Criteria for bipolar and monitoring?

AMN74 · Jan 15, 2015

I don't know what state you live in. I take several meds for bipolar, and have for more than 15 years. I've been a nurse for more than 25 years. I have NEVER disclosed my meds to my employer or the BON. In my state, when you renew your nursing license it asks a question like, do you have mental incapacitates that would prevent you from performing your job as a nurse? NO I DO NOT. I see my psychiatrist regularly, I follow my medication regimen. I try to recognize any changes and/or crisis early and contact my doctor. There have been times in the past years that I have been hospitalized in mental institutions, I have been sick for many months at a time. I fill out my FMLA paperwork and submit it to HR and do the best that I can.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jan 16, 2015

Not all states require you to disclose a mental health diagnosis. Mine does, and since my bipolar 1 has basically ruined my career I did disclose it on my recent renewal. Guess what, they renewed it without any trouble, and now I'm good for ttwo more years in case a job I can handle comes up. So it doesn't have to be disastrous if you do have to disclose.

medisec · Jan 17, 2015

Thanks. I wasnt sure about the meds disclosure part since monitoring programs are also for those with addictions to controlled substances, or if that factored into disclosure for those not addicted but take meds that fall into that category. I think NMPs and BON from what I've read here have been unfair in treatment of those who are forced to participate just because they have bipolar and take such meds to help with that diagnosis. During my research, I came across one state's forms for it's NMP. One requires credit card info to charge participant. But the other forms that require medical information disclosure did ask for list of meds. To me it was a violation of patient rights (HIPPA). That is why I was asking. I do appreciate the feedback and the insight.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jan 18, 2015

It is a violation of HIPAA, in my opinion. But how do you fight that issue with the BON? They are all-powerful and can make us dance to whatever tune they want. Personally I didn't want to reveal my diagnosis, but I had to because it's had a major impact on my ability to continue in the field.

Wishing you the best of luck. I hope the hypothetical nurse doesn't have to go through monitoring.

medisec · Jan 18, 2015

Ha Viva, no, not a real "hypothetical" nurse but a situation I wondered about cause my son takes the meds without having bipolar. Just wondered how it "might" work if that were the case in nursing. Again, I agree, definitely a violation of HIPPA if you "have" to disclose your diagnosis to the workplace to keep your job or not get penalized. BTW, I did present at a medical conference last May on this topic based on the feedback you all gave me from this forum. Great response and recommendations to maybe publish, which might raise some awareness. When I am done with my dissertation I really would like to continue with interviewing some willing participants from this forum. When I looked up some states BON's (un)ethical practices with disclosure and NMPs, I don't find many articles. I also don't like the language used in the documents you all are required to sign when disclosing and for the NMP. I "think" it was Wyoming's BON?? especially that had contradictory language, then there are those publicly posted I think it was the Texas BON hearings for infractions...that totally is mind boggling to me how such personal information is made so public. Talk about unethical violations esp of HIPPA if it is related to disclosure.

PCORRAL · Jan 19, 2015

do you have to disclose bipolar dx in TX ?

elkpark · Jan 19, 2015

Ha Viva, no, not a real "hypothetical" nurse but a situation I wondered about cause my son takes the meds without having bipolar. Just wondered how it "might" work if that were the case in nursing. Again, I agree, definitely a violation of HIPPA if you "have" to disclose your diagnosis to the workplace to keep your job or not get penalized. BTW, I did present at a medical conference last May on this topic based on the feedback you all gave me from this forum. Great response and recommendations to maybe publish, which might raise some awareness. When I am done with my dissertation I really would like to continue with interviewing some willing participants from this forum. When I looked up some states BON's (un)ethical practices with disclosure and NMPs, I don't find many articles. I also don't like the language used in the documents you all are required to sign when disclosing and for the NMP. I "think" it was Wyoming's BON?? especially that had contradictory language, then there are those publicly posted I think it was the Texas BON hearings for infractions...that totally is mind boggling to me how such personal information is made so public. Talk about unethical violations esp of HIPPA if it is related to disclosure.

HIPAA is not some kind of blanket protection of privacy in all circumstances. The BON is not providing individuals with healthcare -- they exist to protect public safety by licensing and regulating the practice of nursing in the state, and that includes ensuring that licensed RNs are not a risk to public safety because of some medical condition that might impair practice. People who choose to enter licensed occupations/professions (all licensed occupations/professions, not just nursing) choose to take on a greater responsibility to the public than the average joe on the street, and also choose to give up some privacy that the average joe on the street enjoys.