Personal issues while a student?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jun 12, 2014

They cannot assist you with your disability unless you disclose that you need help and accommodations. Your school should have a disabilities resource office that you can consult with for assistance

saraCOS · Jun 12, 2014

First of all, holy cow, do you have a lot on your plate. I would explain all of this to your professors and come clean. If they think less of you, they are terrible people, but you would think a nursing instructor would be able to summon a degree of compassion for someone with an illness. Keep in mind that most people have some form of mental illness at some point, so you are probably not the first student going through this. Keep your documentation once you get your meds straightened out, just in case this comes into question. Also, like you said, some of this is under your explicit control, and regardless of your diagnosis, you are still responsible for it. Speaking up about a hardship is your responsibility, so not saying anything and suffering the consequences isn't discrimination. Your family issues don't help, does your mom know what you are going through? You should be able to say 'no' to taking on her job and going to school and dealing with bipolar problems.

I wish you luck and hope you get this all figured out. Take care of yourself!

ThatBigGuy · Jun 12, 2014

If your school has a counseling service, you need to go there ASAP. They will have the resources and tools to help guide you to receiving the proper attention you need to stay healthy.

Inform you professors ASAP. They will work with you if you are honest and up front with them from the beginning. Try keep a paper trail of counseling appointments, medical appointments, prescription refills, and email chains between you and the professors. Hopefully you'll never have to be in a position in which you need to prove you are sick, but you always have to CYA.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 12, 2014

They cannot assist you with your disability unless you disclose that you need help and accommodations. Your school should have a disabilities resource office that you can consult with for assistance

I agree with this 100%. At our school, you cannot claim a disability or illness prevented you from succeeding in class unless you disclose it upfront to the resource office. They have a counselor who works hand-in-hand with the instructors, so necessary accommodations can be made, depending on your individual circumstances. Go to your school's resource or disability office ASAP and see what can be done. Usually, you have to provide documented proof of your condition (which you should easily be able to obtain).

I'm sorry you're feeling overwhelmed right now. ((((HUGS)))) to you! Hang in there :)

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2014

You need to discuss this with your instructors/director and counseling services. You need assistance and they can get you what you need. If you don't tell them they can't help you.I

I am going to move this to the disability forum we have several members there who can help you.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jun 12, 2014

WOW do you have a lot on your plate. I honestly don't know how you're dealing with all of this without getting really sick, but if you don't start taking better care of yourself, you will.

As a fellow bipolar 1 sufferer, I normally don't recommend disclosing that information to anyone outside your circle of family and friends, but in your case, you MUST tell your school counselor and your instructors about your BP if you intend to finish nursing school. It would probably be better for you to drop out and re-enter at a later date when you are more stable; and speaking of stability, you also need to ensure that you have adequate amounts of medications as well.

That means being proactive and working with your doctors to make sure you have refills available. Withdrawals are terrible, and as you know, skipping meds is apt to de-stabilize you. Plus they're likely to lose their effectiveness if you stop taking them and then restart them. I'm on a couple of antipsychotics myself plus a few other BP meds, and if I forget to take them, I don't sleep.....and when I don't sleep, things get weird in a hurry.

With all you have going, you can't afford to miss even a single day of medication. But meds are only part of the picture; you also need to make time to see a therapist or counselor, if you have one. If you don't, perhaps your school has someone you can talk to. You are going through a program which is extremely stressful even for "earth people"; it's even more so for us!

Please talk to your advisor and faculty members about your bipolar and the difficulties you've been having. Yes, you are still responsible for your learning, and you still have to abide by the schedule and do the work you've been assigned. But your instructors can't help you if they don't know WHY you're struggling so badly.

Wishing you the very best. :yes:

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2014

WOW do you have a lot on your plate. I honestly don't know how you're dealing with all of this without getting really sick, but if you don't start taking better care of yourself, you will.
As a fellow bipolar 1 sufferer, I normally don't recommend disclosing that information to anyone outside your circle of family and friends, but in your case, you MUST tell your school counselor and your instructors about your BP if you intend to finish nursing school. It would probably be better for you to drop out and re-enter at a later date when you are more stable; and speaking of stability, you also need to ensure that you have adequate amounts of medications as well.
That means being proactive and working with your doctors to make sure you have refills available. Withdrawals are terrible, and as you know, skipping meds is apt to de-stabilize you. Plus they're likely to lose their effectiveness if you stop taking them and then restart them. I'm on a couple of antipsychotics myself plus a few other BP meds, and if I forget to take them, I don't sleep.....and when I don't sleep, things get weird in a hurry.
With all you have going, you can't afford to miss even a single day of medication. But meds are only part of the picture; you also need to make time to see a therapist or counselor, if you have one. If you don't, perhaps your school has someone you can talk to. You are going through a program which is extremely stressful even for "earth people"; it's even more so for us!
Please talk to your advisor and faculty members about your bipolar and the difficulties you've been having. Yes, you are still responsible for your learning, and you still have to abide by the schedule and do the work you've been assigned. But your instructors can't help you if they don't know WHY you're struggling so badly.
Wishing you the very best.

I KNEW you'd help...xo

openyourmind · Jun 12, 2014

I don't have any advice to give. Just wanted to wish you the best in your situation and let you know that you're not alone. I too have a few medical issues that I pray won't get the best of me while I'm in school.

Hopefully your program counselor is a good person and is understanding. Again, wishing you the best!

invisiblewounds · Jun 13, 2014

Hope it all works out. Be sure to post an update!

Physical or mental...one way or another...future "wound" nurse.

TriciaJ, RN · Jun 15, 2014

You have a lot on your plate for any student, never mind coping with a medical issue. I really think for you to succeed at nursing school (and being a nurse) managing your condition needs to be your top priority. If there's any way to dump your job, that would help. No impromptu favours for your mother, or anyone else. You just aren't in a position to take on any more.

You need to plan way into the future for maintaining your med supply; doctors do leave and can leave you in the lurch. Getting adequate rest is paramount. Most people can do anything; they just can't always do everything. You can succeed at being a nurse; one important thing we all have to learn is to take care of ourselves first.

Blessings.

Nursemaple · Jun 15, 2014

Sorry this is happening. It sounds like you need your mess before you can address your schoolwork effectively. Could you visit an ER or walk in clinic?