depression and having a nursing career

Nursing Students General Students

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hello fellow nurses,

well i'm a new member, hoping to find out information and get some advice from this site.

i am suffering from panic attacks/disorder and depression for about a year. however since i'm a first year student, i was just wondering whether this will affect my nursing career as a whole- will they kick me off the course with a mental illness??

i would really love to hear your stories on this topic also

thanks

Specializes in Geriatrics/Family Practice.

If the nursing profession discriminated against people because of depression and mental illness, then there would hardly be anyone working as a nurse. Unless you could cause harm to yourself or others, you're fine. Almost all nurses I know, including myself take antidepressants. I've almost come the the conclusion that "normal" is the minority, and being somewhat mentally off is the majority. Do whatever you need to do, whether it be therapy, medication or both, but don't let this hold you back. Some of the best nurses I've met have issues and I'd trust them with my life. I've suffered from depression forever and when I started nursing school anxiety attacks started, I learned how to meditate and listen to white noise music for relaxation. The anxiety attacks finally went away with only an occassional one, and I put in my white noise music in my laptop or car and deep breath and within minutes I'm good to go. Good luck and just remember you're in with the majority, not the minority.

Specializes in rehab; med/surg; l&d; peds/home care.

Dear Little Miss Sunshine,

I too suffer from severe depression, PTSD, anxiety/panic, and several other things, but I am also disabled and not able to work, so this has really worsened my depression.

I tried to PM you, but there is no link, and I am logged in. I don't know if you chose not to have people private message you?? I would gladly discuss these issues in private, but not out in public on the forum. I hope you can understand my hesitation. If you'd like to talk to me, please click on my name, then click on private message and send me a note (if you wish).

There are ways of controlling these issues and still being able to work. I worked for nearly 11 years before becoming disabled, and most of those years I was able to control it. I wish you the best of luck in your career, and I hope you contact me to talk about this further!!!

Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

i also suffer from anxiety and depression. i work full time as a RN and wish i could work more over time, but somedays i just can't. so i do my 3 days 12 hour shifts 36 and luckily get paid 40. i need to find a less stressful job to pick up another day. it is horrible to suffer from depression and anxiety, but i muddle through. actually most of the nurses i work with suffer from depression and anxiety ( so i am not alone ) lol ...we talk about it at work and helps, it's nice to have support. i take medication and it really helps. i wish you luck in the future and you can do it. give yourself a big hug for me...

thankyou for replying back, my self harming has come back too, although its scary to admit it. i am very concerned over what will become of me and basically i didnt tell anybody even occie health before starting the course.almost a year now, i realise that if i dont recieve help soon enough, i could end up killing myself. i am very ashamed about my illness(s) and find it really hard to talk to someone because of my lack of trust towards people. funnily enough, back in my first placement, i remember getting good reports only because i listened and acted upon ppls concerns, even though i was going through i tough time myself.

however, is there still chance for me to become a successful nurse?? even when i'm now self harming?

Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.
thankyou for replying back, my self harming has come back too, although its scary to admit it. i am very concerned over what will become of me and basically i didnt tell anybody even occie health before starting the course.almost a year now, i realise that if i dont recieve help soon enough, i could end up killing myself. i am very ashamed about my illness(s) and find it really hard to talk to someone because of my lack of trust towards people. funnily enough, back in my first placement, i remember getting good reports only because i listened and acted upon ppls concerns, even though i was going through i tough time myself.

however, is there still chance for me to become a successful nurse?? even when i'm now self harming?

you need to see someone if you are self harming. you need to go see someone as soon as possible. your health is most important. don't be ashamed ... have you ever recieved conuseling? if not please go.

Specializes in Geriatrics/Family Practice.

When you self harm are you talking about cutting, suicidal ideations or what? Not that you asked my opinion but if any of the two above are part of the problem I hope you are getting serious help. Whatever if anything that happened in your past to cause this behavior needs to be addressed. You have got to be a good person if you want to go into nursing and help people, but first and foremost you must take care of you. You deserve whatever help is available because mental illness is not something you should suffer with alone, get help and vent and learn new coping mechanisms. I wish you the best of luck in your health and healing and hope that one day I will see RN or LPN after your name.

it hard to explain why i'm back onto self-harming, if you have been through it yourself i guess u cud understand. i admit, its not normal and in fact the only thing i think about when i'm harming myself is that 'its all my fault' and that i deserved it, i dont feel the pain because i'm already hurt.

trouble is i'm still frightened of talking to people about it, or mentioning it to uni. so wat option am i left with?

with all the workload and pressure of passing this course, i feel i cant cope, but then i have nothing to look forward to....

Having a mental illness is not a barrier to becoming a nurse. I am bipolar, have PTSD, anxiety attacks, etc. My nursing instructors know of my condition and have been amazingly supportive. I even had to take some time off school in order to get treatment, and I will return in January.

With regard to self harm, I am so sorry you are having a hard time with this. YOU MUST take care of yourself before you can be of service to others. Please reach out for help, whether it be from your nursing instructors, your doctor, or any mental health professional.

Many times when our illness becomes worse, it's because we are under a lot of stress and feel that we don't have the time to take care of ourselves. Nursing school might be what is triggering your high stress level, thus leading to your self harm. If this is true in your case, it is better to take some time off to take of you than to ignore your symptoms. Perhaps even talking to a therapist regularly can help you to understand your triggers and help you get back on track without having to leave your program.

Please, please, please get help ASAP!

Love,

Adri

I was just coming here to post this exact thing.

My anxiety issues get worse when faced with a presentation in class, or when asked a question which I have to respond to in front of the class- it gives me panic attacks.

I have just restarted antidepressants and anti anxiety meds, but I feel so overwelmed and I am just hating nursing school... which I hate to admit after working so hard to get there.

Nearly everyday we are made to speak to the class, and my anxiety is to the point that I can't even speak... I have been known to cry, and my face turns bright red. I get sweaty, my hands shake. It's so embarrassing and it seems my teachers thinks that if I can't do this, I can't be a nurse. I have tried to explain to her that it is the situation that is causing it and I highly doubt I will have issues being in the room with a patient, or speaking to a family. She just doesn't understand and it is making me hate ever starting nursing school.

They have begun to make me believe I just can't do it. It's only the 3rd week and I come home and cry every day... not to mention the one or two times I cry during school.

I know I can do nursing as a profession- but how will I ever get there if I can't manage school?

I am glad to know I am not alone in this, as I feel I am the only one most of the time...

Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.

being a student is very stressful and that seems to magnify "panic, anxiety etc" during my last semester i went to the dr. and i was prescribed medication. it helped so much. we need to know how to take care of our selves as well as our patients.

just remember. all the students in your class feel the same way. speaking in front of a group is very hard. i just remind my self that every one hates it. take a deep breath and get it over... just bring it down to what it is. just another hoop you have to jump through to get to the end result…. you’re rn degree. adn programs are like boot camp, you will never be subjected to some thing like this again in your career as a nurse. seek counseling, see the doctor, and do one day at a time. keep your eye on the ball.

best of luck!!!

i'd like to say, i have taken a first step to recieving some help following another panic attack earlier today.but this time, it all happened at uni and i was sooo embarrased and they even called the ambulance and everyone was looking!!!

anyway, since my lecturer was there, he offered to give me time out from the course, and a good friend of mine supported me through the attack. my gp has also referred me to a CPN, finally i feel i'm getting somewhere. and yes im not gunna let it beat me (fingers crossed) even though i'm soo scared to talk about it.

i really apprieciate all of your comments and advice all the same.

- cherry2, i can soo empathise with you, but iv faith that we can get over this. i hope you are also seeking help. i feel there are people that will put us down and maybe enjoy putting us down but i also feel that there are many people in this small world that would really like to help you, you only need to find the 'right' person that can help u.

i will keep u guys posted on how it all goes. thanks

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