Applying for nursing school on antidepressants

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As of today, I have started a low dosage antidepressant. I am worried about this decision because I am beginning my application process into BSN programs soon and I am nervous that I may be disqualified for my "mental health." I do not know if they can really do that or if they factor that in when choosing applicants. Does anyone know if you are required to state that you are diagnosed with stress-induced depression? I do not want to lie but I feel like my mental health is not of risk to anyone or significant enough to take into account for applying to programs. Also, if it is any difference, I am applying to schools in California. Any advice?

My medical disclosure form has a place for me to disclose depress. Not quite sure what to do.

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Your mental health is your business. You may be surprised how many of your colleagues and instructors are on psych meds themselves. If you think others will judge you because you take medication then don't feel compelled to give out that information. It's nothing to be ashamed of though. I know there are always other factors in play but I don't think you should worry that your meds will mess up your nursing school experience; like others have said, they will likely help! Good luck and remember to put your own health and well being first. Without those you can't help others the way you will want to.

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Specializes in ICU.

About 75% of Americans are on some kind of antidepressant. It's seriously not an issue.

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Specializes in psych.

That's strange, I don't remember being asked that. I did do cycles of antidepressants every time a quarter of nursing school started but I'd get off of them when I had a break. When I applied for jobs, some of them asked about chronic illness and gave examples like DM, CKD, bipolar, depression. Of course I said no because I no longer take meds but I don't know if there are any repercussions for saying yes.

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About 75% of Americans are on some kind of antidepressant. It's seriously not an issue.

Where did you get that statistic? That's not even close to anything I have found.

In a society that is increasingly self-medicating itself, capsules, tablets, and pills are turning from last resorts to easily obtained quick fixes. Between 1988 and 2008, antidepressant use increased nearly 400 percent. Today, 11 percent of the American population takes a regular antidepressant, which, by the latest study's measure, may be a severe inflation of what's actually necessary.

Antidepressants Aren't Taken By The Depressed; Majority Of Users Have No Disorder

For example, the media often report that antidepressant use in the United States has gone up by 400%” in recent years—and that's probably true. Specifically, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reported that from 1988-1994 through 2005-2008, the rate of antidepressant use in the United States among persons of all ages increased by nearly 400%.4 But the actual percentage of Americans 12 years or older taking antidepressants is about 11%—a large proportion of the population, for sure, but not exactly Prozac Nation.5 Furthermore, recent increases in antidepressant prescribing probably reflect new but legitimate uses of these medications for non-depressive conditions, such as neuropathic pain, PTSD, and panic disorder—for which several antidepressants have FDA-approved indications.

- See more at: All Topics | Psychiatric Times

Antidepressant use among Americans is skyrocketing. Adults in the U.S. consumed four times more antidepressants in the late 2000s than they did in the early 1990s. As the third most frequently taken medication in the U.S., researchers estimate that 8 to 10 percent of the population is taking an antidepressant. But this spike does not necessarily signify a depression epidemic.

The Rise of All-Purpose Antidepressants - Scientific American

I do agree that the OP has nothing to worry about simply because she takes an antidepressant.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Great to hear thank you for letting me know!!! I understand the purpose of HIPAA I just wondered if they may ask you to disclose that information upon applying to school. I feel very relieved now to know that I can keep it to myself! Thank you!!

HIPAA applies to your medical records when insurance is billed. This does not stop the school from inquiring if you have medical conditions that may affect your education or ability to complete the program. You would have to see if state laws prohibit schools from asking about mental health treatment history.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
My medical disclosure form has a place for me to disclose depress. Not quite sure what to do.

See what state laws may prohibit or restrict asking you to disclose. HIPAA does not apply to asking you to disclose but failing to be honest can have repercussions if you have issues and need accommodations in the future. Your treating provider may know the request/mandated disclosure rules for your state. While it's not shameful there are still stigmas out there.

For example in my state for minors in K-12 a parent should disclose to school nurse for safety reasons but do not have to disclose to anyone else and must sign permission for the nurse to disclose to staff.

Good luck. But if you self identify you may get additional protections & accommodations if needed (with documentation) from ADA and section 504.

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See what state laws may prohibit or restrict asking you to disclose. HIPAA does not apply to asking you to disclose but failing to be honest can have repercussions if you have issues and need accommodations in the future. Your treating provider may know the request/mandated disclosure rules for your state. While it's not shameful there are still stigmas out there.

For example in my state for minors in K-12 a parent should disclose to school nurse for safety reasons but do not have to disclose to anyone else and must sign permission for the nurse to disclose to staff.

Good luck. But if you self identify you may get additional protections & accommodations if needed (with documentation) from ADA and section 504.

In my experience, accessing accommodations does not require that you disclose to instructors. That is done with Student Services, which operates independently. It's completely confidential.

When I asked if I could be compelled

to disclose my qualifying dx to receive accommodations, I was told no. The professors are only allowed to see my required accommodations, not the reason for them.

I also did not have to disclose my medications to my faculty for drug testing. I brought them to the lab with me and disclosed to the lab tech.

I made the mistake of disclosing to my first adviser who used that information to publicly shame me for "relying on medication". I can honestly say I will never make that mistake again.

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Don't worry about it. I take anxiety & ADHD meds. School makes me nervous but I've survived and I'm graduating June 1.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
In my experience, accessing accommodations does not require that you disclose to instructors. That is done with Student Services, which operates independently. It's completely confidential.

When I asked if I could be compelled

to disclose my qualifying dx to receive accommodations, I was told no. The professors are only allowed to see my required accommodations, not the reason for them.

I also did not have to disclose my medications to my faculty for drug testing. I brought them to the lab with me and disclosed to the lab tech.

I made the mistake of disclosing to my first adviser who used that information to publicly shame me for "relying on medication". I can honestly say I will never make that mistake again.

Correct you disclose to the school disability services office (you may need to disclose diagnosis to ensure all accommodations are offered and if on a 504 or IEP in high school the qualifying disability diagnosis is listed) and if needed the school health services office. The school health services office needs to know medications & medical conditions especially if living on campus in case of emergency. This information is not disclosed to anyone else without your permission as per FERPA. Letters of accommodations list the accommodations not necessarily the qualifying disability. Advisors and instructors/faculty generally don't have a need to know in 95% of situations. But for example if you need to inject insulin you might want instructors to know before a nosy classmate reports you are shooting up heroin. (Yes I saw that once. It seriously made the nosy student look really bad as the student carried their prescription label with them as well as a labeled glucagon kit plus the instructors/faculty were well aware of the student's diagnosis and accommodations (breaks, testing, medication, how long can go without a break etc))

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There is no way in hell anyone I know at work is going to know I'm on antidepressants. Let's be real. I mean REAL. Never for one minute think everyone at your work will keep your little secret. Nobody at your work chose to be your buddy or friend. You have no idea who talks to who. And yes,they talk. If you honestly think the nurse next to you is going to not tell Nurse#2 your are taking antidepressants, you are living a fantasy.So the best advice is this:

SHUT UP.

If you are depressed, take care of it. If you need to spout off your feelings, find a therapist or a friend who doesn't work with you. It's your business and keep it that way. Sorry, honey there is not one business in the world who likes a depressed person.

I hate to tell you, but as a 37 year veteran, keep it to yourself.

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

I had to disclose, but it wasn't a problem.

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