Disclose depression dx on WA licensure application?

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I've been receiving treatment for depression since I was a teenager (now pushing 30). I'm currently applying for an RN license by endorsement in Washington state, and I came up against the following question:

Do you have a medical condition which in any way impairs or limits your ability to practice your profession with reasonable skill and safety? If yes, please attach explanation.

Medical Condition” includes physiological, mental or psychological conditions or disorders, such as, but not limited to orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, intellectual disabilities, emotional or mental illness, specific learning disabilities, HIV disease, tuberculosis, drug addiction, and alcoholism.

If you answered yes to question 1, explain:

1a. How your treatment has reduced or eliminated the limitations caused by your medical condition.

1b. How your field of practice, the setting or manner of practice has reduced or eliminated the limitations caused by your medical condition.

Note: If you answered yes” to question 1, the licensing authority will assess the nature, severity, and the duration of the risks associated with the ongoing medical condition and the ongoing treatment to determine whether your license should be restricted, conditions imposed, or no license issued.

The licensing authority may require you to undergo one or more mental, physical or psychological examination(s). This would be at your own expense. By submitting this application, you give consent to such an examination(s). You also agree the examination report(s) may be provided to the licensing authority. You waive all claims based on confidentiality or privileged communication. If you do not submit to a required examination(s) or provide the report(s) to the licensing authority, your application may be denied.

The way the question is worded makes it sound like it comes down to a judgment call. I honestly don't feel that my depression seriously impairs my ability to practice nursing—after all, I was able to get through nursing school and do some work in my home state. However, I don't want to be penalized if, for some reason, they decide I'm failing to disclose pertinent information or was dishonest on my application. I did search through the archives, and there seems to be no clear consensus. Some are saying not to disclose because it could be used against you, and others are saying that you should disclose, because if you don't, it might be used against you! I honestly have no idea what to do. Anyone else go through this? What did you do and how did it turn out?

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Specializes in Neurosciences, stepdown, acute rehab, LTC.

no, if it doesn't impair your nursing you don't need to disclose I don't think.

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.
no, if it doesn't impair your nursing you don't need to disclose I don't think.

"impairs or limits your ability to practice your profession with reasonable skill and safety"

Think along the lines of public safety. (Like the BoN would)

You mean a medical condition like diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, obesity, seasonal allergies near-sightedness? The vast majority of these people make adjustments in their lives so as to not be impaired. From taking medication to simply wearing glasses we make accommodations so we're not impaired. I could not be a safe nurse if I didn't wear my glasses. I wear my glasses EVERY time I go to work. If you have so treated your medical condition such that you are not impaired then answer No to the question, pay your money and welcome to Washington!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

This is a conundrum. It puts the applicant in a no-win situation. If you do disclose, the BON may very well decide to do a 'full Monty' on you and put restrictions on your license as well as some sort of mandated program. On the other hand, when you're drug screened by a potential employer, any psych meds will show up... requiring you to disclose information that most likely will include the nature of the illness that is being treated; providing that information to an employer could ultimately open it up to BON scrutiny also & you'd end up with a serious splash back because you didn't disclose originally.... WHEW.

Many years ago, a dear nurse friend of mine suffered from post-natal depression and sought treatment. When she renewed her license, she openly declared this.... and was promptly put in to a 'program' by the BON. This ultimately caused her to lose her (non-direct care) job and put a halt to her nursing career. I hope that BONs are more reasonable now.

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I would answer no because the first question asks if you have a medical condition that impairs your ability or skills of being a nurse. If it doesn't then there is no need to proceed to the additional questions.

If you are drugged screen, as long as you disclose your meds with valid scripts, they will only release that you passed. If I were diabetic but well controlled then I wouldn't disclose it because I don't believe it would impair my ability to be a nurse.

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I also wanted to add that i had post-Partum anxiety and was put on Zoloft. My son is 12 months old now and I am still on it. I plan to wean myself off of it but it in no way impairs my work. If anything, I am a better nurse because I don't stress as I used to.

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As a general rule drug tests only look for illegal drugs. The do not look for psychotropics.

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Do not disclose. Depression is super common and many medical and nursing professionals are being treated for it. In my experience the dx has not impaired their abilities to provide excellent patient care.

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I would answer no if I were you,because depression is not a disability and if u made it through Nursing school more kudos to you,that said I know many nurses working in washington who are on antidepressants,and they do not have to report.

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I passed my boards yesterday (In Wisconsin) and came across this as well today as I was filling out the paperwork to endorse in WA. I have ADHD and am prescribed/take Adderall xr. I know that I need to disclose this when it comes to drug testing for a job, but I am concerned that disclosing this to the BON will prevent me/restrict my license. I would say my adhd is well controlled with medication treatment, I made it through my BSN degree in 4 years, and was diagnosed about 5ish years ago. I think I am going to call the BON tomorrow to discuss what documentation they need. I guess I am just looking for some support, none of my initial paperwork for Wisconsin required me to disclose this information? Help?

Thanks everyone

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This is my thoughts on that if you choose to say yes then they can use that agaisnt you in future if you get in any problem during your practice .if you say no and you are going for therapy then your therapist can call your licence in to the DOH.The choice is yours whether to report or not..at the end only you have to answer to them

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