employment physical -- mental health history.

[Myshkin]

Hi,

I really want to become a nurse, but I have a history of mental health problems.

I've been given mixed diagnoses by some doctors just over a year ago (depression and anxiety, bipolar II, plus an eating disorder) when I was in a really bad situation (extreme family troubles and abusive relationship happening at the same time). I even went voluntarily to a mental health hospital for a few days over this.

I know that you have to take a physical to get into nursing programs, so I'm worried about what this history will cause for me.

I am completely fine now that that's all over, I have learned to both cope with stress and keep myself out of situations like that, and I no longer have any symptoms of a mental health problem, but I want to know if this history will make it hard or impossible for me to get into a nursing program.

Please help me and tell me what I'd have to do, if anything.

Thank you. :)

[mangopeach]

The only thing I think you need to do is focus on staying healthy. Having a history of a mental health problems does not mean you can't be a nurse. I can tell you on my physical form that had to be completed that there was a question that asked about mental health history and whether or not that condition would prevent the student from doing the program. As long as your condition is under control, and your doctor can answer honestly, it should not be a problem.

Also, I'm not sure if all schools specifically ask about mental health issues. Mine did, but the key thing was whether or not that problem would prevent the student from doing the program. If a student is well, then no reason the DR. would say no they can't do the program. Just focus on staying healthy.