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Discussion

Texas

I am applying for nursing school in Texas. If my doctor sends a letter to the Texas board of nursing saying I am stable and my work performance isn't affected by my disability from being bipolar, will the BON give me clearance or do they not allow anyone with mental illnesses to get licensed??

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    From what I understand, Texas does allow nurses with MI to be licensed. However, they may require you to participate in a nurse monitoring program called TPAPN, in which you must attend counseling, have random observed urine drug screens, and otherwise be treated like someone who has a DUI or diverted drugs. It is not pleasant and you have to pay for all the costs of the program, plus you may be limited in your choice of workplaces. I don't want to scare you off but I do want you to know what you could be getting yourself into. I hope some other nurses with experience with TPAPN will come along and give you a better idea of what to expect if you do have to enroll in the program.

    For what it's worth, I'm with you in the bipolar boat. I have type 1 and have had difficulties throughout my career because I went undiagnosed and untreated till I was near the end of it. Fortunately I was able to renew my nursing license after my diagnosis without having to go through a monitoring program. You may get lucky as well. I hope so. Best wishes!

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    Thank you so much for your response. All I have ever wanted to be was a nurse and if I have to go through TRAIN that is fine. I feel like my life is nursing!

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    TPAPN* not train. I just talked to a psychiatrist that specializes in adults and I am getting a second opinion because the psychiatrist I see now is a child psych. Long story. So I might not even be bipolar at all which I don't think I am. I really think I'm just depressed. Hoping for the best. Then I won't have to go through all the extra stuff.

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    The thing they will ask on the application is whether or not you've been diagnosed or treated for bipolar within the past five years, so even if you wind up being "un-diagnosed" with BP you may still have to disclose. That's where your doctor's letter will come in handy because he or she can explain the diagnosis and/or misdiagnosis of bipolar.

    A friendly word of warning: It is very easy to get into a habit of thinking one does not have bipolar when, in fact, they do. I can't count the number of times I had myself convinced that I was merely going through an existential crisis! It wasn't till I landed in the hospital and was re-diagnosed with bipolar 1 that I finally got it through my head that I really was ​sick, I wasn't imagining it, and I had to stop denying it. But that's me; your mileage may vary.

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    The thing they will ask on the application is whether or not you've been diagnosed or treated for bipolar within the past five years, so even if you wind up being "un-diagnosed" with BP you may still have to disclose. That's where your doctor's letter will come in handy because he or she can explain the diagnosis and/or misdiagnosis of bipolar.

    A friendly word of warning: It is very easy to get into a habit of thinking one does not have bipolar when, in fact, they do. I can't count the number of times I had myself convinced that I was merely going through an existential crisis! It wasn't till I landed in the hospital and was re-diagnosed with bipolar 1 that I finally got it through my head that I really was ​sick, I wasn't imagining it, and I had to stop denying it. But that's me; your mileage may vary.

    She is right. Even if your doctor says you don't have bipolar disorder any more you have to disclose it, because you were diagnosed with it. In fact, someone I went to nursing school got in trouble for lying to the TX BON for that. She went to renew her license & when she did she put that she didn't have bipolar disorder when she does. The board knows & will come after you. So always be honest.

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    Don't bother with the BON at this point. Your nursing school will do all the initial 'legwork'... including background checks, etc. so that you can participate in clinical training. This process was changed a few years back so students didn't get all the way through a program only to find out that they couldn't be licensed. Your school will be able to advise you on all the correct processes. You will have to fill out an attestation at the time you apply for license.. which will require you to disclose MI history.

    Best of luck to you.

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