Advice- No experience, job searching

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello,

A little background about myself, I am a BSN RN and I left the bedside too early. I got sick- at the time I was undiagnosed, but I knew i had some type of mental disorder. I was working in the pediatric unit for a total of six months and left because of my inability to cope with stress and I felt I was unsafe to practice. Two years later they diagnosed me with bipolar type 2 (mind you, I was without meds that whole time). So yea, 6 months experience at the bedside and 2 years experience as a tobacco treatment specialist, which I don't think counts as clinical experience. Anyhow, I am now taking medication and looking for another job. I have a passion for electronic health records and I am wanting to work on my masters in health informatics or information science. Unfortunately, I made a crucial error in my last interview and I am not expecting a call back. It was for a RN clinical analyst position. I am super bummed about that, but I'm still trying to find another job in a similar field. Any advice out there? How do I market myself? Do y'all think I should disclose my diagnosis? I reaaaaally want a job like this. But what can I do to make up for my lack of bedside experience? I feel like I can't handle med surg, but I am open to working in a mental health hospital. However, I don't know how different in stress that might be. Any advice is appreciated.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Hello,

A little background about myself, I am a BSN RN and I left the bedside too early. I got sick- at the time I was undiagnosed, but I knew i had some type of mental disorder. I was working in the pediatric unit for a total of six months and left because of my inability to cope with stress and I felt I was unsafe to practice. Two years later they diagnosed me with bipolar type 2 (mind you, I was without meds that whole time). So yea, 6 months experience at the bedside and 2 years experience as a tobacco treatment specialist, which I don't think counts as clinical experience. Anyhow, I am now taking medication and looking for another job. I have a passion for electronic health records and I am wanting to work on my masters in health informatics or information science. Unfortunately, I made a crucial error in my last interview and I am not expecting a call back. It was for a RN clinical analyst position. I am super bummed about that, but I'm still trying to find another job in a similar field. Any advice out there? How do I market myself? Do y'all think I should disclose my diagnosis? I reaaaaally want a job like this. But what can I do to make up for my lack of bedside experience? I feel like I can't handle med surg, but I am open to working in a mental health hospital. However, I don't know how different in stress that might be. Any advice is appreciated.

With only six months of experience, you are unlikely to find a position away from the bedside unless you're looking to work in a physician's office or something similar. Most of my bipolar friends say do not disclose your illness unless you're forced to. (Stacy had a manic episode at work, and that more or less outed her. ) If you cannot handle Med/Surg, what about rehab or LTC?

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There are limited places for me to work at in my city. I did apply to a position as an RN at our local nursing home, but I don't really know how to feel about it since my heart lies with working with EHRs. But I guess there's no pain in trying. And yea , I figured it wouldn't be a great idea to disclose my condition. Thanks for the advice!

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Specializes in ED, psych.

This bipolar lady says -- Don't disclose your diagnosis!!!!

Future employers do NOT need to know. There is such a stigma out there still; I would truly hate for you to lose out on a position because of that.

I actually work on an inpatient psychiatric floor but am moving on to neuro ICU in a few weeks. If you're interested in shadowing I say give it a shot. Different psych floors have different vibes (Geri psych is definitely more med surgey, youths can be more hands on restraint wise, etc), but nothing like your typical med surg floor.

Much luck to you in your job search.

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

As someone with bipolar disorder as well NEVER EVER EVER disclose your illness! EVER! Don't tell your boss, coworkers, HR, NO ONE! It will bite you in the ass more than you know. You think HR/your boss/coworkers/etc are your friends but they will throw you under the bus faster than you can blink.

I would try to get back into the workforce into whatever job you can get that doesn't send you into a downward or upward spiral.

Good luck!

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