Getting into nursing school with a mental illness? Is it going to be possible?

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Hi There!. I registered for this board a while ago but haven't really posted quite yet. I am now at the point where I have a very important question and nursing school is a very big reality now. Here's my question :)

Ever since I was little, I have wanted a career in nursing. I was diagnosed with leukemia when I was 4 and that is where it stems from. My long term goal is to eventually become an RN but for now and what I feel is best for me is to start out a little slower, so I applied at a school near where I live to become a CNA. My focus is to become a CNA, then become an LPN and then finally go for my RN. I couldn't be more excited because on Halloween, I received a letter in the mail letting me know I passed my TABE test and that I meet the necessary scores to get into the CNA program!. I just couldn't stop smiling all night!. I had to gather some more information, get a physical, get references, etc.... so going furthur right away wasn't an option because I had to wait for all those things, but yesterday I finally had my phsyical and that was the last thing I needed before I could go back in and officially apply to get into the classes. I'm just waiting for my TB test to be read tomorrow and my blood work to come back to check my immunity to chicken pox (which I had when I was 5 so that should come back fine) and then I will be able to go in and get my appointment for my "nursing school interview" (which is one thing they require on their part I guess). Although when I had my physical yesterday, something I didn't think of came up and now it has me a little worried and that is where my question comes in.

I am currently under the care of a psychiatrist. I have been diagnosed with anxiety and OCD and am on two medications. One of the medications is actually an anti-psychotic but it is the only medication that gives me such good results. My doctor has calmed my fears so many times because she will say that I'm not or am I even close to being psychotic, it's just the medication that works for me. I am also on an anti-depressant which works pretty good for me as well. My fear is that when I go in for my nursing interview, they will see this information and not accept me due to my mental illnesses. My primary doctor who I saw yesterday put my mind to ease saying that that should in no way be or cause any problem.....but I'm still so worried. I was so excited and so ready for this and now I'm worried that these things will be the reason I can't become a nurse.

If you can share you opinions or anything in regards to this post, it would be greatly appreciated!. Thank you so much!.

Specializes in Med Surg.
So happy to see this thread. I've been terrified of the mental illness/getting into school issue. I don't feel any special need to disclose it, but it's there in my medical records. When those records go to university health services, they'll see i've been on psych meds since 2005. They might not see the whole crazy laundry list of dxs (or is it the laundry list of crazy dxs?), but they'll see the latest version (at the moment, bipolar II, OCPD, and schizotypal PD).

Your school requires seven years of medical history? That's a little extreme... My school required a physical that said I was healthy enough to attend. Period.

Also, I turned in one month of pharmacy records when I did my drug screening.

Again, why volunteer all of this additional information?

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PCP had no idea that psychiatrist said I didn't need it. For a long time, I still took the medication; but, after psychiatrists consistently/constantly telling me I don't need it--I stopped. I don't think it was right or the psychiatrist's place to determine the need for medication/lack of medication for epilepsy, especially without neurological assessment--rather dangerous, in my opinion. No tapering either, just told to stop--I don't know how to slowly taper someone off of medication, that's the physician's job that wasn't done. But, it is what it is and that's what happened. NP wasn't too pleased when I went for a visit recently and said that when I stopped taking the medication, I should have made an appointment then also.

I think psychiatry providers often forget that patients with mental health conditions still have bodies; therefore, can still have physical health conditions in addition to psychiatric illness.

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"Antipsychotics" are used for many conditions besides psychosis...if that is what helps you, don't be afraid of the medication's classification.

Don't give up!

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
"Antipsychotics" are used for many conditions besides psychosis...if that is what helps you, don't be afraid of the medication's classification.

Don't give up!

Yes, a lot of people get hung up on that term. I certainly did at first when my doctor prescribed one for me: "You're putting me on a WHAT??!!" :eek: But APs are a tool like any other in the toolbox of psychiatric medications, and sometimes it's the thing that makes a patient's other meds work better.

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Hello, I am curious what medication do you take for your OCD because I have OCD as well and continue to get intrusive thoughts that cause me so much anxiety and grief upon my soul... In addition, I'm also in nursing school as well and they are quite disturbing and interfering with my studies.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
Hello, I am curious what medication do you take for your OCD because I have OCD as well and continue to get intrusive thoughts that cause me so much anxiety and grief upon my soul... In addition, I'm also in nursing school as well and they are quite disturbing and interfering with my studies.

Hello, and Welcome to Allnurses!

I'm sorry you are in such distress. Please see your mental health provider as soon as possible, as he or she is the best person to advise you. You may need meds or a med adjustment to get you better relief.

Wishing you well. ((((HUGS))))

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Yes it is possible to go to nursing school with a mental illness, to graduate and get licensed however if your illness is reported either by you, someone who knows you, your doctor or anyone else who may have issue with this, or if you have prior hospitalizations, or if their is a complaint against you for any reason and this is revealed, you will be put into a monitoring program from anywhere from 2-5 years with reporting from your psychiatrist, therapist and be required to submit to random drug screens at your expense anywhere from 1-12 times per month, you will be required to send in monthly reports, sign your privacy consent away and also be required to pay for administrative fees every year to pay for participation in the program...Sorry chris you are having intrusive thoughts which sometimes be a result of a change in medication, withdrawal of one or a side effect of one. Blocking out thoughts or changing them is sometimes more beneficial than medication at times. It was put to me at one point that we get 60,000 thoughts a day and a way to assist with intrusive thoughts is to just watch them, notice them as if you are a bystander, and imagine that they are on a conveyer belt just dropping off the end...distraction is also helpful...it is common under the stress of nursing school to experience anxiety as to the nature of the stress involved, the expectations and the pressure related to exceed and pass...remember that intrusive thoughts are just that, harmless, bothersome, etc....we do have control over what we think about at times. Norman Vincent Peale said once "Change your thoughts- change your world"

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I like the visual on the intrusive thoughts, BeOne77. I use a similar tactic, visualizing a huge STOP sign and concentrating on the letters for a minute or so, however long it takes to change focus. My thoughts race pretty much all the time, so it doesn't take long for the intrusive ones to go away.

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Yes there is reason to be afraid of a medications classification such as an antipsychotic.

1) There are several physical problems as a result of taking any AP, such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, kidney disease, cardiac arrest, insomnia, eye issues, fibromyalgia, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, abnormal muscle movements, tardive dyskinesia, NMS, serotonin syndrome, CNS damage and depletion of GABA receptors and many other side effects too long to list but can be found on RXlist.com..

2) There are reports, studies and clinical trials that report that people who take AP's have more incidences of rehospitalization and more relapses than those treated with placebos..Incidences of psychosis are more common once on a AP and also there is a risk of psychosis in a withdrawal period. Not to mention long term disability

3) No there are not many conditions AP's are used for except for psychosis and sleep (Seroquel)

4) There is agreement now between many prominent psychiatrists that AP's should be used short term and that long term use can cause permanent disability.

5) Resulting Stigma, discrimination among others in society as well as medical discrimination and inability to receive life insurance.

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Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

If you don't have a mental illness before you get into nursing school, you most certainly will before you get out- it's mandatory. At to OCD-if that was a handicap in nursing, half the nurses I work with would be out of a job.

Seriously, I would be careful with the career path you described. Nursing, and nursing education are enormously stressful. Be aware that although your mental health issues may be in good control now-all the wheels may fall off your wagon when you start going through the gauntlet. If this is truely something you want- go ahead and try, but be sure to promise yourself if you find the pressure is compromising your health, you will put your own wellbeing first, even if it means giving up the goal of being a nurse. As to disclosure when applying to nursing school, as they said in Harry Potter "even in the wizarding world, hearing voices no one else can hear isn't a good sign" Not your problem, but the point being: Keep as much of your health history to yourself as you can without lying. This is a good rule everywhere, not just when applying to nursing school.

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Specializes in Med Surg.

Yes you can. I went through nursing school with two different people with mental illnesses (Bipolar & anxiety disorder). I would recommend you go through a 4 year program and take advantage of all your resources (tutors, advisors, etc). The best thing about nursing instructors is that they understand mental illnesses and are usually very willing to work with you.

I say go through a 4 year program because I completed a MEPN program and it was so intense that these students I went to school with are still attempting to finish because it took a high emotional toll on them because of how intense the program was-- to clarify I personally believe MEPN programs take an emotional toll on anyone going through them. Also no matter what program you choose or where you go please make sure you have a strong support system :) Important for every nursing student!

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