Can a person who is bipolar work in healthcare?
Amy B asked:
I have a friend who has the diagnosis of “Bipolar Non-otherwise specified.” She wants to become a mental health nurse to help people. Her psychiatrist said it is fine for her to do that–she has been taking her meds for over 3 years w/o any manic problems or issues. She has been in school since 2005 and doing great. Her therapist advised not to mention this condition to her school– because people w/ mental illnesses usually get discriminated against. Just wondering if she should continue or will she have a hard time w/ the state boards allowing her to practice as a nurse?
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I have a friend who has the diagnosis of “Bipolar Non-otherwise specified.” She wants to become a mental health nurse to help people. Her psychiatrist said it is fine for her to do that–she has been taking her meds for over 3 years w/o any manic problems or issues. She has been in school since 2005 and doing great. Her therapist advised not to mention this condition to her school– because people w/ mental illnesses usually get discriminated against. Just wondering if she should continue or will she have a hard time w/ the state boards allowing her to practice as a nurse?
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October 1st, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Kansieo.com
As long as she continues on her meds no one should ever have to know. Especailly in the medical field. She doesn’t have to tell anyone about her medical problems…ever. It’s patient confidentiality and thats being enforced more and more. I know plenty of Bipolar people in my field
She’ll be just fine.
October 3rd, 2009 at 1:11 am
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I’m sure they can as long as they take there meds
October 4th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
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Hello,
I am an R.N. and I am not aware of any “laws” that say a person with a mental health disorder can not practice as a nurse. However, I do agree with her therapist. People in the school may look differently at her once they find out. It is sad to say that people can be very discriminating. Becoming a nurse requires that you earn respect of others. Unfortunately, telling them the truth may hurt her. I think that it is none of their business and she should only tell them if she thinks the disorder might cause her problems with completing her work.
Good Luck
Angie
October 6th, 2009 at 10:02 am
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Of course she can! Lots of doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists are mentally ill! If she goes off her meds or has an episode, she won’t lose her job over it you know, she’ll probably be required to get help, but it’s certainly not legal to force her out of work.
October 8th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
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It’s actually the opposite …. it’s considered a disability and by law not only can she not be refused to be hired she actually would be first in line if she wanted to use the EOE laws. The law says she would have the right to be hired for any job she was qualified for over someone not disabled. And taking or not taking her meds has nothing to do with anything except that she might become sick. It’s probably not a good idea to tell people you have some medical problem or another especially mental illness. My point is it’s illegal to bar people from employment because of a disability/ mental illness unless that illness poses a danger as in rare cases like deep sea divers cant be skitsophrenic.
October 10th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
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i know a person who has bi pola disorder and works for mental health as a advicot for the clients, as long as you continue to take your medication and explain the situation they should undertsand as there iwll be times when you will have highs and lows that may reflect on your job, you may need some time off dueing these episodes, also stress can cause a manic episode and i thnk this is wonderful that she wants to take this step, anyone is capable of anything no matter what the disability or health issue is. strive for your goals!
October 11th, 2009 at 6:09 am
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She can, but advise her to tell no-one about her condition, or she will be treated differently than others, which she may not like.