I am a nursing student and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder a few years ago. I have had a really hard time coping with this disorder, but with maturity and experience, I have grown to accept it and am getting better. I had initially wanted to go to medical school, but like nursing for its flexibility and great benefits. I would really like to help other people who have psychiatric illnesses. I feel like I have learned a great deal through my experiences and would be a good psychiatric nurse.
What do you think about someone with my diagnosis being a psychiatric nurse? I have definitely had my struggles but have also been determined to get and stay well. I have published several articles and a book I just wrote for students w/ psychiatric illnesses is at the printer right now. I really want to help others. I am so afraid that the nursing boards will deny me an RN license because I have a history of hospitalization for my illness. Do any of you have thoughts on this? I want to be the best nurse I can be for my patients and am hoping to eventually get an NP in psych.
Thank you so much in advance for reading this.