Be candid how do I handle my illnesses with regards to the BON if I get an interview.

[honeyforasalteyfish]

So I have a lot working against me. I flunked out of my first year of college as a freshman. I had health issues both physical, and mental which I will get to later. I retook those classes, and my cumulative GPA after my last A in a prereq is now around 3.4, and I might be able to get it up to 3.5 before applying after taking my last prereq at community college for the ADN program I am applying to. I know nursing is very competitive. I suffer from severe depression it got so bad I started to suffer psychosis as a result. I was having delusions related to musical lyrics which I know is quite a common symptom of mental illness. I realize that now, but didn't realize it then. Had I done more research I might have saved myself a lot of time, and pain. I was hospitalized twice for it, and misdiagnosed. Now that I am on anti-depressants the psychosis is gone my psychiatrist thinks there is no reason for any setbacks as long as I remain constructive with my life, and stay on the medication. I KNOW ITS BAD, but I would like serious advice on how I should handle the situation do I come forward, or keep my mouth shut. I am leaning towards keeping my mouth shut, but I want to be honest if I get an interview this fall. I also have had chron's disease, and a lung abscess the reason I want to become a nurse is to help others who have been suffering from chronic physical illness. I developed chron's my first semester as a freshman when I flunked out. I have had depression for near a decade now, but went undiagnosed because I was to proud, and stupid to seek help until it was at the life ruining stage. I am trying to turn the negatives in my life into positives, by becoming a nurse, but I have a lot working against me. Like flunking out in my first semester. How do I prove I have the situation under control, capable, and competent if I am lucky enough to snag an interview with the board of nurses. Don't tell me you shouldn't pursue this because I am determined to pursue it regardless. My counselors think I am a good candidate, but they are not aware I was hospitalized for psychiatric reasons. Its a period of my life I want to leave firmly buried for obvious reasons, but I know its a mark against me if it comes up. Do I get a letter of mental competency from my psychiatrist? Do I not even bring it up? My grades are up across the board in my prereqs despite being hospitalized with a lung abscess, and missing two weeks my first semester taking prereqs. I have put to much effort into this to just give up, so serious advice on how to handle my situation is appreciated. Well the cat is now really out of the bag. Sorry just needed to vent, my life has been a series of setbacks which I am trying to turn into positives. If you are going to tell me I wouldn't want you taking care of patients with your condition, you don't know me very well. I am highly intelligent, motivated, empathetic, and compassionate. My life experiences have taught me to do the very best I am capable of because I may never get another opportunity. You have no idea how much I want this, because I have been on the patient side of things. It really made me bitter, upset, and angry. The nurses however where all wonderful. That is why I want to do this so badly.

[enuf_already]

You talk about an interview with the BON. Are you planning on meeting with them to review whether they will allow you to be licensed when you graduate due to past mental health issues?

Or are you talking about an interview to get into a nursing program and meeting with their staff? I'm confused.

The BON and school personnel are two very different entities.

Your story might be a little easier for others to read if you break it into paragraphs.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Good day:

If this is about getting into nursing school, there is no interview with the Board of Nursing.

Thank you.

[honeyforasalteyfish]

I am talking about getting into an interview to get into nursing school. I just heard there where interviews to get into nursing school. I read you needed a letter of mental competency if you where ever voluntarily admitted to the hospital for psychiatric reasons. I suppose I am trying to cover my bases.

It took a lot of courage for me to post this, and I am ignorant as far as the process goes. I have never done this before. I probably won't get one.

Should I be so fortunate however I would like to know how to handle the situation in an interview.

[studentnurse47]

For my program (and probably all of them?) we had to be cleared by a MD. Good luck.

[Journey of Hope]

Being on the patient side of the chart will indeed make you an empathetic and compassionate nurse. However, I would strongly encourage you to be solid in your mental/physical recovery before starting nursing school (maybe a year without major problems). Think of the big picture....If you have to withdrawal from school due to your own health, then it will be difficult (or not possible) for you to return and graduate.

Best wishes.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

You state "don't tell me you shouldn't pursue this because I am determined to pursue this regardless".

Ok then why are you asking for "candid" answers? Guess what you are not the only person in nursing with "setbacks". I was thrown out of my parents house at 16. I joined the military and ended up getting my BSN. If you do not earn the grades to be an nurse is DOES NOT MATTER how much you "want" to be an RN. There are many people who "want" to be Doctors...should they just be a doctor?

How do you "prove" you are capable of being an nurse. 1. Graduate nursing school. 2. Pass the NCLEX. 3. get a job as a new grad RN. 4. Provide excellent patient care and be reliable, responsible, and professional with a high level of attention to detail. 5. Most important...do not whine and do not blame.

[honeyforasalteyfish]

Of course, however I merely meant to say I am going to pursue this regardless. I am trying not to whine, or blame. I am looking for solutions not you cannot do this. That is merely what I was saying by I intend to pursue this regardless.

[honeyforasalteyfish]

It's been over a year since the. Episode two years in fact.

[Jules A, MSN]

Of course, however I merely meant to say I am going to pursue this regardless. I am trying not to whine, or blame. I am looking for solutions not you cannot do this. That is merely what I was saying by I intend to pursue this regardless.

I hear you and admire your determination however keep in mind that once you post on an open forum you are inviting comments from all directions no matter how you try to rein it in. The great news about this imo is if you remain thoughtful and gracious to the posters who really raise your hackles you might find out more about your internal fortitude than the many cheerleaders who encourage you to blindly do whatever you want regardless of the impracticality. I have learned a lot from those who I vehemently disagreed with over the years. Many times its a matter of reflecting back as to why a particular post from a total stranger irritated me so much and most times it isn't them its something in me.

Best of luck to you and my suggestions would include remaining on prescribed meds, continuing and possibly increasing therapy and being mindful that psychopathologies tend to exasperate during times of stress which nursing school is sure to be.

[honeyforasalteyfish]

I hear you and admire your determination however keep in mind that once you post on an open forum you are inviting comments from all directions no matter how you try to rein it in. The great news about this imo is if you remain thoughtful and gracious to the posters who really raise your hackles you might find out more about your internal fortitude than the many cheerleaders who encourage you to blindly do whatever you want regardless of the impracticality. I have learned a lot from those who I vehemently disagreed with over the years. Many times its a matter of reflecting back as to why a particular post from a total stranger irritated me so much and most times it isn't them its something in me.

Best of luck to you and my suggestions would include remaining on prescribed meds, continuing and possibly increasing therapy and being mindful that psychopathologies tend to exasperate during times of stress which nursing school is sure to be.

I agree. I am trying to mold myself into what I need to be, not who I am. That process takes time, and perseverance. I have no intention of ever going off the anti-depressants. The thought of ever going back to that time keeps me up at night. I use it just as another reason to pursue this. The post does not irritate me, it keeps me going. Some one telling me I cannot do something keeps me driven. I am not trying to whine, or complain. I am trying to better myself, and this is the outlet I have chosen. As it is I called in myself, and received an answer that leaves me satisfied. I should have done this before posting this my apologies. For the confusion, and the opening up of the proverbial can of worms.

[llg, PhD, RN]

The "standard advice" is to not bring up negatives in an interview unless asked. But if asked, you need to tell the truth -- so reheorifice your responses and be prepared to put a positive spin on the situation.

However, I am not sure that is the best advice in your case -- because you have not yet made a big investment in your education. For you, the problems will only begin with nursing school. Each time you apply for a job, you will face the same problem. Employers are allowed to ask about past psychiatric problems and are increasingly asking those questions as part of the hiring process. Answering truthfully may well prevent you from getting that job ... but lying about it could cost you your career and even more. (E.g. lying about it and then having an episode that results in a patient being hurt could get you in BIG trouble with a lot of people.)

It's possible that you could get the whole way through nursing school and get a license -- and then NOT be able to get a good job. That would leave you unemployed (or in a job nobody else would take) after having made a huge investment in your education. I have seen that happen with people who have things in their background that make them "risky hires." Yes, I have actually seen that happen.

My suggestion is that you speak with an attorney who is knowledgeable about labor laws related to healthcare and the employment of people with chronic psychiatric conditions. Such a person might be able to give you a clear picture of what your employment prospects would be as well as any legal advice as how to best handle your situation. I would definitely do that before investing a lot of time, effort, emotion, and money into a nursing education.

I wish you the best of luck.