During interview for Psych RN, would it help or hurt to bring up . . .

[On The Way]

During interview for Psych RN, would it help or hurt to bring up that as a senior in high school 30 years ago I attempted suicide and stayed in a psychiatric hospital for a few days for observation?

I’m thinking that, on the one hand, it could increase my chances of being hired as I point out that I can empathize with depressed patients and also serve as a role model of someone who made it through. (Like drug counselors who’ve succeeded in getting off of drugs are preferred by drug addicts. J )

On the other hand, bringing this up may backfire as it might just make me look unstable, or it may be irrelevant (because perhaps RNs don’t even have enough verbal interaction with clients that this would ever come up—i.e. in-depth discussions with clients is outside of RN job classification), or bringing up personal details might be a “no-no” no matter how much it might seem relevant to help someone.

The facility I’m applying for has acute, in-patient, and day programs for both adults and adolescents.

Any tips on this issue?

Also, a similar question: Would it help or hurt to bring up that I am going to continue going to school to become clinical psychologist?

Possible pros: Shows that I care about this field and want to stay in it.

Possible cons: Interviewer might be worried that school would be more important than job. Interviewer might be worried that I would step out of defined range of RN job classification. (Which at this point I'm not even exactly sure what that is.)

Any tips on this 2nd question?

Thanks all to taking the time to look at this post. I will check it throughout today and rest of week.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Before I went to NP school I was the manager for a behavioral health unit for three years or so....

I have hired a few staff members with a history of psychiatric treatment.

I would not say anything other than perhaps a brief mention of the fact that your life experience gives you some insight into what patients experience on a unit.

I would not ask anyone about their personal medical history above that which is legally allowed. Plus, interviewing a nurse who spends 30 minutes detailing their own psych history during the interview is a HUGE red flag (I actually had that happen once!)

I would definitely mention the fact that you are going to be in school. I like employees who value education; and I also like to know that there is something BIG going on in your life that may impact your schedule (or your stress level) at some points. What I would be looking for from you during your interview is how YOU going to school is going to contribute to the unit. So make your going to school while working a positive... ex "I'm going to school so I'll have easy access to interesting research articles that I like to share with coworkers." or "I don't mind working that extra Sunday next week so that I can attend a study group on Monday."

Excellent points. I'm fine with a candidate alluding to life experiences that create a greater professional depth, but don't want to feel like I'm doing therapy with them!

And school ambitions are fine, but I will be then asking about time frames. If you plan to be gone in a year or two, then I'd rather hire and orient someone who's more likely to stay a longer period.

I guess it's best to hire a few go getters and a few rock solid, high performing, worker bees to balance it all out.