Are mental health nurses allowed to have mental illnesses?!
Question: Are mental health nurses allowed to have mental illnesses!?
I've been thinking for a while of maybe becoming a mental health nurse (or an adult nurse)!. The trouble is that I'm Bipolar, and used to self harm so I have a very scarred arm!. What I'm wondering is, would they accept me to train/become a nurse with all that!? or would I be barred because of my illness!. I can see that my judgement could be said to be faulty when I'm ill and I could inadvertently be dangerous to patients!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
You can absolutely become a nurse!. Your experiences will no doubt make you a valuable addition to the medical team and a great mental health nurse!. You can not be discriminated against for your illness however it will be your responsibility to maintain your own mental health, provide healthy boundaries and put in place back-up in case you have an episode!. This could mean informing coworkers of your condition or maintaining a strong therapeutic relationship with your mental health provider!. You MUST take care of yourself in order to be able to care for others!. Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Many nurses have some mental health issues like anyone else!. I used to work with a female that never had to stay late if relief was late!. So I asked her what gives!? She said she had a doctors note to only work 1 shift a day do to her bipolar disorder!. She also said that for many years (20) she lived in the state hospital as a patient because she was so psychotic and on the wrong meds!. She had been working as a nurse for many years and was fairly up in age!. She also worked hospiceWww@Answer-Health@Com
The best way to get an accurate answer would be to speak with the admissions staff or director at a couple of nursing schools!. In some ways your personal experience could helpyou haelp others!. I would think that much would depend on your doctor's evaluation of how controlled your condition is now!. You might also want to look into the area of work that is called a peer counselor or peer specialist!. Here is a little info on one dsuch program http://www!.nami!.org/Template!.cfm!?Section!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I don't see why not, as long as you're aware of your condition, are on meds, and can recognize/control when your moods are swinging!. And as long as you're not hurting yourself still!. I think as long as you're sane and competent and can do a good job, you should be fine!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Well, the best people to ask are the ones in the medical shools!.
Phone a couple of schools up and ask them!.
Then you'll know!.
(I can see that you'd be a great nurse for this because you could really relate to what the patients are going through)
Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Phone a couple of schools up and ask them!.
Then you'll know!.
(I can see that you'd be a great nurse for this because you could really relate to what the patients are going through)
Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
It seems they -should- be allowed, for the sake of understanding their patients better (but don't know if they actually do)!. As long as you are demonstrated to be functional, it shouldn't matter what your diagnosis is!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
yesWww@Answer-Health@Com