Can I still be an RN if I was in a Mental Hospital?

allnurses Guide · Mar 29, 2015

There is a question on your board applications about if you have ever been treated for a psychotic disorder which then goes on to describe, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, hallucinations, delusions etc..... It also lists certain medications used for these disorders. If your only diagnoses was depression don't volunteer any other information. It's non of their business. Only if you were held against your will for more than 30 days and have a permanent firearms restriction which is in the NCIS data base will your background come into question. If you are doing well now move forward in your life. Good luck.

Hppy

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 29, 2015

Short answer: it's possible to become a RN.

Long answer: depends on why you were hospitalized, whether you were placed on an involuntary hold, how you are doing now, medications you are on (if any) and what your BON wants to know about your past psychiatric history and diagnoses.

While I'm of the opinion that you should keep this info as private as possible and not volunteer any information, I also believe that you should not lie to any BON, because BONs look upon lying with a harsher eye than they do upon mental illness. Contact your state BONs (do it anonymously if you prefer) and see what they want you to disclose regarding mental illness. If you are uncertain how to answer a question on the licensure application, seek the advice of an attorney (preferably one that has dealt with nursing/BON issues).

Best of luck.

pediatricnurse2016 · Mar 29, 2015

No, I have never been convicted of any crimes.

pediatricnurse2016 · Mar 29, 2015

No, I have not been convicted of any crimes

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Mar 29, 2015

Even if you do have to disclose, some BONs will not make a big deal out of it if you explain that you're under the care of a doctor and have been stable since your hospitalization. I had to do it when I renewed my license last fall, and the BON didn't say a thing about it; they simply renewed it with no questions asked. Maybe I was just lucky---I have bipolar 1 disorder and was in the hospital myself only a few weeks before that---but I felt better having been honest with the BON.

Perhaps I would have felt differently if I were still working and dependent on my income from nursing. (I retired because of my medical problems.) Sometimes nurses with mental health issues are forced into monitoring programs which are very invasive, humiliating, and expensive. I renewed only because I wanted the option of going back if a job I could handle came up or if I wanted to do some volunteer work. It hasn't happened yet, but it's nice to have the option.

Wishing you the very best.

SunriseDay · Mar 29, 2015

I was admitted for depression for being homeless, but now I'm back in college trying to get my life together. Can state boards or employers find this out? I'm 26 now and I have had a pretty hard life thus far and I'm just so scared that this will hind me in my endeavors.

Tell NO one.

People can complain or report to the BON and it could cause disciplinary action or a required diversion/monitoring program. That could affect your job.

In California: Board of Registered Nursing - What is the Diversion Program?

On one thread on here, somebody said they had been "'anonymously' reported to the BON as being psychologically unable to do their job".. and that probably required a psych eval and you NEVER want to go on one bc they always will give you some diagnosis.

It is scary, but if you tell no one, then no one can 'complain' or report or anything like that... it's a death sentence if you tell people professionally, legally, socially, and so on.

If you don't let anyone know, I think you can squeak by the diversions, monitoring, disciplinary action ect, but it's unfortunately always a risk to your job if somebody finds out or suspects. Keep your information private and don't disclose.

It also depends on the state for the licensing application... I looked at the CA website, and there isn't one (Citizen's Commission of Human Rights headquarters in Los Angeles?) q about it.. however, in Ohio, IL, TX, maybe PA and I think some other states ask on the application. TX is especially bad I read, saying back for 5 years and asking each 2 years: https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/involuntary-psych-ward-642835-page2.html

I'm happy in California where it's not asked on licensing.. but it's still a risk for complaints, reporting, and disciplinary action. So still scary, but not impossible.

Don't Disclose to anyone, you can also expunge the records, seal them, and I think you can petition for firearm rights if it was taken away by involuntary action.

DeeAngel · Mar 29, 2015

No, it shouldn't keep you from being a nurse at all. That being said do not disclosure this information to coworkers or anyone at your places of employment. Not everyplace or everyone plays fair with information they are given. I am being very serious when I tell you to tell no one at all about this, ever.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 29, 2015

No, it shouldn't keep you from being a nurse at all. That being said do not disclosure this information to coworkers or anyone at your places of employment. Not everyplace or everyone plays fair with information they are given. I am being very serious when I tell you to tell no one at all about this, ever.

I agree. Having to fess up to the BON if they ask is one thing.

But you do NOT need to disclose it to employers, coworkers or anyone else because more often that not, it will be used against you. This is true even if you decide to go into psych nursing...and FYI: having had a mental illness doesn't mean you're a lock for psych nursing nor even be good at it, nor will psych employers be more understanding about it. They will not.

nurseResa · Mar 29, 2015

Yes you can. It's no one business and you certainly don't of to disclose it.

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Mar 30, 2015

It's important to answer honestly and fully any questions asked you by the BON on licensure applications; they are much harder on people for lying to them then they are, in most cases, for whatever the original issue was the applicant was trying to hide from them. They may find out, they may not. Either way, that, by itself should not hinder your pursuing a career in nursing. I've known a few nurses over the years who had a hx of psychiatric hospitalization (more than one, in some cases), and it did not affect their licensure or careers.

If our medical records are private how would the BON know if someone had been hospitalized? How would it become public info to them? Just curious?

I personally would advise keeping the hospitalization to yourself because BON can use that to keep you from getting your license or hold you to a restricted license and make you be drug tested and go to therapy till they feel you are ok. I have read this on here from other people which of course makes it even more difficult to get a job. Apparently it just depends on which state you are in if they will ask such questions.

The most important thing is that you are ok now and the depression is under control. Many people struggle with depression from all walks of life. I'm glad you are doing better.

I even saw a therapist during and after nursing school to deal with past family issues and stress etc. I went to a women's health center that you paid on a sliding fee based on your income. Granted when I went to school and got my license I don't remember ever being asked such questions but maybe it was the state I lived in or maybe it was because I graduated over 20 years ago!

I do believe that therapy and support groups can be wonderful and help people deal with their daily stress and personal problems and people should be open to giving it a try if they are struggling.

Good luck to you and wish you the best!

medicalforonevoice · Mar 30, 2015

Let's keep pushing and encouraging our Advocates and Legislatures to remember that! I bet this "soon to be Nurse" will help his/her patients with an understanding of where they may be in their life or where they have been.

elkpark · Mar 30, 2015

If our medical records are private how would the BON know if someone had been hospitalized? How would it become public info to them? Just curious?
I personally would advise keeping the hospitalization to yourself because BON can use that to keep you from getting your license or hold you to a restricted license and make you be drug tested and go to therapy till they feel you are ok. I have read this on here from other people which of course makes it even more difficult to get a job. Apparently it just depends on which state you are in if they will ask such questions.

I'm not saying the BON will find out, just that you can't be sure they won't. Nursing is a small "club." People know each other, and people talk to each other. There are plenty of people here who have "crashed and burned" at work because of psychiatric issues, and it came to the attention of the BON that way. There have been people who have posted here that a disgruntled former spouse or friend reported them to the BON. There are many different ways that information could come to the BON other than them having access to your medical records.

My only point was, if they do find out at some later point that you were dishonest on your licensure application (didn't answer whatever questions you were asked fully and honestly), that is going to be much worse for an individual than being honest about whatever the issue was (criminal background, mental or other health issues, whatever) in the first place. Many (most? all?) BONs considering lying on licensure application or renewal forms to be grounds for revoking your license, regardless of whether the issue you lied about would have interfered with getting or keeping a license.

It really comes down to how the questions are worded on a specific state's application forms; but one has nothing to gain by being less than honest with the BON, and quite a bit to (potentially) lose.