r/bipolar • u/Common-Series8622 • Jul 23 '25

Living With Bipolar What kind of job do you have?

Anyone have bipolar 1, had hospitalisaions for mania, and still have a job or career? Or been able to get through university? Wondering what jobs work well with the needs we have

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u/MoonbeamPixies Bipolar + Comorbidities Jul 23 '25

I am a registered nurse. Its a stressful job and shifts are very long, but it allows me to work reduced hours (part time) and make full time money in comparison to the average job. Id be making exponentially more than average full time, but it feels sufficient for me with balancing my health and income. For example: I make around 50-60k a year part time, id be making around 80-90k full time.

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u/punkgirlvents Bipolar + Comorbidities Jul 23 '25

I’m thinking about going into nursing and I’m getting my CNA license in a couple months, typically i find if it’s stressful but i can leave it all at work then im fine, would you say thats true? My old job was not stressful but i constantly had to think about things outside of work and had HR problems so i quit since that felt like too much. I’m a little worried about the stress or that i might be forced to work overnights

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u/MoonbeamPixies Bipolar + Comorbidities Jul 23 '25

Being forced to work overnights is a tricky one. This is hospital dependent and demand dependent. Some areas only hire new graduates as night shift, while others are fairly open to working days if it is not a unit in high demand (such as pediatrics or labor and delivery). It is true that you are more likely to leave work at work. Nonetheless, the job is very physically and mentally exhausting, which is why I cannot work more than part time. You need several days to recuperate sleep wise and rest wise, and you have to be extremely cautious of getting enough sleep to not trigger a manic episode. I think shadowing/working as a CNA is a good way to test your body and see how you feel. Its not sunshine and rainbows, but it is what works best for me right now with what I have. There is a lot of job security, opportunities for advancement, I work in pediatrics which is significantly nicer than my previous RN job in adults, I have the choice to not answer the phone or pick up shifts, I find medicine very interesting and have several days off to recuperate.

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u/punkgirlvents Bipolar + Comorbidities Jul 23 '25

I really appreciate the answer thank you!!!

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u/MoonbeamPixies Bipolar + Comorbidities Jul 23 '25

Of course! :) im here if you have any more questions