Could I be rejected from a nursing program for being on Prozac?

[RainbowHead]

I'm just beginning college to start working on my prereqs.

I've had anxiety and depression since I was a teenager and my doctor just prescribed me with Prozac medication to better maintain it when it hits me.

I'm sure you have to go through a physical before going into the program to make sure everything is right with you and you have to state what kind of medications you are taking.

I'm only asking this because I was rejected by the Navy for this and I'm afraid nursing will be the same, and I don't want to waste my time working towards something I won't be able to achieve for something trivial about me instead of my experience and grades.

[Mrsveracity BSN, RN]

Have you decided what university you will be attending? I have never heard of someone being rejected for Prozac. The safest bet would be to call the university/college you plan on attending and ask. Most nursing programs require a physical, proof of immunization/cpr, a drug screen and background check. As far as the physical goes, my provider signed a form from the university which basically stated I was "ok" to go through the program. Good luck!!🙂

[Zyprexa_Ho]

Generally, they don't ask you if you're on any medicine (and I wouldn't volunteer that information to them), and if something makes you pop a positive at a lab, you show the lab a prescription and your reading sent to the school will read "negative."

[verene, MSN]

Because of the potential need to live through survival scenarios the military is MUCH stricter with medications and health conditions than nursing school is. (e.g. I am disqualified for military service because of food allergies.) Being on Prozac should be fine for nursing school. The only health disclose I've had to provide for nursing school is that I am up-to-date on all my immunizations.

[iShaybie, ADN]

You have a prescription--don't worry! They are testing for illegal substances.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

You have a prescription--don't worry! They are testing for illegal substances.

Misinformed, yet again. Your school may or may not ask what scripts you are taking. You don't have to reveal what you are taking. But truly, there are tons of nurses on antidepressants. The military is much more strict due to the nature of the job.

You will be drug tested. They are not just screening for illegal drugs. Anti anxiety and opioids are not illegal, it is required to show you have a legal script for those. I know my school screened for tricyclic anti depressants, so just make sure you have a valid script for any medications you put in your body. Many people don't understand and get confused on what they are tested for and what constitutes illegal substances as was the case over Ativan the other day. Prozac being an SSRI should not be tested for, but then again, you never know what gets added in each semester. So just have a valid script and you will be fine.