Nurse with bipolar disorder or adhd?

JenICURN · Apr 6, 2007

I'm not sure what kind of action could be taken against a nurse with bipolar or ADHD--mind talking about what you've gone through?

For the record, I have bipolar and OCD.

bill4745, RN · Apr 6, 2007

I probably meet the criteria for ADD, and (half serious,half joking) think it fits well with ER nursing.

LUXOR21 · Apr 6, 2007

Hello-

I have bipolar disorder and have been accepted to nursing school. I am hesitant to get the physical because it wants you to state mental illness. I am afraid to do this because there is so much stigma attached.

I worry all the time if I this will make them alter their decision or if I can get the Board license.

Bottom line----I just completed a Bachelor of Science degree and took a full-time load on evenings and weekends. I did well and at the same time am married and raising two children and worked 40 hours a week while doing the aforementioned.

I know I will be a good nursing student and a quality nurse but I do wonder if I would be wasting my time in school if I can't get a license because of this or if a potential employer would not hire me because of this.

I was diagnosed with mild bipolar two years ago. I take my meds daily and have been doing fine. As you can see from the above statements this illness has not stopped me from doing anything I have wanted to do. I hope it does not stop me now. Please post anything about this subject. I look forward to hearing what you have to say!

Mandylou · Apr 6, 2007

My mom has both and had to leave the nursing field. She went back to school and is getting ready to graduate with her degree in sociology.

Trauma Columnist · Apr 6, 2007

Like with any chronic illness, if you are stable on your meds and have insight into your disease, you can be successful with many chronic disease processes. Good luck.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Apr 6, 2007

I work with a nurse friend who has bipolar disorder, and honestly, I have to say she is one of the best nurses on our floor. She has helped educate a lot of staff on what goes on in the mind of a person w/ the disorder, as she is very open about it.

sphinx, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2007

I have bipolar disorder. The only job related issues I have ever had were from before I was properly diagnosed: I was having some serious troubles and had too many call ins and was let go from my first nursing job. After that, I started to get some real help, and was eventually diagnosed and properly treated. Nobody would guess I have bipolar disorder now.

Melina · Apr 8, 2007

Hello-
I have bipolar disorder and have been accepted to nursing school. I am hesitant to get the physical because it wants you to state mental illness. I am afraid to do this because there is so much stigma attached.
I worry all the time if I this will make them alter their decision or if I can get the Board license.

I spoke to the Colo BoN when I was a freshman, and there is a form my doctor has to fill out stating that my medical condition will not affect my nursing performance. You should check with your state. I don't plan on disclosing it to employers because it doesn't affect my performance.

As for the physical, remember that you are protected under the ADA, and the school just wants to make sure you are safe to work with patients. Our school only asked if we had mental illness that would prevent us from completing our nursing duties. Does your school just flat-out ask you to disclose?

I actually wrote about my own struggle with bipolar in my admission essay to Regis, because the experience has a lot to do with why I chose nursing. I think there are a lot more of us out there than you think, but you are right, there is still a lot of stigma.

~Mel

angel008 · May 13, 2008

you have done well so far...dont think about it and just be postive. look at this illness from a positive point of view, think that you would be able to really empathise with a bipolar patient than any ordinary nurse. Try and take the good things out of it and lean not on your own understanding but on GOD.

im religious so i hope you dont mind on my last comment.

Good luck and all the best:smilecoffeecup:

behensley · May 13, 2008

I have ADD and haven't had any problems so far. As long as you stay on your meds and keep your condition in control, follow up with your care provider, and don't assume that you are "OK now, I will make an appt with my doc when I need to...", you'll be fine. I agree, check with your state board of nursing about their requirements. And as has been mentioned, you are protected by the ADA, use it if you need to.

handyrn · May 13, 2008

The funniest thing just happened to me. I was making my rounds on the internet-check my email, check my myspace page, then go to allnurses. The reason I go to allnurses last is because once I get here, I can spend HOURS here. Anyway, as I was logging in, I was thinking, "instead of going here, I should search the internet for bipolar support groups." I clicked on new posts and this was the first thread on the list. So is that divine intervention or what?

This morning I have an appointment with a psychologist. My very first one. My primary physician has been trying to get me to go for a couple of years and I have been resisting. This appointment is because he thinks I have bipolar. I have been treated for depression for many years, but I think I finally agree that it goes far beyond depression. I now agree that it probably is bipolar.

As far as work is concerned, I have been a nurse for 13 years and have made the circuit. I've been fired a few times and have quit more jobs than I can count. When I look back on the reasons I have quit they make no sense and I have regretted it most of the time. And when I have quit, I believe I was usually in a manic state.

So in less than 2 hours I will have my appt. I'm nervous and scared, but relieved. Hopefully this will help to even me out so there are not so many ups and downs.