NEED EMPLOYMENT

[coladot]

I was working without any problems until May 06' when I had a meltdown and my being bipolar became obvious to all my coworkers. I put my license in inactive status and did not work for 3 yrs. I could not function without fear of doing harm to a pt. and losing my license. My pdoc was concerned and encouraged me not to work until I became more stable and on the right medications and suggested I apply for disability because at that point she would not clear me for working. I have been on disability since 01/07'. I spend many times in an psych hospital and had ECT for my severe depression. I have changed meds several times and now feel the cocktail I'm on now is working well for me. I hate taking lithium but it is one of the drugs that works well for me. I really hit rock bottom to say the least. I reactivated my license in April 09' but u know that one question In the past 5 yrs. have u been diagnosed with any mental illness i.e. depression, border line personality, bipolar etc.. will I answered yes. I will regret that for the rest of my life. It has caused me nothing but grief and a lot of frustration. I have been put under the microscope. It has ruined my career. I now have warning with stipulations on my license. I gave them all the documentations and clearance from my Psychologist and Psychiatrist. I landed a job in 11/09 but the hospital closed in May of this yr. I have a "Agreed Order" from the BON which states I am to inform any employer of my stipulations and if hired give them a copy of the Order. The reason I did not give my last employer the notice b/c it did not go into effect until 3/10 and I already knew the hospital was closing in May so I thought whats the point. Will now when I apply for a job they ask if your license is in "good standing" If I say yes when they verify it they will find out so no point in lying. My problem now is I can't get anyone to hire me. I have send numbers of resumes via e-mail to no avail. I get call backs but they ask that question and it bites me every time. I have experience in ER,ICU,PACU but it's not "recent experience" and of course that bumps me out of the pool. I was working in post partum and really enjoyed that b/c the stress level was minimal and good for my mental status. Does anyone have any suggestions same issues or any thoughts. Please share I really need help. Thank you for reading

[coladot]

I need anyone out there 2 please tell me how you secured a job being bipolar. I have a "Agreed Order" from the BON. If I'm hired I must disclose I'm bipolar to the employer and provide them with a copy of the order. Now I'm having a difficult time getting a job b/c of the warning with stipulations on my license. What can I do any suggestions would be appreciated

[phlox]

I feel your pain.

I am a Bipolar RN and am not presently working because I had a breakdown in 1996. I am doing very well now and am eager to go back to work. I, too, am on a drug cocktail, finally the right one and I feel very capable and I feel like my gifts are wasting.

In Texas, if you are Bipolar or Schitzo, you have to check a box when you renew your license and then you have to go through Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses (TPAPN), a 2 year program, the same one that nurses impaired by drug/alcohol abuse go through. There is no getting around it.

I will also have to take a refresher course because I have not worked in so many years. But I have felt very good for a very long time so bring it on! I was a very good nurse before and I am sure that I would be even a better one now.

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

Think the BON have to cover themselves with regard to any nurses having an illness, though if you have clearance from your Dr etc I can't see a problem.

Can't you apply for jobs, and on your application state you have such-and-such a condition, and that you are willing to do a 3 month trial or something like that? That way nothing is hidden. I have found being up front with employers can work, as you are stating you have nothing to hide and most appreciate this (though not all).

Also what about going into teaching at all? Sounds like you have loads of experience. Could you do pre-operative assessments even?

Even consult a lawyer to see if this is discrimination.

I think you're not working with all that experience (and your illness is also experience) is a waste. What about doing psych?

Sorry I'm not much help here - just brainstorming.

[coladot]

I went 2 an interview yesterday n I sucked b/c I tried 2 move past the question " so why haven't u worked 4 the past 3 yrs" or why did u stop working in 06'. I just said I had some issues n so did my daughter(she is bipolar too) that I had 2 deal with n started asking them some questions to move passed that questions. I'm sure I won't get a call back. I have another interview 2morrow. I'm just going 2 tell them up front, what have I got 2 hide they will find out anyway.

[phlox]

What about the Americans with Disabilities Act? http://www.ada.gov/cguide.htm#anchor62335

Are we required to tell future employers upfront about a disability if we are stable? Does anyone know how that works? I don't want to tell it. Because I am in Texas, I will have to be in TPAPN for 2 years because I am Bipolar.

TPAPN

Texas Nurses Association: AFIL TPAPN home

[coladot]

I chose not to take the TPAPN route b/c of the requirements i.e. can not work night shift, buddy up with another nurse, 2 years of monitoring and you still have to involve the nurse manager and supervisors. I dealt with the BON and thru a long investigation they gave me a 1 year probation period with stipulations. I had to get my Psychiatrist and my Psychologist to write the board a letter on my behalf. I must inform the employer of my "Agreed Order" and should I get hired provide them with a copy. I will be monitored every 3 months: the employer has to send in a written report on my status. My psychologist has to send in a report as well and I see her every 3 months. This is only for 1 year then that damn warning with stipulations comes off my license. I'm not saying it has been easy finding a job but I did work for 6 months until the facility closed. I wish you the best of luck

[phlox]

coladot. so you are in Texas? And with Biploar Disorder you did not have to do TPAPN? How did you get around it? because I am very upset by the thought of having to go through it. I have gone to every docor appt. scheduled, every 4-8 weeks for 12 years. I take my meds, I have the same pdoc and I am stable. Why should I have to make a phone call every morning to see if it is my day for a UA?

[phlox]

Did you have a lawyer?

[coladot]

The BON offered me that option but I chose not go thru TPAPN. So then they started an investigation which took almost a year. It kept going back and forth with the certified letters. Finally they wrote up a "Agreed Order" which I agreed to which stated all my stipulations. I am to inform any employer that I am bipolar and if hired give them a copy of the order. There is no way in hiding it b/c they will find out when they verify my license. An employer can even send in a written request to the BON to get a copy of the "Agreed Order". These will only b for 1 yr. I have a monitor assigned to me. My employer has to send her a written report every 3 months as well as my psychologist to inform her on my progress. I got clearance from my psychologist and psychiatrist before I reactivated my license. The board just wants to cover there butt by not putting the public in danger. I f I can answer anymore ???? send me a post. I hope this help.

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

I wish I had known how awful nurses are towards other nurses before I decided to finish my nursing degree.

These BON have offered no support from what I can see on these posts. I also wish I'd found this site before finishing my degree - I would have changed it.

Good luck to you all.

[phlox]

carolmaccus66 ...could you clarify? I can't make sense of your last post. Thanks.