Future Nurse with Bipolar 2 Disorder

[izeli74]

I am currently thinking about going into nursing. I have worked in the mental health field for about 5 years now and I enjoy the medical aspect of that.

One thing though, I am petrified of conflict.

Let's start from the beginning. I was diagnosed 4 years ago as having Bipolar 2 disorder with severe Anxiety Disorder. I am currently on medication, see a therapist, and see a psychiatric doctor every month. (they only have openings monthly.) At my current job where I take care of Mentally Ill adults, I struggle because they fight. And sometimes that fighting turns to violence. Thus, it has already taken my mental illness and made it 10-fold worse.

Am I capable of being a nurse? Or would my disability hinder me? I know only I can make the call, but I'm reaching out for some input if possible.

Thanks.

[Nimrodel, BSN, RN]

Hi! I'm starting nursing school in the fall and have Bipolar 2 and anxiety as well. It was really bad when I was a teenager (dropped out of HS due to it) but I've had a really successful time so far with prerequisites and such. I'm leaning heavily towards going into psychiatric nursing, actually.

If it's the conflict that worries you, most nursing has different types of conflict than working in mental health does. Yes, you'll have disagreeable patients and such but it rarely turns violet the same way that mental health does. I'm currently a caregiver at a assisted living facility for people with dementia and they sometimes fight too, and it definitely affects me but I've gotten better and getting over it quicker.

Speaking from my own experience with disability, I don't think it means you can't be a nurse. There might be other reasons why nursing isn't the best fit for you, same as it's not a good fit for LOTS of people, but Bipolar 2 doesn't mean you can't do it. If nursing is really what you want to do, I encourage you to go for it with all you are. Good luck!

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Welcome to Allnurses! I'm a longtime RN with bipolar 1 and anxiety disorders, and I think you most definitely can be a nurse if you can achieve and maintain stability. Nursing is stressful, to be sure, but so are a lot of jobs out there that don't pay as well and don't provide the satisfaction that nursing can.

As with everything else that involves dealing with people, the potential for conflict is always there and you will need to learn how to manage it. I'm glad to see you're in regular contact with a therapist and psychiatrist, and that you're on meds. They may need adjusting if you're still having serious symptoms, but of course that's up to your doctor. You might also want to consider an area outside of mental health; luckily there are many, many opportunities in nursing. Be open to new possibilities!

A word of caution: You should probably never disclose your illness to your future school (unless you need accommodations for your disability) or employer. It rarely goes well. As I'm sure you're aware, stigma is still with us and bipolar is one of the most stigmatized of the mental illnesses . The fewer people who know about it, the better. However, you may have to disclose to your state board of nursing if they ask for this information, and not to scare you, but lying to them is one of the worst things you can do. They do have ways of finding out. Other than that, your path to joining the profession should be fairly smooth. Stay well, stay hopeful, and stick with your mental health routine even through school and beyond. I wish you the best.