Can a person w/Bipolr 1 be a successful nursing student/nurse?

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Just wondering if a person with bipolar 1 disorder can successfully complete nursing school, and go on to be a successful nurse?

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Hi, I am a pre-nursing student that has bipolar also. I just finished my first semester with all A's and just recieved my acceptance letter into the ADN program at my school.I choose not to take medication for it and there are some bad days but I have learned how to control some of the bad days by seeing some of my triggers that make it worse, like not eating enough. Work on some things that can help, deep breathing actually works for me. I believe if you truely want to become a nurse that your condition will not get in the way.

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I was just wondering. I know stress plays a part in triggers. I'm so excited about going into this field. Last night I just started thinking about it. I see so man people on her posting about being super stressed during school. Thanks for your comment.

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While I'm not bipolar, I do have severe anxiety and clinical depression. Last semester I took 12 hours of science and math courses (prereqs) while working 50-60 hours a week. I could only keep the anxiety under control by taking 15-30 minutes a day to completely relax and do something for myself. No matter how stressed you get, just make sure you take time for yourself every day.

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I don't specifically know that being bipolar will inhibit you from being successful, but I know that nursing school can be VERY stressful and has even given me an anxiety disorder (I haven't been to the doctor about it, but really considering). I would learn how to cope with stress and be able to keep it under control before going into nursing!! Lots of luck to you!

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Hi while I am not bi-polar there are days that I might come out like I am, due to stress, and everything that like has thrown at me but I can tell you this IF YOU WANT IT YOU CAN DO IT:) do not let that get you down. Take what you have and use it to your advantage you will be able to relate to patients that are bi-polar and will be able to help them cope. Remember you CAN and WILL do it.

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Specializes in PICU.

I have type 2 bipolar disorder and take medication for it. I was honestly scared that maybe I shouldn't be a nurse because it can be very stressful. But in the end, I know its 100% what I want to do and that I don't want to let this illness run my life. So I've applied to nursing school and I'm giving it my all. The main thing is to stabilize your moods as much as possible, get plenty of rest, good nutrition, and have a tool box of stress relieving things you can do as well as resources. Its gonna be hard, but not impossible. Don't ever let your illness run your life. Get a good counselor and find some therapies that help - for me it's medication and exercise.

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are you medicated and stable? do you know your limits? Do you have good coping skills for stress and upset? Do you have a good support system?

i would ask pretty much all of these questions to anyone applying to nursing school - Bi-polar or not.

:)

it is hard, but well worth it - it is like prepping for a marathon - you have to set your plan and course of action and roll with the punches.

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I sure hope so! I too am diagnosed with bi-polar and am just beginning to take the steps towards becoming a nurse. I imagine, like everything else I've encountered in my life, that if I continue to keep myself healthy, and keep an eye out for warning signs of an oncoming "episode" that my illness will not interfere with my goals... Good luck to you!

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