Disclosure of Depression to Nursing School

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Eirene, ASN, RN

499 Posts

we had to do the same thing with my nursing school; but it was for either schizophrenia or bi-polar disorder. i have been successfully treated for bi-polar for many years and i chose "yes" on the application. i asked my psychiatrist for a letter of capability just in case. i was accepted and the letter was never needed. i actually got in the quarter after i applied (all luck!)-- so all was good.

i'm nervous about disclosing it when i actually take my nclex-rn.

TrudyRN

1,343 Posts

It's nobody's business. Next, they'll ask about your sex life, religion, pregnancy plans/status, marital status, and lots of other issues that are banned - although the Fed gov often exempts itself from laws other employers have to follow. All of these and lots of other very personal matters are irrelevant to being a nurse and I would not reveal anything I wasn't absolutely forced to reveal.

Not sure how to advise you with regard to who's paying for your school and for what reason. If you think they will cross reference this application with your existing records, you'd be better off truthing, I would say.

Cherish

876 Posts

Specializes in Junior Year of BSN.
After toiling away for 2 years at prereq's I finally received the letter..."Congratulations! I am please to offer you admission...". However, my elation was short lived after reading over their information packet which includes a health assessment form.

The form is fairly standard; check if you have ever experienced: Mental/nervous condition.

This has been a concern of mine since I began contemplating becoming a nurse back in 2004; see thread: https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/depression-military-discharge-career-nursing-81986.html

So here's the problem that I have, or possibly have created in my head :uhoh3:, do I tell them? Since my school is being paid for by the Dept of Veterans Affairs as a result of my disability, not listing it would appear suspicious. And of course the omnipresent statement "Falsification of any information in the questionnaire will result in dismissal." nags at my sense of integrity.

Over the years this site has been a great source of inspiration and support. Please share any experiences or suggestions that you may have. Thanks in advance!

Was your discharge a medical discharge from the military or regular discharge? I receive VA compensation (haven't applied for Voc. Rehab yet) for disability 3 mths after I left the military and did not receive a medical discharge. I also had to submit a copy of my DD 214 to the school, so if you did the same thing and your's is medical then it would be easy for them to find out what code it was under (but honestly why would they search that hard).

If your getting Voc. Rehab for your mental condition then they would already have this information since documents are sent to your schools VA office and if that's the case I would NOT lie. I think you should talk to the VA representative or DAV (disabled american veterans) they have legal representatives that are free and you can ask them that question.

crissrn27, RN

904 Posts

Specializes in nursery, L and D.

More than half the nurses I know have some type of "mental Illness", including me! And most are on meds for it! I wouldn't worry about it too much. I checked yes, and disclosed my meds (panic disorder), and had a doc that was willing to do a letter of capability if needed (it wasn't)......no one ever said a word about it. I agree.....not any of their business, but hey, don't want to lie on the application.

loricatus

1,446 Posts

Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.

Since your dx may be considered a matter of public records, you may have to disclose it. There is nothing saying that you can't check both the yes and no box & leave it up to them to question you. At that point you tell them that yes, you were diagnosed with depression in the past & no, you do not have suffer from depression now because of successful treatment;adding, they had no allowances for explanations of resolved conditions. It wouldn't hurt reminding them that you are aware that you cannot be discriminated against.

It might be wise to check the nursing regulations in your state regarding what mental illnesses must be disclosed (the answer may just be on the application for a nursing license). If depression is not one of the conditions, you are in your rights to leave the answer blank since it is not relevent to practicing nursing (and they should not be asking you to disclose anything more than what the state requires for nurses)

HM2VikingRN, RN

4,700 Posts

After toiling away for 2 years at prereq's I finally received the letter..."Congratulations! I am please to offer you admission...". However, my elation was short lived after reading over their information packet which includes a health assessment form.

The form is fairly standard; check if you have ever experienced: Mental/nervous condition.

This has been a concern of mine since I began contemplating becoming a nurse back in 2004; see thread: https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/depression-military-discharge-career-nursing-81986.html

So here's the problem that I have, or possibly have created in my head :uhoh3:, do I tell them? Since my school is being paid for by the Dept of Veterans Affairs as a result of my disability, not listing it would appear suspicious. And of course the omnipresent statement "Falsification of any information in the questionnaire will result in dismissal." nags at my sense of integrity.

Over the years this site has been a great source of inspiration and support. Please share any experiences or suggestions that you may have. Thanks in advance!

If they require you to take a physical for school entrance. Discuss the issue with the Doc. Have him write on the form a statemet to the effect: "Depression well managed under current treatment plan." Depression is the common cold of psychiatric concerns. The school has accepted you so I don't think I would worry about disclosure.

WannaBmaleRN

16 Posts

I have a physical today and am considering bringing the issue up with practitioner.

I really appreciate all the responses and will, for the future benefit of others in similar situations and all those who are curious, keep this thread up to date as the situation evolves.

Thanks again!

Specializes in Palliative Care, NICU/NNP.

I was born depressed and most of the people I worked with are depressed! I check "Yes" and just write next to it "mild or chronic". They have never asked me anything about it. This has nothing to do with HIPPA and the question has been on medical forms for decades. All this reluctance to disclosure is why mental health stigmas continue. Even within the health care field people are reluctant to disclose.

jessielynn13

7 Posts

I would like to thank you for your service to our country. I to suffer from depression and anxiety. I was totally upfront with the nursing program from the minute I was accepted. My D.O.N told me if they held taking an antidepressant against nurses there would not be any nurses out there. I say tell the truth. Good luck and congrads.

chuck1234

629 Posts

Specializes in Nurses who are mentally sicked.

My first question is...If depression has nothing to do with their decision, why would they ask that question anyway.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP

4 Articles; 5,259 Posts

Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

I would be upfront about it.

I had severe postpartum depression, was on meds for a year, spent a year med-free and now it has reared its ugly head again. So, guess what?? I'm on Zoloft, and like Suesquatch, am very open about it.

One of the best nurses I work with is bipolar and has been for a while. She will tell you this up front as well.

They may not ask any questions about it at all. If they do, and you can prove that your depression (or any other mental illness) is stable on treatment and that you are compliant with said treatment, you should not have any problem. A letter from your treating MD should be enough. I do wish you the best.

bigsyis

519 Posts

Specializes in ER, Occupational Health, Cardiology.
I disclose it and my Lexapro to anyone who askes. Including complete strangers, like youse guys.

Ditto, and I disclose my Wellbutrin. Depression is a treatable, sometimes curable, medical condition. As an earlier poster said, many of the folks I work with are in the same boat. I don't know if it is the work that causes/exacerbates the depression, or if our education and insight make us reach out for help in dealing with it.

Any road, I'd be up front with any prospective employer if is asked on their app. After all, you are protected under the ADA. They can't discriminate just because of a medical condition, if you are otherwise qualified and fit for the job.;)

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