anti depressents

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If you are prescribed anti -depressents or ADD medicine does that mean you can't enter nursing school?

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.

No more than if you have diabetes and are on insulin or hypertension and are on beta blockers.

I have bipolar disorder, type II, as well as anxiety and some form of PTSD. I'm on a benzo and an anti-seizure medication. I was dx'ed only recently, more than halfway through nursing school, but it hasn't been a problem since. I've let my instructors know what's up and I haven't received any negative response, only support. I think it would be more of a problem or risk for practicing if you've got a psychiatric illness and are not on medication or seeking therapy, but everyone's got their own issues. 1 in 4 Americans has some form of diagnosable mental illness...so it's more prevalent than you think.

Hope this helps! :)

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

If being on anti-depressants or ADD meds meant you couldn't be a nurse, a fair number of us would not be allowed to be nurses! Depression is a disease, as is hypertension or diabetes, or lupus. Nobody would fault someone w/ diabetes for taking insulin, and I've never ever heard of a nursing school that would tell you you can't enter while taking meds. That would be considered discrimination.

If you have ADD and/or depression, you will likely do better in school on your meds than off them. :twocents: Good luck!

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I'm on Lexapro 20 mg QD and Xanax 0.5 mg TID PRN. I disclose on physicals. Never a problem.

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Yes, I agree, it shouldn't cause you any problems. But make sure you do disclose upon drug testing. Your only problem will arise if you do not disclose upon testing. Also, if you do not have MD order/script for your meds.

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Specializes in Home Health, Case Management, OR.

I could not make it through nursing school WITHOUT my Celexa and Xanax!! I have numerous classmates who are on antidepressants, antianxiety, ADD, ADHD medications. It's really no big deal and I would think they would rather you be trying to control your health issues than just letting it run rampant. If you don't feel comfortable, you do not have to reveal that you are taking medications on your documentation for nursing school, its really none of their business!

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Yeah i was taking stuff post partam (lexapro) and my mind was more organized.

Like coming out of a foggy haze. I lost insurance and couldn't take them anymore beacause of the price. I think it would help me focus again and get my

priorities straight so just wondering if that would be a problem or would conflict

with getting in school

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la mama, I would sell a kidney to stay on my meds.

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Yeah I guess it would be after you were accepted, doing your drug screen and

health requirements

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I didn't start back on Celexa until after I was a few weeks into nursing school, but I was never asked upon admission- all they cared about were my immunizations and TB test, and medical insurance! Good luck to you- tons of people are on antidepressants-I agree with all the above posters-- I wouldn't worry about it :)

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If you aren't on something before nursing school, you will be soon! :chuckle Just kidding!

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He he.

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