I always struggled with anxiety and was managed with medications, but I was recently diagnosed with Bipolar 1, my past jobs included telephone triage nursing, AL floor nursing. I've never thought how my anxiety can impede on my nursing career, but when I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 I was dumbstruck and felt like my world ended. I know it's not the end of the world. I am about 9 months stable, I take my medications try to get enough sleep. Are there any nurses on here who are Bipolar and would like to give some support, I'd be interested to learn what position you hold in nursing. In the past I have always help jobs down for 2-3 years, but I was always casual, and in school full time. I would like to try bedside hospital nursing, is this even possible, I know shift work may be my downfall. I use to work as a nursing assistant in med surg and I almost quit nursing because of it. I was offered a case manager position and I am a little nervous about it. I worry what the future will bring, If I'll be able to work when a new episode arises.
I was diagnosed bipolar I several years before I went to nursing school. I was stable on my medications, and seeing my psychiatrist and a therapist regularly. I did fine throughout nursing school and haven't had any issues as a nurse. I worked 2 years in a cardiac surgery step down (as well as floating/covid floors) and now in a busy level 2 trauma ED for 7 months. There have been bumps like anyone could expect but none related to my diagnosis. I take my medication religiously, see my psychiatrist every 3-6 months, and my spouse is very supportive. I have not told any coworkers about my diagnosis.
tesa0414
11 Posts
I was diagnosed bipolar I several years before I went to nursing school. I was stable on my medications, and seeing my psychiatrist and a therapist regularly. I did fine throughout nursing school and haven't had any issues as a nurse. I worked 2 years in a cardiac surgery step down (as well as floating/covid floors) and now in a busy level 2 trauma ED for 7 months. There have been bumps like anyone could expect but none related to my diagnosis. I take my medication religiously, see my psychiatrist every 3-6 months, and my spouse is very supportive. I have not told any coworkers about my diagnosis.