How to answer license renewal question about mental health issues?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Renewing,

Every state is different, but essentially, they ask,

"Have you ever been diagnosed with, do you have, or have you had a physical, mental, emotional, or psychiatric condition that might affect your ability to safely practice as a nurse?"

It's formulated as a yes or no question. If you have been diagnosed with depression, for example, but it doesn't affect your ability to practice safely, answer No.

Disclosing mental illness is personal unless you ask for an accommodation.

[Sam121]

Nurse Beth said:

Dear Renewing,

Every state is different, but essentially, they ask,

"Have you ever been diagnosed with, do you have, or have you had a physical, mental, emotional, or psychiatric condition that might affect your ability to safely practice as a nurse?"

It's formulated as a yes or no question. If you have been diagnosed with depression, for example, but it doesn't affect your ability to practice safely, answer No.

Disclosing mental illness is personal unless you ask for an accommodation.

I have several questions about this very interesting topic:

1.  Is it about currently having an ongoing mental illness with or without treatment....that needs to be answered with a --- Yes?

Can someone who was previous diagnosed with a medical illness such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, schizoaffective, schizophrenia, borderline disorder, etc....but is currently OK....Can that be answered with a ---- No?

Thanks for your response.

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Sam Mathews said:

Dear Nurse Beth:

I have several questions about this very interesting topic:

1.  Is it about currently having an ongoing mental illness with or without treatment....that needs to be answered with a --- Yes?

Can someone who was previous diagnosed with a medical illness such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, schizoaffective, schizophrenia, borderline disorder, etc....but is currently OK....Can that be answered with a ---- No?

Thanks for your response.

If the question includes the qualifier "that might affect your ability to safely practice as a nurse," you can answer No (if that's the case).

Every state BON has its version of the question, but federal ADA laws protecting employees with disabilities are strong. You do not have to disclose a disability unless you request workplace accommodation.

But the most important thing is to answer truthfully without disclosing information that is not asked.