Depression in nurses and how/where to get help?

[SeattleKid09]

I'm finishing my first year of nursing. I like my job and the people. May not seem relevant but I'm getting there...

I've struggled with depression and self-harm for years. In the last few weeks it has increased exponentially for no apparent reason. I want to get help but am worried about what getting help would mean for my nursing license. I practice safely and would never do anything that would impair my ability to care for patients. I am able to put personal issues out of my mind and totally focus on work when I'm at work as long as I don't slow down to think about anything else. I know I'm a good nurse. How do I get help without negative consequences regarding my career?

Also, I called about seeing someone at employee health but the next appointment I could get was in 3 weeks. Quite honestly, three weeks is a really long time at this point. At least I'm working all weekend, that will help for a few more days. I don't know what else to do about it. Any suggestions and information are greatly appreciated. I'm aware this board isn't a place for advice but hopefully someone knows the licensing aspects of getting help so I know what can and can't be disclosed without risking the career I worked so hard for.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

If you don't want it to be known at work that you're seeking treatment for depression, all I can suggest is that you seek an psychiatry appointment outside of employee health.

Go through your medical insurance--depending on your insurance program, you may have to see your primary care provider first and/or suck up a copay, but at least all those lovely HIPAA laws will help you maintain your privacy. If you see a doctor outside of employee health/the employer's facility, your employer never need know you're seeking treatment, nor could they ever find out...unless you tell them, of course.

And that's all the advice I can give--your medical professional needs to take it from there. Best of luck.

[whodatnurse]

You should (hopefully) have community mental health resources of some sort. Look them up and call the number. Tell who answers that you've been struggling with thoughts of self-harm and would really like to come in and talk to someone ASAP. I would think they would arrange to see you that day. Also...call your primary care provider. Tell who answers the same thing and they WILL give you a same day appointment. At least until you get some sort of ongoing therapy underway...your physician, after examining you, may recommend starting a regimen of antidepressants. They take up to six weeks to start having mood stabilizing results, so if your physician determines this is the right course of action for you, getting started sooner is better than later. Disclaimer: I know we don't make medical recommendations...but untreated depression can be quite deadly...and I think it's important to direct people immediately towards the professionals who might best assist them.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

Many employers also have employee assistance programs that help employees struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues.

One hospital I worked in had a policy that insurance covered everything if the employee used our hospital, but only half if they went somewhere else for a service we offered. Employees of the hospital who had mental health issues were forced to choose between coworkers possibly finding out that they had been hospitalized on a mental health unit or incurring a major bill for going somewhere else.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

We are sorry you are going thru this.