Clinical depression and nursing

MaryAnn_RN · Jan 7, 2009

Congratulations on qualifying

:ancong!::ancong!::ancong!:

I would advise you to be honest with any employer - occupational health will probably screen you.

Mental health problems are more common than you think. I know several nurses who have had issues and the Trust have been very supportive.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jan 7, 2009

Agree you will find Occ health very helpful just takes a little more time than normal.

Congrats and good luck

featherzwolfcloud · Jan 7, 2009

My course won't let me take time out-Count yourself lucky..

Congrats by the way.

MADHAT6 · Jan 8, 2009

A good employer will recognize your experience will contribute to your ability to care for and empathize with your clients,believe me ther are a ton of nurses out there who have had to deal with clinical depression and who are on meds for this...do you feel you have to disclose this ?Is it really anyone else's business?I do not think it will be an issue but good luck:heartbeat

minnie26 · Jan 9, 2009

Thanks for your feedback. Family and friends are encouraging and confident in my ability to make a good nurse but it always helps to talk to people that are actually in the profession. I do not really wish to declare that I had a mental health problem for obvious reasons but I was advised to do so by my doctor. As I am on medication for the condition, she felt there may be consequences further down the line if I was not upfront at the start. I also have to explain why I needed the extra time and I don't really want to start my career being dishonest or omitting information. I may just be building it all up in my head but I had such a negative response from another student on the course when I confided in her. We also lived together and she was very competitive - it wasn't a happy time and looking back I believe she went out of her way to make me question myself. However, that was over a year ago and I feel like my outlook on life has completely changed, I am certainly a lot healthier in mind and body and not so sensitive to spiteful criticism! So I guess all I can do now is draw upon the experience as suggested and put it to some positive use, right? Thanks again for your comments.

Finsecker · Jan 10, 2009

Hi Minnie, Well done on getting through the course. It's a tough course for anyone and I know from personal experience what added difficulties struggling with your mental health brings.

I got onto my nursing course having had a year off work previously due to anxiety and depression so the university knew about it all from the start. I also had a few problems on the course that the uni counselling service and my tutors helped me through.

When applying for jobs I needed to fill in an occ health questionnaire so it came out then. They then asked my GP for some more info about me. This is normal and I didn't mind. I had nothing to hide, and neither should you. Having said that I was very worried about it at the time, so I think I understand how you feel.

I had meetings with the occ health doctor and he passed me fit. I carried on having meetings with him throughout my first six months of work I think. They really are there to support you and keep you healthy and in work if possible

I decided only to confide in a very small number of my colleagues and this was the right way for me. Your experience with your housemate has undoubtably taught you alot and a tougher skin is something that I've grown since qualifying.

Anyhow, I've been qualified and working since October 07 and doing well. Still have the odd blip and that's life, it doesn't mean I'm any less able to do the job than others, although negativity can easily creep in if you let it.

Take care and good luck with the job hunt.