Other jobs with a nursing degree?

[wish_me_luck]

Hi,

I want to know what the other options are for someone with a nursing degree but no license. Not a revoked license, just if someone were to be denied licensure for like an impairment (physical or mental). Can you get a Master's (in a health care field other than specifically nursing) and do something in that? Just curious. I am sure that's happened before but I don't see anything that really addresses no license due to impairment (not being an alcoholic or using drugs; but physical or mental impairment); only revoked license due to other things.

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

ok, so, update. I called the lovely board. I asked them about denial for a suicide attempt. They take it on a case by case basis. Nothing is an automatic denial; as long as you are in treatment for whatever disorder, they will take that into consideration and approve you. My heart has been mended. I think I might actually have a chance at the licensure after all. :)

And actually, the way she made it sound, I disclosed something that maybe I didn't have to. Oh well, better safe than sorry.

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

^Good. :) I kind of thought that you seemed awfully intent on making a mountain out of a molehill.

There's a great thread in this same forum dedicated to nurses with mood disorders. Drop on in, y'know?

(Personal side note, I really think that there's no reason to disclose a mental illness unless you have a forced commitment -- because that could possibly show up on a background check. I get that you wanted to be truthful but, like the person that you spoke to, there really is no particular reason to disclose a suicide attempt and presumably history of depression/anxiety. You're not an actively hallucinating schizophrenic.)

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I agree with dirtyhippiegirl. I would not have disclosed this to the Board in the first place. Not that you can go back in time and undisclose it, but in the future there's really no reason to. You said the question asked about any physical or mental impairments that would affect one's ability to be safe. I would have said no and let it be. I wouldn't necessarily view a history of depression or a suicide attempt as something that would affect a nurse's ability to safely care for her patients. Active substance abuse/alcoholism or untreated schizophrenia are things I'd place in that category. I'm of the mindset that I don't disclose anything unless absolutely necessary though- I have several medical diagnoses that I've never even disclosed to my mother!

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

Thanks. I think I may have misunderstood it to read do you have a mental illness/physical illness, which could interfere with your ability...I thought it was saying do you have a mental/physical illness? And then further explaining that if so, disclose because a mental illness could cause possible impairment. I don't know how to explain other than that.