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Sep 18, 2013, 05:47 PM
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Member Since: Mar 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 1,486
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse
From a nurse who's been in healthcare for 20 years:
Don't do it. It IS insanely stressful, and unless you are very strict with yourself regarding your sleep schedule, eating well, exercising and taking your medications, working in this field will de-stabilize you. I used to have what was called "subthreshold" bipolar disorder, but over the years it's become more and more of an issue for me and it finally blew up my career earlier this year.
That said......even if I'd known that my subclinical symptoms would eventually develop into a raging case of BP 1 because of unremitting stress, I probably would've become a nurse anyway. It's what I always wanted to do, and I've seldom regretted it even though I'm now partially disabled due to BP, and can only work in a limited role.
So, I'm not going to tell you that you CAN'T be an EMT, or SHOULDN'T be one......only that working in healthcare is not the best choice for someone with the challenges of a mental illness. Whatever you do, I wish you the best of luck!  |
I get what you're saying, but especially because I know you were in a managerial position when things got really ugly. A few years ago and for two years I was in an extremely stressful managerial position in healthcare and it did destabilize me. It was too much. Long hours, constantly putting out fires, always one way or another on call, all the politics. So I now know as embarrassing as it is for me (and my ego) to admit, I shouldn't be in that position.
But now that I work directly with patients again, and I have a regular schedule, the stress has dropped considerable, hugely really, and I also find it far more fulfilling.
So I really think it depends on what you do in healthcare. I know regular hours for me has been essential. I hope that as an EMT -OP- you can manage to get a more or less regular schedule; even if it may mean less pay than some of your colleagues, it may end up being better for your mental health.
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