I will be starting classes soon to become an RN. Everyone says that nursing is a high stress career. How does having bipolar disorder fit into the equation? Can persons with BD thrive in that type of environment? If you are a nurse, and you have BD, how do you cope? What is a typical day like for you? Do you have any tips or advice on how to succeed?

[comicgeek007]

May I point you to the user BipolarNurse?

[Yoda]

I have been a RN in critical care since 1986 (paramedic before that). The most important thing for me is to have a consistent schedule. I worked straight night shift for nine years until my son was born. Then I worked 11am-11pm until my son started school and then I worked straight days. I would find it difficult to rotate shifts as some nurses do.

I am on SSDI now mostly because of ptsd (domestic violence that ended in tragedy) but I am wanting to start working a few night shifts on every other weekend. The soonest I can get my ACLS renewed is July unless there is a cancellation.

My bipolar isn't really an issue because my symptoms are controlled on my current meds and I had no problem renewing my license with the board of nursing.

Originally Posted by Yoda

I have been a RN in critical care since 1986 (paramedic before that). The most important thing for me is to have a consistent schedule. I worked straight night shift for nine years until my son was born. Then I worked 11am-11pm until my son started school and then I worked straight days. I would find it difficult to rotate shifts as some nurses do.

I am on SSDI now mostly because of ptsd (domestic violence that ended in tragedy) but I am wanting to start working a few night shifts on every other weekend. The soonest I can get my ACLS renewed is July unless there is a cancellation.

My bipolar isn't really an issue because my symptoms are controlled on my current meds and I had no problem renewing my license with the board of nursing.

Thank you for sharing Yoda, that was encouraging. At least I know it can be done.

Originally Posted by comicgeek007

May I point you to the user BipolarNurse?

Thank you comicgeek007

[BipolaRNurse]

Originally Posted by Chelbten

I will be starting classes soon to become an RN. Everyone says that nursing is a high stress career. How does having bipolar disorder fit into the equation? Can persons with BD thrive in that type of environment? If you are a nurse, and you have BD, how do you cope? What is a typical day like for you? Do you have any tips or advice on how to succeed?

Hello, and Welcome to PC!!

As another member mentioned, I'm one of the nurses with bipolar disorder here @ Psych Central.

The short answer to your questions is this: YES, you can be a nurse. I've been one for many years with varying degrees of success, depending on the job. I've worked the floor in hospitals and nursing homes, and I've worked at the middle-management and executive levels as well. The latter two were much harder on my mental health than long-term care, and when I lost my last executive nursing job due to a complete meltdown, I vowed I'd never do it again.

Now I'm going to be starting back at the nursing home where I was most content as a nurse and where I'm respected by the staff and management, even though they know I'm bipolar and have to be medicated to function. Yes, nursing can be EXTREMELY stressful, and nursing school is no picnic either; but with proper treatment and attention to personal health habits, the OP should have little difficulty attaining her goals.

In other words.......GO FOR IT!!!

[Faraway tree]

My best mate is a bit mad and she works as a nurse (very successfully), she just gets a bit funny on night shift. So mainly she just takes morning or arvo shifts. I work in a hospital (not as a nurse) too and it's pretty good. I work on the psych ward even . The most annoying thing is trying to keep a good game face when I get a bit up or a bit down when I work with eight psychiatrists and a zillion psych nurses every day. Today and yesterday I've felt a bit flat (but fine) and had five people ask me if I was ok. Geez.

Anyway, you should do it. Bp just gives you more empathy and understanding and makes you a gret clinician. You just have to give yourself tlc along the way.

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

Hello, and Welcome to PC!!

As another member mentioned, I'm one of the nurses with bipolar disorder here @ Psych Central.

The short answer to your questions is this: YES, you can be a nurse. I've been one for many years with varying degrees of success, depending on the job. I've worked the floor in hospitals and nursing homes, and I've worked at the middle-management and executive levels as well. The latter two were much harder on my mental health than long-term care, and when I lost my last executive nursing job due to a complete meltdown, I vowed I'd never do it again.

Now I'm going to be starting back at the nursing home where I was most content as a nurse and where I'm respected by the staff and management, even though they know I'm bipolar and have to be medicated to function. Yes, nursing can be EXTREMELY stressful, and nursing school is no picnic either; but with proper treatment and attention to personal health habits, the OP should have little difficulty attaining her goals.

In other words.......GO FOR IT!!!

BipolaRNurse, thank you for sharing your experiences. I applaud you for being able to excel as a nurse, while having bipolar disorder. I admire you for being able to carve out a career path, from working the floor in hospitals and nursing homes, to functioning at an executive level. I just have to make sure that I find my niche, one where I can succeed and not jeopardize my health. Thanks also for the warnings and encouragement.

Originally Posted by Faraway tree

My best mate is a bit mad and she works as a nurse (very successfully), she just gets a bit funny on night shift. So mainly she just takes morning or arvo shifts. I work in a hospital (not as a nurse) too and it's pretty good. I work on the psych ward even . The most annoying thing is trying to keep a good game face when I get a bit up or a bit down when I work with eight psychiatrists and a zillion psych nurses every day. Today and yesterday I've felt a bit flat (but fine) and had five people ask me if I was ok. Geez.

Anyway, you should do it. Bp just gives you more empathy and understanding and makes you a gret clinician. You just have to give yourself tlc along the way.

Hi Faraway tree, thanks for the motivation One of my concerns after becoming a nurse is working shifts. I value my nights' sleep because missing continuous sleep at nights makes me more prone to episodes. Hopefully I will be able to have some amount of control over what shifts I get. Hope the rest of the day goes well for you.

[BipolaRNurse]

Yep, I'm the same way---cannot work nights, it throws off my medication schedule and predisposes me to mania. My pdoc and family have both forbidden it anyway, LOL!

Unfortunately, new nurses are often given night shifts, which CAN be done as long as you keep to the same schedule on your nights off. That's much easier said than done, but not impossible. Believe me, if you want to be a nurse bad enough, you can find a way to make it work for you.

Wishing you the very best.......hope you'll keep us posted on your progress.

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

Yep, I'm the same way---cannot work nights, it throws off my medication schedule and predisposes me to mania. My pdoc and family have both forbidden it anyway, LOL!

Unfortunately, new nurses are often given night shifts, which CAN be done as long as you keep to the same schedule on your nights off. That's much easier said than done, but not impossible. Believe me, if you want to be a nurse bad enough, you can find a way to make it work for you.

Wishing you the very best.......hope you'll keep us posted on your progress.

Thanks I will