mousern

Hi Phoenix- To start with, funny enough I'm from Clovis, New Mexico! Anyway, I am also a bipolar (BPII). I'm not currently on meds and have learned to recognize my sxs fairly well after finally receiving my diagnosis in 1997. At the time I was in my MSN program and actually fell into a severe depression in the last semester of the program but managed to pull everything together enough to complete it. I have never made a secret of my illness once I was diagnosed. I allowed enough time and interaction with co-workers/supervisors and when I felt that they were ready I told them about my diagnosis. Everyone has been extremely supportive, especially when I was hospitalized in 1999 after a suicide attempt. I have found that high levels of stress aggravate my sxs and I also know that I am more likely to have severe depressions in the Spring. I go on meds in the Spring for about 4-6 months to help counteract these episodes. I've been on everything from TCA's to SSRI's to Lithium/Depakote/Topamax. Because of my cycling and sensitivity to high stress, I decided to take a job in 2005 that I enjoy very much and have wanted to do since I was in nursing school more that 16 years ago...I am a nursing instructor in an ADN program. I have self-admittedly excelled in all my previous jobs as a nurse, but recognized that I have to take care of myself first. My current job allows me breaks to recoup from any built up stress and is something I enjoy immensely...especially now that I've taken over the psych nursing classes. Who better that someone who has lived the experience to teach about it! For me, nursing was never a matter of how much I could earn. It was more of knowing that wherever my husband's job in the military took us, I could get a job. I did take a HUGE paycut from a GS federal nursing position to teach, but it's the best decision I could have ever made. Just because we have this illness doesn't mean we can't be successful, but it will ultimately be up to you as to whether you want to disclose your disorder or not. For me, openess is the key...for others it may not be. The thing is that you need to be able to recognize when things are not under control and client safety becomes an issue. That's one reason I chose not to practice as an NP after I graduated from my MSN program...teaching is more my speed anyway!