Nurses struggling with mental illness

[Severina]

I was just wondering if there are any other nurses who struggle with mental illness. It seems to be one disability that is met with little tolerance and support in the medical field. I do have major co-morbid mental illness, Major depression/PTSD/DID, and have had many problems in my career. I have been in therapy and on meds for a long time and have worked very hard to be functional, and I have suprised myself by what I have been able to achieve. Currently, I am a hospice nurse in a residential setting and it seems that I have found my niche. It doesn't aggravate my illness too much. I am very busy at times and most of my job revolves in much cognitive thinking and decision making about the best ways to respond to a patient's emerging or existing symptoms, and in assessing patients to see where they are in the dying process, plus lots of educating to patients and families. My extensive personal trauma background has made me able to have a different perspective on death and don't see it as the scary thing that is SO SAD, that a lot of people do. Plus, because of the things that I have been through, I am more able to be compassionate and understanding of patients and their fears. I especially do well with patients with existing mental illness or lots of anxiety. I notice that a lot of nurses have little tolerance for a patients anxiety and are not willing to take the extra time to walk them through things and provide the extra reassurance that they need.

Yes, there are some nursing jobs that I don't think I would be able to do because of the fast on the spot life and death action necessary. ER and Trauma/Burn are pretty much out for me. But thats OK. A lot of nurses couldn't handle doing what I do either for their own reasons. We are all suited to certain things.

Having mental illness doesn't automatically make you unsuited for the nursing profession. Even though I have heard many times, "what are you doing here?" "Shouldn't you be doing something else, less stressful?"

I am here and am doing the thing I am suited for. Yes sometimes I have to take time off due to my illness, but its no different than somone who has flare ups of a chronic physical illness like lupus, chronic fatigue, or fibromyalgia.

I would like to know how other nurses have coped with their own illness and their nursing careers.

Severina

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

Hey, it is a good thing I haven't suffered a manic or depressive episode in the last eleven years. I wouldn't be able to get my Florida license, if I wanted one. This state has more penny anti rules then a dog has fleas. And they charge big bucks just to get licensed in this darn state. I wonder when they are going to come up with the moving violation fines, like Virginia has?

Woody:balloons:

WOW:trout:

[woody62, RN]

WOW:trout:

Know anyone who want's to adopted me and move me back up to God's country

Woody:balloons:

[amzyRN]

I looked up Florida's application. Yes, they do ask about mental health problems. And there is no law or rule against them doing it. The ADA protects you from employers, it does nothing to

protect you from licensing agencies. And employer can ask about pre-existing problems when they hire you and have you undergo their physical. And failure to disclose is a reason for termination.

Woody:balloons:

Are you sure, b/c I checked out the ADA and it states that licensing agencies are prevented from discriminating based on disability.

J

[woody62, RN]

Are you sure, b/c I checked out the ADA and it states that licensing agencies are prevented from discriminating based on disability.

J

Licensing boards can ask for the information. If you are under current treatment and your mental illness is such that it interferes with your ability to function as a nurse, a license can be refused. You can file a complaint with the ADA but it is very unlikely that you will be successful. If your own psychiatrist has said you may harm yourself or others, the BON is obligated not to grant you a license or renew your license until you are cleared for work. Most boards do not care if you have not been hospitalized in more then five years. Five years seems to be the magic number. You can be taking medication and not be refused, as long as you are not showing any signs of active illness.

Everyone thinks that everyone is protected by the ADA. Many are but they are very careful as to who they protect and under what circumstances. You cannot be asked about mental or physical problems prior to being offered a position. But once you are hired, your employer has the right to ask about any past medical conditions and any limitations they may have on your ability to function. And they then have the right to fire you. You are on probation, remember.

I applied for a position in the tricity area of upstate New York. I was hired and sent for a physical. When I shared my limitations with them, they suddenly told me, they had someone else who was better qualified for the position. I tried filing a complaint with the ADA. No luck. They hadn't withdrawn their offer because of my limitations but because they suddenly had someone better-right.

Woody:balloons:

[amzyRN]

Licensing boards can ask for the information. If you are under current treatment and your mental illness is such that it interferes with your ability to function as a nurse, a license can be refused. You can file a complaint with the ADA but it is very unlikely that you will be successful. If your own psychiatrist has said you may harm yourself or others, the BON is obligated not to grant you a license or renew your license until you are cleared for work. Most boards do not care if you have not been hospitalized in more then five years. Five years seems to be the magic number. You can be taking medication and not be refused, as long as you are not showing any signs of active illness.

Everyone thinks that everyone is protected by the ADA. Many are but they are very careful as to who they protect and under what circumstances. You cannot be asked about mental or physical problems prior to being offered a position. But once you are hired, your employer has the right to ask about any past medical conditions and any limitations they may have on your ability to function. And they then have the right to fire you. You are on probation, remember.

I applied for a position in the tricity area of upstate New York. I was hired and sent for a physical. When I shared my limitations with them, they suddenly told me, they had someone else who was better qualified for the position. I tried filing a complaint with the ADA. No luck. They hadn't withdrawn their offer because of my limitations but because they suddenly had someone better-right.

Woody:balloons:

I'm here in CA and the BON/BRN doesn't ask about disabilities and in fact they offer accomodations for test takers with disabilities. And workers here are protected by the ADA also. Maybe it has to do with a persons location in the country. I'm sorry that you were discriminated against. That is terrible. Maybe you should have sued them? That takes a lot of time though. Thanks for the info and it's disappointing that disabled persons are not fully protected throughout the US. For anyone having problems though, I'd seriously consider getting a lawyer. Sometimes that can make a big difference,

J

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

Know anyone who want's to adopted me and move me back up to God's country

Woody:balloons:

Ahhhhhh Woody,

U know I'd take ya! River towns are fun!

[woody62, RN]

I'm here in CA and the BON/BRN doesn't ask about disabilities and in fact they offer accomodations for test takers with disabilities. And workers here are protected by the ADA also. Maybe it has to do with a persons location in the country. I'm sorry that you were discriminated against. That is terrible. Maybe you should have sued them? That takes a lot of time though. Thanks for the info and it's disappointing that disabled persons are not fully protected throughout the US. For anyone having problems though, I'd seriously consider getting a lawyer. Sometimes that can make a big difference,

J

It varies from state to state, as far as BON are concerned. And Florida is funny. They ask about seizure disorders for drivers licenses but not unless you have had one in the past two years. New York wants to know if you have ever had a seizure and require a clearance from a neurologist to get a driver's license. And they monitor you for two years. But then, if you haven't had a seizure, you are off the hook, as far as they are concerned.

I haven't even looked for a job down here in Florida. Between their price to reactivate my license and their twelve hour shifts, no thank you. I was in grad school when I was bumped from the job. It just wasn't worth it to sue them. California has always been known to be more open toward the handicapped. Florida had a good rehab law, in the 80's, with WC injures. Unfortunately that all changed.

The Americans with Disability Act was a great thing for this country. But we still have a long way to go. Our BON, our employers, our schools and nursing programs all have different reactions to people with mental illness. There are those that believe any history of a mental illness marks someone for the rest of their life. There are those of our peers that believe, because we are nurses, we know how to 'fix' ourselves. And seem to resent us a great deal when we can't. And there are some of our peers who apparently hold any previous mental health problem against us, as I have recently had the experience of. But I am not letting that keep me from posting.

We have to deal with our own problems. We also have to stand up for our rights. We have to use the laws to protect ourselves and others, as well as our patients. And we have to think positive about ourselves. We were once sick, some may still be ill, but we all are on the road to better health, emotional, mental or physical. We all need to support one another.

Woody:balloons:

[DaFreak71]

In February of this year I had to withdraw from nursing school because I was incapacitated by bipolar I disorder. I had never been diagnosed with until Feb. while I was in the throes of a severe manic episode. I am lucky that my program director and instructors have been very supportive of me. I will be rejoining the program in January, even though I will have different classmates. The combination of a devoted and supportive husband, therapy, and a really good medication combination has taken me from being hospitalized to being stable.

The med combo I take is: Lamictal, Valium, Seroquel PRN, and recently a newer anti-depressant--EMSAM. EMSAM is a transdermal patch for drug resistant depression. After four days my life was literally transformed. I went from being on the brink of being hospitalized (again) to being absolutely stable. I haven't had a manic episode since march.

I am scared to return to nursing school, but I only have two semesters left. I don't worry about my potential to be a great nurse, as long as I get enough sleep, take my meds, continue therapy, etc. I live in Mississippi and I have no idea if the BON asks questions about mental history, but I am afraid of that too.

Thank you Severina for being so brave to start this thread! The stigma is alive and well and it took a great deal of courage to bring up the topic. Seeing 45 pages of posts is also reassuring. LOL.

Adri

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

It varies from state to state, as far as BON are concerned. And Florida is funny. They ask about seizure disorders for drivers licenses but not unless you have had one in the past two years. New York wants to know if you have ever had a seizure and require a clearance from a neurologist to get a driver's license. And they monitor you for two years. But then, if you haven't had a seizure, you are off the hook, as far as they are concerned.

I haven't even looked for a job down here in Florida. Between their price to reactivate my license and their twelve hour shifts, no thank you. I was in grad school when I was bumped from the job. It just wasn't worth it to sue them. California has always been known to be more open toward the handicapped. Florida had a good rehab law, in the 80's, with WC injures. Unfortunately that all changed.

The Americans with Disability Act was a great thing for this country. But we still have a long way to go. Our BON, our employers, our schools and nursing programs all have different reactions to people with mental illness. There are those that believe any history of a mental illness marks someone for the rest of their life. There are those of our peers that believe, because we are nurses, we know how to 'fix' ourselves. And seem to resent us a great deal when we can't. And there are some of our peers who apparently hold any previous mental health problem against us, as I have recently had the experience of. But I am not letting that keep me from posting.

We have to deal with our own problems. We also have to stand up for our rights. We have to use the laws to protect ourselves and others, as well as our patients. And we have to think positive about ourselves. We were once sick, some may still be ill, but we all are on the road to better health, emotional, mental or physical. We all need to support one another.

Woody:balloons:

Woody if I knew how i would post this in the disabilities forum. Sharona

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

In February of this year I had to withdraw from nursing school because I was incapacitated by bipolar I disorder. I had never been diagnosed with until Feb. while I was in the throes of a severe manic episode. I am lucky that my program director and instructors have been very supportive of me. I will be rejoining the program in January, even though I will have different classmates. The combination of a devoted and supportive husband, therapy, and a really good medication combination has taken me from being hospitalized to being stable.

The med combo I take is: Lamictal, Valium, Seroquel PRN, and recently a newer anti-depressant--EMSAM. EMSAM is a transdermal patch for drug resistant depression. After four days my life was literally transformed. I went from being on the brink of being hospitalized (again) to being absolutely stable. I haven't had a manic episode since march.

I am scared to return to nursing school, but I only have two semesters left. I don't worry about my potential to be a great nurse, as long as I get enough sleep, take my meds, continue therapy, etc. I live in Mississippi and I have no idea if the BON asks questions about mental history, but I am afraid of that too.

Thank you Severina for being so brave to start this thread! The stigma is alive and well and it took a great deal of courage to bring up the topic. Seeing 45 pages of posts is also reassuring. LOL.

Adri

I too have some of the same fears. best of luck to you!:balloons:

[curly73, BSN, RN]

I have realised over my 15yrs of nursing that everyone feels out of touch with reality on the night shift, check out with other nurses you may know or have a chance to work with. I have many times had giggling hysterics with my collegues at 4am over something not really that funny! I ensure I double and triple check my planned list of pt activities cause its easy to miss something.

You have to practice good self care when you're on nights like eating healthy meals at regular intervals even if eating breakfast at 2am feels wierd, and then i try resting as much as you can when you're off and still doing some exercise the week I do night shift if at a reduced intensity and duration.

When I finish night shift I try to have some facial direct sun time on my days off to help with the reset of the internal clock. Kind of like jet lag treatment really.

Messing with the normal rhythm of being awake when you should normally be asleep is what makes the night shift difficult as your thinking processes are somewhat challenged and I figure is why so many mistakes that would not normally be made can happen at 2am. And daytime sleeping after night shift is never as restful as nightime sleep so give yourself a chance to catch up once you finish night shift.

[woody62, RN]

In February of this year I had to withdraw from nursing school because I was incapacitated by bipolar I disorder. I had never been diagnosed with until Feb. while I was in the throes of a severe manic episode. I am lucky that my program director and instructors have been very supportive of me. I will be rejoining the program in January, even though I will have different classmates. The combination of a devoted and supportive husband, therapy, and a really good medication combination has taken me from being hospitalized to being stable.

The med combo I take is: Lamictal, Valium, Seroquel PRN, and recently a newer anti-depressant--EMSAM. EMSAM is a transdermal patch for drug resistant depression. After four days my life was literally transformed. I went from being on the brink of being hospitalized (again) to being absolutely stable. I haven't had a manic episode since march.

I am scared to return to nursing school, but I only have two semesters left. I don't worry about my potential to be a great nurse, as long as I get enough sleep, take my meds, continue therapy, etc. I live in Mississippi and I have no idea if the BON asks questions about mental history, but I am afraid of that too.

Thank you Severina for being so brave to start this thread! The stigma is alive and well and it took a great deal of courage to bring up the topic. Seeing 45 pages of posts is also reassuring. LOL.

Adri

I am happy that you got the help that you needed. And that you have gotten the support from your husband and your program.

Best wishes and good health.

Woody:balloons: