Want to go to nursing school- anybody else out there with mental illness?

I want to return to school and become a nurse/midwife. I am doing well again but have suffered several breakdowns from not taking my medication. As long as I take my medication though, I am fine. I was wondering if there is anybody else out there who is a nurse and has mental illness- bipolar/ schizoaffective disorder. I know I can do it and will talk to an academic advisor at the nursing school of my choice. I want to become a nurse-midwife if possible. I know it will take me several years. I have a bachelor’s already in science and have done some healthcare work. I enjoy obstetrics since I did it before and did well at it. The problem I have is that I have not been in healthcare field for awhile due to my lack of motivation. I was apathetic for awhile because I was disillusioned from my disorder . I know now as long as I take my medication, I am fine. I am so happy to be pursuing this path! I will see if the school will consider me. Then, I will see what I can do!

Good for you, bpforever1!!!! We need more people with these illnesses in practice. You will be a better, more empathetic and caring provider because of it. You go!!!!!!!!!

I think there are other nurses who have sza and bipolar disorder. I am not going to be the first. The monthly shots are really doing me well. I am excited for once about my future!

I worked as an RN for near 40yr, and I found my own mental health issues were helpful for me in my work. Whether I worked in psych, med/sur, school, corrections, ob/gyn, it Always came in handy. Partly, I think because I was more likely to empathize with feelings/behaviors that some could not and dismissed (therefore interacting in a way that did not help) and I had confidence in people's ability to identify their own needs and to develop, with the team, their own goals etc. Also, with my mental health issues, I found nursing liberating with so many possibilities, things to learn, and the ability to move from one specialty to another. There are people in Every profession with MI.
And I can't tell you how Proud I was of the first person who phoned in to work (I was the facility supervisor in the moment) because they were in the midst of a panic attack. When I began you really had to pretend physical illness if you needed a day off. Times they are a changin' ENJOY! &struggleon

If you do pursue nursing, do continue your education after the basics, I recommend a Masters at least---you will want to have as much control over your own practice as possible. Midwifery is a good choice in that regard I think.

Thank you for the replies!! Yes, I will pursue a masters in midwifery after finishing a bachelor’s in nursing. I want as much education and training before I am ready to be on my own. I will do whatever is necessary to do my best!

Before I was diagnosed with bipolar 1/Schizoaffective disorder, I started pre-nursing at a local university. It all went well the first semester with Sociology and a class called "Aging to Infancy" about life course theory. Then came chemistry and anatomy and physiology- failed both! So I just quit going. Had I stayed and somehow been able to hack it, I would be a nurse by now. So I like your last post, @bpforever1 . It is very positive and enthusiastic!!

Wishing you luck

No reason you can't do it as long as you keep taking your meds as prescribed to manage your illness. Plenty of people take meds (for all different kinds of mental as well as physical problems) and succeed in their careers.

Best of luck to you!

I'm currently in nursing school.

I started college in 2014 and just got into nursing school last fall. I had to drop out last fall because psych reasons, but the director of the nursing program worked with me to save me a spot in the spring cohort. So I started again this past January, and have 2 more years after this semester.
Since starting college, I have dropped out 3 times and taken a year off. Plus too many psych hospitalizations, ED treatment centers, and ECT. But I'm back now, and I plan to stay back, no matter what. Not even a pandemic can make me fail or drop out again!
(I'm literally fighting everyday to keep this mindset, lol!)

Dealing with mental illness does not mean you are less of a human. It just means you have to fight a little harder to do things that may come easier to most other people. And it certainly doesn't have to mean you can't follow your dreams.

I hope you move forward with your dream and don't give up.
You can do this.
I know you can do this, because you do hard things everyday. People with mental illness are forced to do hard things everyday.

Go get em girl!

Keep saying you can! It does help. I have depression and I'm in a masters program. School wasn't easy. But in the end it will be worth every minute. I have grown in my degree programs. I started thinking I could, then it changed to what am I doing, but eventually it changed back to I got this. Take a close look at how you handle stress, get a therapist, talk it out. Having support has helped me to grow, both personally and professionally.

Remember your coping skills, take care of you. You and I can not help others without being able to take care of ourselves first.

Even if it gets hard, don't give up on your dream! Helping babies and their families will bring great joy. Remember the outcome. Learn and learn some more. You got this!