How to be successful with mental illness

Nurses Disabilities

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Backstory: diagnosed with Bipolar 2/GAD. Have been an RN for 3 years but have been job hopping and feel like I'm getting to the point where I can't get hired. First 3 hospital jobs were cardiac stepdown; spent 2 months at the first two and 6 months at the last. Tried LTC (2 mos.), pediatric psych hospital (2 wks), and currently doing PDN part time while on disability. My work history has been very spread out. Have been doing PDN for almost a year now but I'm going stir crazy.

My reasons for leaving each job varied somewhat but boiled down to not being able to handle the combined stress of work, home, life in general, and all the extra that pops up. I tend to react to the stress as opposed to responding. I started my last hospital job last year being proactive; I had my psych doctor with meds and weekly therapy sessions and I did well at first. Received nothing but compliments from patient and families and most staff. Constructive criticism was met with action plans and positive change. I was extremely anxious but I was dealing; it helped to hear from the other nurses that they felt the same way and I wasn't alone. However, all the extra started happening (i.e. hurricane accompanied by PTSD as I had been in another hurricane the year before and lost everything, among other things) and I just ran (running meaning not only leaving the job but moving).

I completely enjoy nursing, bedside nursing in particular, and there is still so much that I want to try but it seems a nurse needs acute care experience to do most anything else outside of LTC and Home Health. I have the opportunity to go back to my previous hospital job, or at least interview, and although I would love to, I am extremely hesitant because I can't afford another repeat. I've been brainstorming and besides trying med surg (because that step down unit was more like ICU with higher nurse patient ratios), I feel like I need a plan for when things start to go south. I feel like that might be what's missing besides some good old fashion resilience. I need to also work with the therapist in identifying what is exactly triggering me and what that looks like in terms of symptoms so the action plan can be used appropriately.

My questions are: How do I explain the job hopping during an interview? What else can I do to be successful?

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I wish I had some words of wisdom. I once went through three jobs in less than a year, and ever after that I had trouble getting another job. Actually, I never did, despite many interviews; I ended up going on Social Security Disability for my bipolar I and anxiety disorders. I haven't worked in over five years, and I put my license in Retired status this past January. I have had excellent psychiatric care and am very self-aware, but it's not enough for me to maintain employment.

I don't know how old you are, but you can explain to an interviewer that you're looking for an opportunity to grow professionally that was lacking in your other jobs. Research the company you're applying with ahead of your interview; that way you can discuss mutual goals with some knowledge of their mission. I obviously can't say with any certainty that this approach will land you a job, but it may help you get a foot in the door.

Wishing you the very best. Viva

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I'm 42. I still have at least 20-30 years left before I'd want to retire. As much as I'd like to use that reason, I don't think 2 months is long enough to decide that I didn't have the opportunity to grow professionally.

I'm in the process of working with vocational rehab but my counselor is encouraging me to move away from nursing. I'm not adverse to that but I at least want to give it a real chance before I make that determination and I don't think i have.

I'm also considering just staying put in my current PDN position for a couple years to show that I can be loyal and stable however I'm afraid if I stay too long in this position I may not be able to go back to bedside. That is what's really lighting the fire under my butt. That and the fact that I'm having a hard time being still; I only work 1-2 days per week.

I'm wondering if I go back to school for a BSN will that make me more marketable? Because vocational rehab would pay for that I'm sure.

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I've also considered volunteering at our free clinic here, which is affiliated with one of the two major hospitals in my city, but I have a 2 year old and I cant afford to pay for babysitting for a free gig.

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Specializes in ICU, Agency, Travel, Pediatric Home Care, LTAC, Su.

Hi there! Bipolar, GAD, Social anxiety, PTSD, severe back injury 4 years ago (none of my doctors want me working because I can barely stand somedays the pain is so excruciating) and two 3 year periods sleeping 10 hours a week. Tried for Disability twice at my Doctors and Families Insistence but I'm educated and younger (39) and so keep getting denied. I have been an RN for 19 years, worked 12 of 19 years, mostly Part Time & Per Diem after my 3rd year in nursing. My main specialty was ICU (mainly local agency, some travel) until I got injured. I'm just re-entering the workforce after 4 years off this time. I will be doing Peds Private Duty 3rd shift as the child won't be as active, just 1 or 2 nights a week as that is all I can physically handle and that will be a stretch. I *totally* get missing bedside nursing, i miss ICU a lot!

I have a ton of employment gaps in my resume (I'm talking 2,3, and 4 year gaps). Somethings that have helped me. For one, if I was only at a job a short period of time, unless it was a travel contract, I don't even put it on my resume. Secondly, do a ton 20, 30, even 40 or more hours of very recent Con Ed in the specialty you are applying too. Also, you do not have to disclose what your health issues were/are. Some do so they can be protected under the ADA act, some don't. Whenever asked about gaps in my resume I am honest, but vague. "Health issues", "families health issues", back to school, busy with church ministry etc. They can ask for details, but by law they can't discriminate and you do not have to answer (unless u have previously filed a worker's comp claim, and that I'm not 100% sure on.) When you did hospital nursing before was it a steady shift? I highly suggest working the same shift and sticking as close to the same schedule on your days off, with having psych issues, *especially* if u r on meds like me. Also, do u have to work full time? If not, I would suggest part time to ease into things. Also, try to get as long of an orientation as u can. Some hospitals have New(er) Nurse Programs to help transition easier into practicing on the floor, where they have weekly classes, meetings, etc.

I hope my ramblings help some, and I wish you nothing but the best. Also, I have worked in hospitals 26 beds to 1100 beds. The smaller hospitals tend to be friendly and may be a better fit and more understanding.

Lastly, going with the education piece, there are online CEU sites that you pay a flat fee for a year of online with over 100 courses. Some sites are only $70 a year, some are double. I have gone with netce dot com in the past. They offer over 1000 hours on a wide variety of topics and a year is only $69. Best of luck! You can do it♡

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appreciate both your comments and I have to say that although I'm sorry you guys have been in the same situation, it feels good to know that some people understand because they've been through it.

My most recent fail, I wish I didnt have to put it on my resume but it's on my credit history. So once they check that, they'll see I omitted and then have cause to fire me, the wording in the tiny print of applications withstanding.

But yes, educate myself with CEUs, hospitals with newer nurse programs, and a smaller hospital if possible. Great advice, thanks. What are those newer nurse programs called? Do you mean the ones for nurses wanting to go back to bedside after doing another specialty?

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Look into EMDR

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The therapy? Do you know someone who has tried it?

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I have a friend who is going through EMDR and gives it mixed reviews. Maybe she hasn't been going long enough (five weeks). She's bipolar 2 with a LOT of anxiety, which causes her more distress than the BP. I've never done it so I don't know firsthand; but I'll talk to her about the therapy next time we text and see how it's coming.

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