Has anyone received their license after submitting declaratory for bipolar?

Nurses General Nursing

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I checked yes on the RN application about whether I have been diagnosed with bipolar within the last 5 years. I am so worried now. What if I can't become an RN now after going through all that schooling?

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Ormar. PA license application also asks those questions. Boards of nursing are in place to protect the public. They do not release this type of sensetive info to the general public, but use it to ensure that licensee has STABLE mental health upon licensure and each renewal. Yes people are licensed all the time, just need to go through additional hoop!

I checked yes on the RN application about whether I have been diagnosed with bipolar within the last 5 years. I am so worried now. What if I can't become an RN now after going through all that schooling?

OP- I was curious what the answer was to this. I just checked and there are several threads on this topic. I didn't read them in detail. But it looks like many people are saying they either did not have a problem, or they just needed a letter from their psychiatrist, clearing them. It might not hurt for you to read over some of those posts, to see if you can get additional information. Hope this helps some.

AFAIK, every state asks something like this on their licensure application (for nursing). The point is not to eliminate people categorically, it's to make sure people are going to able to practice safely. If a psych diagnosis was an automatic exclusion for nursing licensure, there really WOULD be a nursing shortage!! :) I've worked with many, many nurses over the years who had psych diagnoses -- I don't know if they had them at the time they first sought licensure or developed them later on, but they certainly haven't had any difficulty keeping their licenses.

I don't think they can deny you a license even if you are currently bipolar, that is probably illegal. I think they will probably just want to make sure you have it under control or are taking medicine.

I live in Ohio and it's good to know they put bipolar and pedophile in the same line:grn:... Oh Ohio.... how I can't wait to leave this state

In nursing school, an Ohio BON member came to our class & gave a lecture on the Ohio BON. When asked WHY the state requires disclosure of a bipolar diagnosis (& maybe other psych issues - I can't remember), she started a BS song & dance routine about it all being for patient safety, and also said that the board was concerned about the threat of a bipolar nurse stealing medicine from pts, blahblahblah. I guess we should also be concerned that those scum nurses with hypertension or diabetes might also steal meds from their patients. Idjits!

Actually, that seems like a pretty legitimate concern...

Not that I think people with bipolar (or other disorders) should not be nurses. There are many people with a variety of disorders that function fine. As far as nurses with hypertension or diabetes--that really isn't on the same level.

I don't think I can relate a person being by polar with someone who steals drugs. That makes no sense. Just because someone is bipolar doesn't mean they like drugs.

Specializes in ICU.
Actually, that seems like a pretty legitimate concern...

Not that I think people with bipolar (or other disorders) should not be nurses. There are many people with a variety of disorders that function fine. As far as nurses with hypertension or diabetes--that really isn't on the same level.

Sorry, but from my perspective as a person listening to the lecturer, the OH BON lecturer was a freakin' twit. To imply that a person with psych health issues might be more likely than a "healthy" nurse to steal a patient's meds is just plain stooooopid. WHY would a depressed/bipolar/whatever nurse be more inclined to steal meds than a "normal", hypertensive, COPD, diabetic, ... type RN?

I saw this as a plain & simple justification for silly rules. The OH BON apparently feels that nurses who are psych patients should NOT be trusted, and should be subject to 1+ years of state supervision, even if they've been stable for YEARS under the care of their private physician. Idiots. Just plain & simple freakin' Government-control-oriented "I know better than you" idiots!

One of my classmates was being treated for psych health issues (and had been under treatment for years). WHY should she be treated any differently by the OH BON for her health issues than me? If I'm treated for HTN, shouldn't the OH BON be paranoid that I'll steal Little Johny's Metroprolol, Cardizem, Lisinopril, or HCTZ?

Ormar. PA license application also asks those questions. Boards of nursing are in place to protect the public. They do not release this type of sensetive info to the general public, but use it to ensure that licensee has STABLE mental health upon licensure and each renewal. Yes people are licensed all the time, just need to go through additional hoop!
Indeed, I am aware of the question because I have had to answer them. Every time I answer them I get this uncomfortable feeling that it isn't right.
Specializes in ER.

Really, it's those that are NOT diagnosed and on meds that are the problem.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

"AFAIK, every state asks something like this on their licensure application (for nursing)."

I may be delusional, but I swear that my application for licensure in IN does not ask anything of this nature. Only the various "convicted of a crime" questions.

If I'm wrong, someone from Indiana will be along to correct me.

(Uh oh, I may be delusional - suppose I can renew my license?:lol2:)

Specializes in Tele.
"AFAIK, every state asks something like this on their licensure application (for nursing)."

I may be delusional, but I swear that my application for licensure in IN does not ask anything of this nature. Only the various "convicted of a crime" questions.

If I'm wrong, someone from Indiana will be along to correct me.

(Uh oh, I may be delusional - suppose I can renew my license?:lol2:)

Here in FL they did not ask anything but "convicted of a crime" type.

Indeed, I am aware of the question because I have had to answer them. Every time I answer them I get this uncomfortable feeling that it isn't right.

No it ISN'T right. PA, CO and OH boards of nursing should be ashamed of themselves. Op should just jump some "extra hoops" you say? I sincerely doubt it will be that easy.

Colorado's board should have told the nursing students ENTERING school that they WOULD BE asked this question prior to obtaining a license.

Interesting how CO's Natzi BON is letting OP sweat it out for being honest about seeking good mental health care.

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