Depression, BiPolar Nursing School Essay

[stephen_kor]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of filling out my application for nursing school. Of course there is a "Personal Statement" they want me to write. They also want a resume, which I don't have becauce I've not worked for serveral years due to depression and bipolar disorder. It is now under control and my life is getting back together. Do you think I should explain my situation about my mental condition in my personal statement, or should I just leave it be and not even raise the issue with the school? I just sort of feel as though I owe them an explanation as to why I will not be turning in a resume with the application packet.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Stephen

[LanaBanana]

Wow, I understand not wanting to reveal mental illness during the application process, but as to not even mentioning it to other students? As someone who has gone through SEVERE depression for several years and come out on the other side (yeah Cymbalta!) I feel a need to share my experience with others who are struggling. In June a girl in my nursing class had just been started on antidepressants and was really struggling with it and when a few of us were talking about it I told them what I had gone through (I left out the gory details, but tried to let her know that I had been there, done that, and have moved on) to help her realize that recovery CAN happen. And by sharing my story with the other 3 students who were there, I hope that they will remember that when they encounter a patient with a mental illness. For some people, putting a personal face on an illness helps them to treat a patient with that illness with more compassion.

Goodluck Stephen Kor. And congrats on taking this step!

[firstyearstudent]

Well, Daytonite. I still disagree. Just because everyone else is doing something wrong (lying on their resumes), doesn't mean it's okay to do the same. When a person lies they may unfairly take opportunities away from those who aren't and that's unethical in my opinion. And not everyone lies on applications and reumes. I never have. It's also too much to ask that a potential employer or school administrators confirm the veracity of information from every applicant. (Although perhaps they should do so for those offered jobs or spaces.)

Personally, I wouldn't reveal a history of psychiatric problems to anyone at school. I made the mistake of telling a clinical instructor that I have an anxiety disorder and it made her, if anything, less sympathetic.