Can I still be a nurse?

[anya16]

Hello,

I was in nursing school in 2006 before my world fell apart in 2007 and I was diagnosed with four major mental illnesses. Since then I have been hospitalized multiple times and been diagnosed with two other mental illnesses on top of the previous four. Can I still be a nurse even though sometimes my mental disorders cause me to become suicidal and homicidal? My friend said that since I have been in the hospital, my doctor will have to sign a declaratory order in order for me to take the NCLEX-RN. When I talked to my doctor, he said he wouldn't sign it because I am a danger to myself and others. Does this mean my dreams to become a nurse are over? Is there really a declaratory order for my doctor to sign? Does having a mental illness bar me from being a nurse? Right now, I am under the close care of two doctors and am vigilant in taking my meds.

[R. S.]

Sometimes the stress of nursing school or having an actual nursing postion exposes the mental illness. But like u said i would hope a nurse that has a mental illness would consider the patients first.

[R. S.]

It actually says that lol

[Guest321574]

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

Is this regarding my post? I can only assume it is. I did not suggest she hide anything, I only stated my experience, that no one ever inquired about my mental health in any way, and I had never heard of needing a doctor to sign off on taking boards. That is all I said, end of story.

Now, the only thing I am wondering is if she is a danger currently to herself or others, why isn't she hospitalized? (and I'm not saying that to mean "duh of course she isn't a danger", I'm really asking)

And in further defense of myself, yes my response was short/terse, and no I didn't go in depth about getting stabilized first, etc. because it had just been written one post above mine. I really feel offended that someone would think I would suggest she hide information, that was not my intention.