Background check and mental illness in Texas

Nursing Students General Students

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Hello, everyone. I just recently got accepted into an RN program and I start mid-January. Of course, I have to pass a background check with the state board of nursing before I can start. The website for TX BON on licensure eligibility says "*In the past five (5) years have you been diagnosed with or treated or hospitalized for schizophrenia and/or psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, paranoid personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or borderline personality disorder which impaired or does impair your behavior, judgment, or ability to function in school or work?" I'm conflicted on how to answer this question. I haven't been diagnosed with any of these. I've even been evaluated by a counselor in 2013 who informed my doctor that I didn't have an illness nor did I need to be medicated. However, my step mother did insist I was put on some medication (zoloft and [COLOR=#372819]seroquel[/COLOR]), because my father has some issues he's medicated. After prescribing these, the doctor told me to only take the zoloft. I took it for about a month, before he decided I didn't need it, weaned off, and haven't been medicated since. Would I have to explain this situation, or could I just say no?

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Specializes in ER.

How I would answer it is no. You were not diagnosed with anything. Does it "impair your function or ability to work?"

Interesting note, I recently read an article somewhere about issues related to female healthcare workers not reporting mental health issues related to the fear of being penalized or restricted.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Just say "No". You have never been diagnosed with any of the relevant problems. Believe me, you really don't want to go there when it comes to the BON because they undoubtedly will be all up in your business for a long time to come. Nursing school has enough challenges without adding to them.

On a side note - why in the world would you be given any medication based on a family member's diagnosis?? That's nuts (pardon the pun).

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