Can You become a Nurse with a history of depresion with psychotic feautures?

Nurses General Nursing

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It is well under control. I have not had a psychotic episode in years. Not since before I was diagnosed. I had no idea depression could cause this until it happened to me.

It was undoubtedly the worst thing that ever happened to me. I would like to get over it, and move on.

All the research I have done suggests it is possible.

Am I wrong?

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Specializes in ER.

Yes you can. You can even become a physician with that diagnosis. Im sure everyone's symptoms/severity is different, but don't assume that anything is impossible.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Yes. There are nurses who have worse psych diagnosis than you. I worked as a nurse before & after my bipolar diagnosis.

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Yes. There are nurses who have worse psych diagnosis than you. I worked as a nurse before & after my bipolar diagnosis.

Sorry to derail, but I see you're in Texas. What did you have to do to be licensed in Texas with Bipolar Disorder?

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Sorry to derail, but I see you're in Texas. What did you have to do to be licensed in Texas with Bipolar Disorder?

I'm not working any more & I was licensed before I got diagnosed. I know if I wanted to renew my license I would have to get a letter from my psychiatrist saying that I was ok to practice. I'm sure that's what you have to do.

I actually had a nursing classmate who was diagnosed before her licensing, had been telling the BON she was bipolar & then she tried to renew her license telling them she wasn't bipolar any more. It caught up to her & bit her in the ass. Don't lie, the BON knows all!

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I'm not working any more & I was licensed before I got diagnosed. I know if I wanted to renew my license I would have to get a letter from my psychiatrist saying that I was ok to practice. I'm sure that's what you have to do.

I actually had a nursing classmate who was diagnosed before her licensing, had been telling the BON she was bipolar & then she tried to renew her license telling them she wasn't bipolar any more. It caught up to her & bit her in the ass. Don't lie, the BON knows all!

My best friend wants to go to school with me, but she doesn't want to waste her time if the process is difficult. I'm trying to convince her that it won't be so bad, but some of the stories online are terrible. She's well managed, and is currently being treated. Lying isn't an option for her.

Thanks for your response.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
My best friend wants to go to school with me, but she doesn't want to waste her time if the process is difficult. I'm trying to convince her that it won't be so bad, but some of the stories online are terrible. She's well managed, and is currently being treated. Lying isn't an option for her.

Thanks for your response.

You're welcome. She can do it, it isn't a incredibly difficult. If everything is well managed then she should do it! Although (& I'm sure she knows this) working nights & not getting enough sleep can make her manic.

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Although (& I'm sure she knows this) working nights & not getting enough sleep can make her manic.

Not getting enough sleep can impact everyone's mental health, if someone has a known pre-existing condition and wants to work in healthcare, choosing one of the non-shiftwork professions may make it easier to manage their mental health.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Not getting enough sleep can impact everyone's mental health, if someone has a known pre-existing condition and wants to work in healthcare, choosing one of the non-shiftwork professions may make it easier to manage their mental health.

Really? I don't think so. I worked days, eves & nights. As long as everything is controlled & a person keeps up with their psychiatrist and/or therapist, that person with bipolar disorder should be fine.

I find this VERY insulting. There is no reason people with mental health diagnosises can't work a job that has shift work. There are GREAT nurses that are bipolar & what not. I bet you work with some but just don't know it.

I think some education for you on mental health is in order. Because people diagnosed with certain psych diagnosises can work & lead normal lives, just like you. We don't need special jobs. Also people with psych diagnosises can be MORE affected from lack of sleep than someone without one. I have seen this myself when I don't get enough sleep vs. my husband. I get manic where is fine. So please do some reading before you make general, insulting statements like that.

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@organizedchaos, I am sorry that you felt insulted by my comment, it was not my intention to offend. I strongly agree that people with a mental health diagnosis can work and lead normal lives. The research studies on shift workers show there are elevated health risks, one of them being an increased risk of mental health problems.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Yes, if it's well controlled and you get enough sleep, nutrition etc.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
@organizedchaos, I am sorry that you felt insulted by my comment, it was not my intention to offend. I strongly agree that people with a mental health diagnosis can work and lead normal lives. The research studies on shift workers show there are elevated health risks, one of them being an increased risk of mental health problems.

Of course. But I'm talking about people who already have mental health problems.

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