Depression, FMLA and nursing - need advice....

[jamielpn]

Hello fellow nurses,

I am a nurse with depression. I was diagnosed as a teen and have handled it well throughout the years but different events over the last 5-6 years have taken a toll on me. I'm a wife and mother now, a full time nurse and a student. I find it hard to get out of bed some days because the process of getting myself and my child ready, getting the things done before work that I need to do (I work 3-11) feel overwhelming. I put on a REALLY good front - I'm all smiles at work and with family/friends but inside I'm falling apart. Work is actually, believe it or not, the only place I don't feel 'depressed' because I"m so busy, I don't have time to think about anything but what I am doing right then. But I can feel it starting to creep in and effect my work. Little mistakes here and there that I normally don't make, short term memory issues etc. Ive called out a few times in the last few months saying I was 'sick' when in reality, I was having a 'depressed' day and *just* couldn't do 'it.' I'm seeking help from a counselor finally but I really feel I need some time off to sort things out. I don't know how to do this...I know FMLA covers mental health issues but I don't want to get flagged as 'problem' at work. I've been at the same facility for 3 years, I'm a great employee (I'm not trying to brag, truly) - I'm on time, I work extra shifts when I can, perform my work with excellence, my supervisors and managers are always complementary and my reviews are always commendable, I get along with all my coworkers etc. But I just don't know how much longer I can keep it all together...

[Cat365]

I would discuss the issue with your family doctor. He would be the one to fill out FMLA paperwork. Unless you are also seeing another doctor about your depression. Are you on any medication for it?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

The reason for your FMLA is not accessible to your employer, it is PHI. The reason FMLA exists, is to protect your job.

Please talk to HR and your doctor and get it going. My leave took 2 weeks to process, but it was effective on the day I requested it.

Best wishes.

[Sour Lemon]

You've probably already ruled out physical causes, but in the off chance that you haven,t ...some simple medical issues are capable of causeing "depresssed" types of moods.

Be well.