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.
For my nursing school interview, I was not asked about previous psychiatric illnesses. I merely needed a physical form completed from my PCP. Your PCP may request a note from your psychiatrist that you are stable.
You will need to pass a basic physical and drug screen prior to employment as a nurse. The physician/np/pa conducting the physical in occupational health asked if I had any previous history of mental illness. I said yes and explained. She said ok and we continued with the exam. The next day she called requesting a letter from a counselor or psychiatrist stating that I was stable as this was protocol for anyone who had a history of being treated or hospitalized for mental illness. I had not seen one for >2 yrs and I told her that and doubted that my psychiatrist from then would be willing to write me a letter. She said ok she understood and that was that. I started the job a few weeks later.
If your nursing school and future job requests a letter, you give it to them. If you truly are stable they shouldnt reject you based on previous history of 2 years ago. However, there is a lot of stress in nursing school so make sure you really feel confident with your coping mechanisms before you start school.
I am comfortable with my coping mechanisms :). Thank you They involve lots of green tea, and studying. I am most comfortable when I am learning something new. A letter from my psychiatrist shouldn't be a problem. He is aware of all that I do, and doesn't foresee any setbacks as long as I remain constructive with my life, and stay on the medication I am on.
Thank you windsurfer8 for the candidness it is after all what I asked for, and everyone else. I am fully aware this is something I have to earn. I just don't want the word can't in my vocabulary. I am trying to be a problem solver, a go getter, not some one who whines, and complains about the situation, but does nothing about it. I whined for years about the situation, but did nothing. The sense of entitlement I had is gone. It got dropped in a heartbeat, by my experiences of late. I may never earn the right to be a RN. I may never get that opportunity, ever, but I dream about it. Not everyone who wants to be a doctor can be, just as not everyone who wants to be a RN can be. I get that, but if no one ever tried, no one would ever make it. Congrats windsurfer8 on being outstanding in getting your BSN. I hope someday I can earn a similar amount of respect, and gainful employment. I may need an attitude adjustment if I am to succeed. So thanks for the call downs, its what I asked for. I did further research, and discovered I should have no problems if I can earn the grades, and remain under the care of a psychiatrist. I know I am not the best candidate, but its something I am working on everyday. Doing everything in my power to become better. Also windsurfer8 in all sincerity, thank you for serving in our armed forces, because of my illnesses I am unable to do so, they will not take those with chron's disease I entertained joining the marines when I was twenty. Thank you windsurfer8, for protecting my opportunity to make a better life for myself. I really do mean that.
I also have dealt with depression and anxiety. I was struggling with answering certain questions on my physical paperwork regarding this but I decided to be honest about it. I was thanked for my honesty. That was it. Nothing else ever came of it. The reason they ask these thing is because if something happens and you start to struggle, they are aware of it and will work with you. If you don't, then they might just think you're a flake and will be less willing to help you out, especially since you've known this has been something you have dealt with for a decade.
Be honest. It will pay off. There is no reason this would hold you back so stop framing it that way. Use it as a way to demonstrate your ability in overcoming challenges. Make it positive and make it work to your benefit. Don't hide it. You have nothing to be ashamed of.
I will be honest if I can snag an interview then. I don't want to be less than forthcoming because it is an investment in me if I am lucky enough to gain acceptance. Also thank you all. You have no idea what it means to me to move in this direction everyday I get closer to my application I get more excited. I will stop framing my previous struggles as something that will hold me back, and take them for a learning experience. Because that's what they are. A RN gave me a piece of advice I try to live by nowadays, fake it untill you make it. I take it this way when you are struggling with something dig a little deeper that day.
To compensate for being a "risky hire" as llg posted, try getting a job as a tech while in school or even before. Establish a good work record with relevent experiance and show that you can handle the stress of a tough academic program and a tough job at the same time. Also, please learn the difference between "to" and "too" before writing a resume.
Lol, I am sorry this post cracked me up. I know the difference. It's just I typically post over my phone, since my internet speed on my computer is dirt. I am getting my CNA certification this fall, and will attempt to get a job as a CNA while I am in school. For various reasons. Thank you. Too is expressing an additional value. Such as I have thought of that too. Thank you. I intend to work as a mathematics tutor for a year, and then transition to CNA work while I am in nursing school, assuming I get in. That's the plan at least. Sorry I laugh at myself all the time. It's a good stress reliever. I am laughing at myself for my hysterical post after reading it. I was freaking out because of how hysterical I get sometimes. It's like MY LIFE IS OVER, and I am only 27 . Gotta laugh, at yourself sometimes.
I will be honest if I can snag an interview then. I don't want to be less than forthcoming because it is an investment in me if I am lucky enough to gain acceptance. Also thank you all. You have no idea what it means to me to move in this direction everyday I get closer to my application I get more excited. I will stop framing my previous struggles as something that will hold me back, and take them for a learning experience. Because that's what they are. A RN gave me a piece of advice I try to live by nowadays, fake it untill you make it. I take it this way when you are struggling with something dig a little deeper that day.
But if they dont ask about it in the interview (which they shouldnt bc youre protected by the ADA as a previous poster pointer out) DONT volunteer the information!
If you need to explain any gaps of unemployment etc, you can always say i was out on medical leave which is stable now. No other details necessary for the interview.
My understanding is each state BON is different and not all ask about your mental health, but I don't know for sure. From what I've read is that if you disclose a mental illness your license is kept in limbo and you don't know whether or not they will approve you and let you be a nurse till after you've spent the time and money on getting your nursing degree. Then you have to wait with baited breath if they will let you be a nurse and what if any stipulations they will put on your license. Personally I think this is unfair. I would be leary of telling them I was hospitalized for mental illness, but of course if they find out you lied about it that could put your license in jeopardy. I don't remember this being an issue back when I graduated in the 90's at least not my state. Then again they didn't do drug testing back then either so times have changed.
I know you are set on being a nurse, but you should consider other options as well. Nursing tends to be very stressful and I'm afraid it might exacerbate your depression. We have such immense responsibility but very little authority over our jobs. I would look for a more defined job such as ultrasound tech where you work with one patient at a time, don't dispense meds, and so probably won't have to worry about disclosing your mental health. Good luck to you with whatever you decide.
Ya I hear you. It would be real easy for me to give up, but I don't intend on doing that. If I don't get in this fall, I intend on transferring, and trying again. My depresion really is under control with medication. I don't know it's just pursuing this fills my life with meaning. Also I was unmedicated for years. I am really much better with medication. I was holding down a full time 60 hour workweek with while going through this. So I figure with medication, I can do much better. I do worry about becoming a nurse, and getting a job, and losing a patient. That would devastate me. The stress I know I can handle. Because I have handled stress before while unmedicated.
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honeyforasalteyfish
262 Posts
Thank you