Does your state require mental health reporting?

[wish_me_luck]

Hi,

This has been a common question here lately on AN. So, I started this thread in hopes that 50 people (plus DC, if there's a license for DC) from each of the 50 states, plus DC, could share whether there is a mental health/chemical dependency question and how it is worded. Please no repeats (the hope is that everyone can find their state and if/how the question is worded). Moderators, if this is against TOS, please remove. Use your own judgment and/or call your state board for further questions regarding the question and other questions on the application. I will start.

State: Virginia

Is there a question regarding mental illness/chemical dependency? Yes

How is it worded? "Do you have a mental, physical, or chemical dependency condition which could interfere with your current ability to practice nursing?" (I have asked the Board of Nursing to clarify and I was told that if you have a mental illness/chemical dependency, you must report. It is not an opinion question.)

Again, please no repeats. Virginia has been done.

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

State: New Hampshire

Is there a question regarding mental illness or chemical dependency? Yes.

How is it worded? " Do you have a mental or physical problem that makes you incompetent to provide nursing-related activities?"

" Have you previously or currently been impaired by or diverted any chemical substances that impaired your ability to practice that has not been annulled?"

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

State: New Jersey

Is there a question regarding mental illness or chemical dependency? Yes.

How is it worded? "Do you have a medical condition which in any way impairs or limits your ability to practice your profession with reasonable skill and safety?"

'“Medical Condition” includes physiological, mental or psychological conditions or disorders, such as, but not limited to orthopedic,

visual, speech and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental retardation, emotional or mental illness, specific learning disabilities, H.I.V. disease, tuberculosis, drug addiction

and alcoholism.'

'“Ability to practice as a nurse” is to be construed to include all of the following:

a. The cognitive capacity to exercise the reasonable judgments of a nurse, and to learn and keep abreast of

professional developments; and

b. The ability to communicate those judgments and related information to patients and other interested parties, with or without the

use of aids or devices, such as voice amplifiers; and

c. The physical capability to perform the duties of a nurse, with or without the use of aids or devices, such as

corrective lenses or hearing aids.'

There's also info./questions regarding chemical dependency and convictions/disciplinary action.

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

State: New Mexico

Is there a question regarding mental illness or chemical dependency? No.

How is it worded? No mental health question. Asks about convictions and discplinary action.

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

State: New York

Is there a question regarding mental illness or chemical dependency? No.

How is it worded? No question regarding mental illness or chemical dependency. Asks about convictions/disciplinary action.

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

State: Ohio

Is there a question regarding mental illness or chemical dependency? Yes

How is it worded? "Have you ever been found to be mentally ill or mentally incompetent by a probate court?"

"Within the last five years, have you been diagnosed with or have you been treated for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia,

paranoia, or any other psychotic disorder?"

"Have you, since attaining the age of eighteen or within the last five years, whichever period is shorter, been admitted to

a hospital or other facility for the treatment of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, paranoia, or any other psychotic disorder?"

Substance abuse questions follow these questions. Yes, Ohio asks about mental illness 3 times.

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

State: Oklahoma

Is there a question regarding mental illness or chemical dependency? No

How is it worded? It asks about convictions, disciplinary actions, and if you have ever been declared incompetent by judiciary system.

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

State: Rhode Island

Is there a question regarding mental illness or chemical dependency? No

How is it worded? No mental health questions. Asks about convictions and disciplinary actions.

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

State: South Carolina

Is there a question regarding mental illness or chemical dependency? Yes

How is it worded? "Have you developed any disease or condition, physical, mental, or emotional, that might interfere with your ability to competently and safely perform the essential functions of practice as a nurse?"

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

State: South Dakota

Is there a question regarding mental illness or chemical dependency? Yes

How is it worded? "Have you ever experienced a physical, emotional, or mental condition that has endangered the health or safety of persons entrusted in your care?"

"Have you ever been treated for abuse or misuse of any alcohol or chemical substance?"

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

State: Utah

Is there a question regarding mental illness or chemical dependency? Yes

How is it worded? "If you are licensed in the occupation/profession for which you are applying, would you pose a direct threat to yourself, to your patients or clients, or to the public health, safety, or welfare because of any circumstance or condition?"

"Have you ever been declared by any court of competent jurisdiction incompetent by reason of mental defect or disease and not restored?"

"Are you currently using or have you recently (within 90 days) used any drugs (including recreational drugs) without a valid prescription, the possession or distribution of which is unlawful under the Utah Controlled Substances Act or other applicable state or federal law?"

Then, there's conviction questions and the same question about drugs (referring to the past use vs current.)

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

State: Vermont

Is there a question regarding mental illness or chemical dependency? Yes

How is it worded? "Do you have a physical or mental condition or disorder which in any way impairs or limits your ability to practice this profession with reasonable skill and safety? If “Yes”, please have your provider submit a detailed statement explaining how you are able to practice safely. "

"Does your use of alcohol, drugs, or medications in any way impair or limit your ability to practice this profession with reasonable skill and safety? If “Yes”, provide a detailed written explanation."

"Are you currently addicted to or in any way dependent on, the use of alcohol or habit forming drugs? If “Yes”, provide a detailed written explanation."

It also asks about convictions, if you are in a monitoring program/peer assistance program, disciplinary actions.

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

State: Washington (state)

Is there a question regarding mental illness or chemical dependency? Yes

How is it worded? "Do you have a medical condition which in any way impairs or limits your ability to practice your profession with reasonable skill and safety? If yes, please attach explanation"

“Medical Condition” includes physiological, mental or psychological conditions or disorders, such as, but not limited to orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, intellectual disabilities, emotional or mental illness, specific learning disabilities, HIV disease, tuberculosis, drug addiction, and alcoholism.

"Do you currently (past two years) use chemical substance(s) in any way which impair or limit your ability to practice your profession with reasonable skill and safety? If yes, please explain"