Can I still be a nurse?

Smitty08 · Nov 30, 2009

Hi - first of all, never count yourself out of the game. I have one thought however. Having working in Psych. for "many moons" I have seen many things. When you mention you were diagnosed with 4 major mental illness and then 2 more on top of that, I say: bull. Try to get that clarified. Sometimes the way it goes is like what happens with medications (polypharmacy!) : medications keep getting added and none are taken away. Same can be true with diagnoses. This is not good practice, but it happens. There really should be ONE PRIMARY diagnosis, sometimes more than one, but ONE will usually cover most people. I rarely see more than 2 diagnoses on Axis I. My point is this: you need to know what your real issues are and what your prognosis is. You mention the mental illnesses causing you to "become suicidal and homicidal" - yikes! This indicates you have a need to be stabilized further... Having said that, I'm sure you can proceed with anything you want to do, once stabilized and provided you are committed to taking care of yourself and you receive good care. Best of luck!

anya16 · Nov 30, 2009

Hello Smitty08,

Thank you for replying. Per your suggestion I am going to get clarification as to what is my primary diagnosis. I appreciate your insight. Thank you again and may you have a wonderful holiday season.

Guest321574 · Nov 30, 2009

I've never heard that about needing clearance from a MD to take NCLEX...I made it through school and NCLEX and no one ever asked me about my mental health or if I had hx of mental illness (which I don't, but still...)

anya16 · Dec 1, 2009

Lovenandj, that's great news for me to hear that no one asked you about your mental health. It means there is hope for me. I hope no one will ask me as well.

oldladyRN · Dec 1, 2009

The replies to your post thus far really concern me. One even goes so far to suggest that you might want to withhold this information from your state's licensing board.

You state in your post that your doctor has determined you to be a danger to yourself and others. Please do the responsible thing and get your mental health situation stabilized before you consider anything else. Nursing (and the healthcare field in general) is a very demanding, unpredictable and stressful career and may not be the right one for you.

I do not wish to come across as mean or cruel, just realistic. With the recent tragedy at Ft Hood, this is no laughing matter.

I do wish you the best and I hope you are able to get the help you need.

oldladyRN

anya16 · Dec 1, 2009

OldladyRN,

Thank you for wishing me the best and for your honesty. I will definitely get stabilized before making any major decisions.

delphiniumRN · Dec 1, 2009

I agree with smitty, you need to get the correct meds, diagnosis, and become stabilzed... We can not give medical advice, but I would definately ask to see my GAF and the diagnosis on Axis 1 and Axis 2. Why are 2 pdocs managing you, were you refered out? I dont think mental illness is a disqualifier if it is under control. Within psychiatry you will see alot of high functioning people with mental illness, as well as people who do not function so well. I come from a place of hope.. Be Well

anya16 · Dec 1, 2009

delphiniumRN,

Yes, I was referred out and that's why I have two doctors. The next time I go to the doctor I'm going to get my primary diagnosis.

R. S. · Dec 2, 2009

I go to a nursing school in texas an they told us if we had a criminal record or major metal illness not depression (they said that every one gets depressed) that we had to file a dec. order or something like that. :twocents:

USN2UNC · Dec 2, 2009

I go to a nursing school in texas an they told us if we had a criminal record or major metal illness not depression (they said that every one gets depressed) that we had to file a dec. order or something like that.

Like lead poisoning?? :smokin:

All kidding aside. I would hope that my nurse buys into the ethical practices that they are standing behind and puts my safety before their advancement. Not that you would not at all- just putting it out there. Good luck though!

L8RRN · Dec 2, 2009

Before I became a nurse, I worked in a medical facility that had a new graduate nurse that had a psychotic "episode" and she ended up losing her license. This was in Maryland. I do not know if there was more to it, but I would not recommend hiding anything! I would make sure everything is in order and that your health is stable BEFORE you put yourself through nursing school. It would be a shame to go through all the work and stress of nursing school to find out it was for nothing.