Can antidepressants keep you out of NS?

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Hi all. My doc recommended that I start taking some anxiety medication, an SSRI. I'm currently awaiting decisions from a few nursing programs I applied to. For these programs, I have to do a head to toe physical to ensure I'm healthy. My question is, is my doctor authorized to document this medication on the physical paperwork (if I take allow him to prescribe them) and if so, can it keep me from getting in? I don't want them to say that I'm not "stable" enough to be in their program...or something along those lines. I would venture to say that my answer is no, but I need to be sure before I make a decision. A friend of mine was denied a job because he had been RXed antidepressants a few months prior for a non-nursing related field, but still in medical none the less.

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I suspect if you took a poll of medical people on antidepressants, you'd find a significant number. I have never heard of someone NOT being allowed into a program because of appropriate use of such a medication.....although I have seen some not survive a program because they SHOULD HAVE been on them and weren't!

Others will chime in, I'm sure, but I can't see the logic in denying you the education if you are appropriately medicating to AVOID a problematic situation...?

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Sure, I did a lot of reading on the forums about plenty of nurses who have taken or are currently taking SSRI's. I am just curious since I am not yet an RN.

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Sure, I did a lot of reading on the forums about plenty of nurses who have taken or are currently taking SSRI's. I am just curious since I am not yet an RN.

Yeah, I don't see this as an issue. Where I work, random drug testing is the norm, and if an employee's UDS shows something, all that is needed is a valid prescription....and, of course, it can't be something that prevents one from functioning properly, either.

I think you'd be good.

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Antidepressants may actually be what keep you in nursing school & keep your psyche intact... :bored:

But on a serious note, no they will not keep you out of nursing school.

If you are going to start medication, do it before nursing school begins. This way you know they work, you do not develop any serious adverse or side effects in the midst of school, and you do not let you depression/anxiety get out of hand & affect your grades.

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I don't know of any nurse who takes vitamin x :rolleyes:

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Once you get accepted into Rn school is when they get into your medication business. You will (most likely) have to do a drug screen but as long as you were prescribed medications with MD documentation prior to doing your drug screen they cannot hold that against you. I cannot imagine surviving Nursing school without SSRI's. You will be amazed at how much your mind races with To-Do's when you are trying to sleep.

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I cannot imagine surviving Nursing school without SSRI's. You will be amazed at how much your mind races with To-Do's when you are trying to sleep.

Well, I wouldn't use this as a reason. :sarcastic: Most students do get through school without them, LOL, they aren't the NORM, but they surely shouldn't be an obstacle if you do need them.

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Specializes in ICU.

No, it won't keep you out of nursing school. They will tell you what they are screening for and they only test for those drugs. I don't think antidepressants are on their radar. They will test for illegal drugs, legal narcotics, and some anxiety meds. There is a difference between a SSRI and a anti-anxiety like Xanax or Klonopin. My school tests for the Xanax and Klonopin. I take pain meds for my fibro and was told as long as I have a script I am ok. I take an antidepressant and pain meds for it and was told it's not a problem.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I've never heard of something like that getting in the way of nursing school. I agree about starting before if at all possible, so you can ensure that you've found the right one for you (it can take trying more than one, and they affect different people in different ways). If you were taking opiates regularly, that might raise some eyebrows (even with a prescription). They're not testing for SSRIs or other legitimate medications. They're testing for drugs of abuse. Even listing an SSRI on your med sheet won't stand in your way.

Good luck!

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Thanks everyone for the info. That is a relief! I appreciate all of your advice.

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