Hospitalization for depression, how will your nursing license be affected?

Maggie in NC · Jan 1, 2005

Why should a medical condition such as depression effect your license? What nurse/person doesn't suffer from it at some point in their life? Check with your BON but, I doubt seriously there is any impact. Now, your employer may feel differently BUT you should know depression is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act so if they try to take ANY action against you. Keep your paperwork and go see the EEOC-they'll pay for your attorney.

If you are hospitalized for depression will that affect your nursing license?

nursesue06 · Jan 1, 2005

I agree, it should NOT affect anything. Depression is a medical problem that can be treated, so what is the difference between that and any other medical disease process? I agree.....I think all of the nursing students I have met have been going through some serious situational depression. Hang in there!

zenman · Jan 2, 2005

Nurses are like the rest of the population...medically ill, mentally ill, brain damaged, short, tall, fat, skinny, drug addicts, killers, etc.. Only thing I've seen regarding your RN license is a question about psychotic illnesses where your judgement would be severely impaired...more than working several 12 hours shifts in a row, that is.

spaniel · Jan 3, 2005

Hospitalization for depression should not affect your nursing license in any way. While I like to think that employers/human resource departments are well informed re issues like this,I would be careful about disclosure. This is NOT because there is anything to be ashamed of-but unfortunately, things can be misconstrued.

With that said, trusted co-workers can be a blessing. As other writers here have indicated, you surely would not be alone in your experience of depression. The main thing is that you get the help you need and return to work where you will surely be needed.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2005

You're private illnesses are your own business. Unless it has effected your practice and you can't safely function, and/or you've been reported to the BON for being unsafe to practice, there's no need to tell anyone you've been hospitalized for depression unless you choose to.

Best wishes. Take care of yourself.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Jan 3, 2005

The answer is NO.

mattsmom81 · Jan 3, 2005

When I renew my license my BNE specifically asks me if I've been treated for mental illness, among other things.

I know a nurse with bipolar disorder who required hospitalization at one point. She had to submit proof to the BNE from her doctors she was OK to practice...and knew how to manage her illness. The BNE monitored her for awhile and last I heard she was doing OK. :)

oramar · Jan 3, 2005

Check with your BON but, I doubt seriously there is any impact.

If every nurse that suffered from depression at some point called the BON today they would be swamped. Depression is a mood disorder. When the BON asked questions about mental illness they most likely asking about disorders that make a person lose contact with reality. Honestly, I have been depressed in the past. If the question of mental illness came up on a license renewal form I would check NO! It would never occur to me that depression was in the scope of that question. My advice is DON'T call the BON.

Sheba817 · Jan 3, 2005

I have been treated for depression and panic disorder for years. I agree the answer is NO! Also I would NOT contact the BON for this is none of their business unless you are unable to perform your duties.

passing thru · Jan 3, 2005

hERE IS what I have seen happen :

The nurse works in the hospital. She is insured thru the hospital. She has a personal care physician who takes care of her. She gives him all of her life's history and he documents it. She thinks this is privileged information.

She gets sick and goes to the hospital - - the same hospital she works at - - and .........the medical records dept. sends her folder to the unit she is on.

NOW, every nurse on the unit, and frequently her nurse manager are reading her medical history and the info she thought was just between

her and her PCP.

I've seen it happen dozens of times.

oramar · Jan 4, 2005

hERE IS what I have seen happen :
The nurse works in the hospital. She is insured thru the hospital. She has a personal care physician who takes care of her. She gives him all of her life's history and he documents it. She thinks this is privileged information.
She gets sick and goes to the hospital - - the same hospital she works at - - and .........the medical records dept. sends her folder to the unit she is on.
NOW, every nurse on the unit, and frequently her nurse manager are reading her medical history and the info she thought was just between
her and her PCP.
I've seen it happen dozens of times.

The first time I encountered this I was 20 years old and an LPN. Now I am 56 and unfortunately it is still going on. With the new privacy rules it is absolutely illegal. It appears to me that staff do not think that HIPPA rules apply to their fellow employees. This is why I have never had surgery or been admitted to hospital where I work.