Military Veterans and Nursing. Eligibility

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Hello, I am a nursing student and this is my first post. I believe I could receive a better answer here.

I have a friend currently completing nursing pre-reqs at school with me. He really wants to be a nurse. He is a veteran and spent a considerable amount of time in Iraq. I know he has some anxiety problems for which he receives VA compensation.

He is worried that the Anxiety problem incurred from his service will disqualify him from being a nurse. Especially since he is receiving VA compensation.

I know nurses have to be mentally fit and this man is, but he just has some anxiety issues to work through. I would really like to give him some hope since he is thinking about leaving the curriculum. He would just make too good a nurse.

Any Help with this topic would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you Cheers!:wink2:

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I recommend your friend talk to his va social worker. He/she will have all the legal speak to validate this... he/she will also actually understand your friends 'anxiety' and can provide an accurate answer rather then a best guest for an unknown problem from this website from an anonymous person ;)

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I agree with the previous poster. The VA can help a lot in situations like this.

Good Luck,

Sandy

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Most people do not let medical matters concern them if the problem is being addressed in a manner that allows the person to go about their daily activities. If your friend is bothered enough by his anxiety that he can not pursue his daily life to the fullest, then he should be concerned that he might have a problem with nursing. It sounds as if he needs to have a frank discussion with his treating physician. It would be a shame to drop out if that is not necessary. Please let him know that there are many who work as nurses while taking care of emotional issues and they are successful, or no more distressed than the general public. He should not be discouraged from nursing unless his problem is truly severe. Advise him to speak to his doctor, and give him our best wishes.

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Specializes in ER, ICU cath lab, remote med.

It depends on what Chapter of the MGIB he is using. If he's using Chapter 31 (voc. rehab.), then it is up to the VA to authorize his major. If he's using Chapter 30, he can choose whatever he wants.

If he really wants to pursue nursing, tell him to talk to his VA/voc.rehab counselor (as others have said).

Good luck!

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I think the thread was regarding anxiety or a mental problem affecting that person's ability to attain their RN license despite having been treated for problems - not a funding issue.

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i think that someone who is well acquainted with a person'w own problems can tell them what might be a good career choice

if he really wants to be a nurse and if he can get accepted then i don't see this really being a problem in actural practice

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An example of nurses who have emotional problems but are able to deal with them and continue to work as nurses: those who suffer PTSD from having been assaulted on the job. They are able to deal with their issues and continue pursuing their livelihood. This is not true for all in this category but most are able to continue or come back after a leave of absence. Just try to encourage your friend to seek expert advice before he decides that he can not go into nursing or any other line of work that he might consider. He shouldn't shortchange himself.

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Specializes in ER, ICU cath lab, remote med.
He is worried that the Anxiety problem incurred from his service will disqualify him from being a nurse. Especially since he is receiving VA compensation.

I think the thread was regarding anxiety or a mental problem affecting that person's ability to attain their RN license despite having been treated for problems - not a funding issue.

You may be right...but I was specifically addressing the above reference to "VA compensation". If his VA compensation is through Chapter 31 (which is a disability benefit...possibly r/t his anxiety after serving in Iraq), he may be concerned that they won't approve a major in nursing due to his history of anxiety. They can't stop him from pursuing nursing but they can make him change back to Chapter 30 or pay for it himself. Then again, they might have no problem with it and he can continue in nursing under Chapter 31.

Or maybe I just read way too much into it!

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Most people do not let medical matters concern them if the problem is being addressed in a manner that allows the person to go about their daily activities. If your friend is bothered enough by his anxiety that he can not pursue his daily life to the fullest, then he should be concerned that he might have a problem with nursing. It sounds as if he needs to have a frank discussion with his treating physician. It would be a shame to drop out if that is not necessary. Please let him know that there are many who work as nurses while taking care of emotional issues and they are successful, or no more distressed than the general public. He should not be discouraged from nursing unless his problem is truly severe. Advise him to speak to his doctor, and give him our best wishes.

All of you have been Great. Especially the reader above, this was a great piece of hope. I will make sure to relay this to him. Thanx for all the responses.:nuke:

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