but nice things to say about you, e.g. that you're treatment- and med-compliant, you see your provider on a regular basis, and have been symptom-free for a long time. Again, wishing you absolutely the best of luck~

marvelmom · Oct 5, 2014

I wouldn't disclose it to the BON. Thankfully my state doesn't ask those types of questions when applying. I have bipolar type 1 and am managed with lamictal. I did disclose it to my boss because she asked how I was able to get along with a patient better than all the other staff. The patient is bipolar so I understand what she goes through unlike the other staff. Luckily my boss was not judgmental towards my diagnosis but not all bosses are like that.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 5, 2014

Marvelmom: You're managing your BP 1 on only Lamictal? How extraordinary.....I don't even want to talk about how many meds it takes to handle mine. What's your secret?

Seriously, you are very fortunate to have an understanding supervisor. Most of us aren't that lucky. I disclosed my illness at one facility when I had a manic episode I couldn't hide, which made me the scapegoat when we didn't pass our survey. I did manage to limp along for another few months, but then the anxiety took over and I struggled just to get to work each day. At one point I was almost hospitalized, and then they said they could not provide me with the reasonable accommodations my psychiatrist and I had asked for. I was told "your work performance is consistent with your diagnosis." When we failed to pass our re-survey, I was let go. My career went downhill from there, and I am now out of nursing.

I wish you continued good fortune. You sound like a great nurse. :yes:

poppycat, ADN, BSN · Oct 5, 2014

Viva, until recently, my bipolar 2 was managed well with just a low dose of Cymbalta. When I had hypomanic episodes, I was put on Abilify for a few weeks & then tapered off and went back to just the Cymbalta. However, this summer was very bad for me with horrid depression & the beginning of some mania when the depression subsided. Now I'm on Abilify & Lexapro. I was really happy I only had to take 1 med for the bipolar but am not upset that I now need 2. I'll do anything it takes to keep the horrible feelings at bay.