Mental Health & Nursing School

Closed Account 12345 · Dec 19, 2019

If you feel an emergency need to seek help for mental health before you harm yourself or others, please do! Yes, the ER can help with emergent mental health crises. Another option is to schedule a primary care or psych appointment if it's less of an urgent matter. Only you know what situation you're in, and your safety comes first.

Sour Lemon · Dec 19, 2019

6 hours ago, Meow278 said:
So sorry I posted this in the wrong forum. I cant think straight right now. I dont know where to put this thread, I have a question though. If I went to the emergency room for depression help and anxiety is that possible to get help there? Will that hurt my chances to get into nursing school? Thank you for any replies.

The ER exists to stabilize immediate threats to one's health or well-being. If you are able to get help in an ER, you'll still need to follow up as an outpatient for ongoing care.
If you have the type of depression and/or anxiety that requires an ER visit, you may not be in the best position to make it through a nursing program successfully- even if you do get accepted.

Take things one step at a time and best wishes to you.

SilverBells, BSN · Dec 19, 2019

It's very possible to get into and make it through nursing school if you have a history of depression and anxiety, even if you have a history of using emergency services. However, to be successful, those issues need to be somewhat managed (I think a lot of nursing students go through periods of depression, anxiety, or both!) whether it be with outpatient therapy, medications, having a good support system, good life/work balance, etc. The ER could help you but depending on your situation, you might be admitted to an inpatient hospital, which could affect your ability to get an application in on time, start the program in a timely manner, etc. There's no reason why this should hinder your ability to eventually become a nurse, but you will want to get any mental health issues under control first as nursing school is very grueling.

Meow278 · Nov 27, 2020

On 12/18/2019 at 11:45 PM, Sour Lemon said:

The ER exists to stabilize immediate threats to one's health or well-being. If you are able to get help in an ER, you'll still need to follow up as an outpatient for ongoing care.
If you have the type of depression and/or anxiety that requires an ER visit, you may not be in the best position to make it through a nursing program successfully- even if you do get accepted.

Take things one step at a time and best wishes to you.

I was actually coming here for different advice but read my old thread and you just confirmed my worst fears. I will have a talk with my therapist but I'm... no words. I didn't go to the ER that day by the way. I just stuck it out myself. I did call the suicide hotline but didn't call them back for the people they wanted to send to me. I don't think I would have hurt myself or anything. I think I felt like I was drowning and I didn't know what else to do. OVER A BOY. ?

Meow278 · Nov 27, 2020

On 12/19/2019 at 11:55 AM, SilverBells said:

It's very possible to get into and make it through nursing school if you have a history of depression and anxiety, even if you have a history of using emergency services. However, to be successful, those issues need to be somewhat managed (I think a lot of nursing students go through periods of depression, anxiety, or both!) whether it be with outpatient therapy, medications, having a good support system, good life/work balance, etc. The ER could help you but depending on your situation, you might be admitted to an inpatient hospital, which could affect your ability to get an application in on time, start the program in a timely manner, etc. There's no reason why this should hinder your ability to eventually become a nurse, but you will want to get any mental health issues under control first as nursing school is very grueling.

I know this was written a while ago but thank you. I am trying to get it managed. Even getting through this last part of the general education courses is grueling. I have to rethink everything.