My crazy psych history coming back to haunt me?

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Sep 3, 2011

I have an extensive psych history. Between the ages of 12-20 I was probably hospitalized around thirty times on various psych units. Even if said hospital didn't have a psych unit, they probably saw me in the ER quite a bit.
I guess I'm wondering whether this is why I'm having such a hard time getting hired onto a hospital? Obviously, it could be for other things but I often wonder whether I'll ever get a hospital job because I'm mostly known as the crazy frequent-flyer? (For what it's worth -- it's been 5+ years since I was last in the system.)

First question- are you applying at the hospital where you were a patient? If so, you might want to start elsewhere (and show a steady employment history- then if you want to try again, you have a positive work history).

Second question- are you realistic about what you can do (none of my business- and I respect that...but some disorders are going to be stressful enough in and of themselves without a crazy stressful job :) You can PM me if you want !

Third question- did you have to disclose any of your psych information to get your license ? There is a big difference between PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar, borderline personality, etc. I can't and won't give medical advice, but if you want to bounce things off of someone, I'm willing to "listen" :)

Lastly- everybody is having trouble getting jobs- it's not just you, so your psych history may have absolutely nothing to do with not getting a job offer. How much do you tell people when you apply? Unless they ask point blank questions, do not let them know about your psych past. If they do ask, do not lie. IF they feel that you don't fit with the job description, it's because of generalizations - and it's not personal (and I understand that's hard to hang on to when it feels personal ).

Hang in there- and if you want to PM, and let me know how I can be of some support :):heartbeat I'm not a therapist, or able to give advice- but I'm an open ear :up:

caliotter3 · Sep 3, 2011

Why don't you decide to pack up your car and head on out in a different direction? Then, when you get there, do not disclose anything about your history that is not necessary to reach your goals of a job and a nice place to live. Sometimes, relocating is what is necessary to get beyond the rumor and gossip mills. Good luck.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Sep 3, 2011

Why don't you decide to pack up your car and head on out in a different direction? Then, when you get there, do not disclose anything about your history that is not necessary to reach your goals of a job and a nice place to live. Sometimes, relocating is what is necessary to get beyond the rumor and gossip mills. Good luck.

Yeah, that's a good point. Sort of reinvent yourself as a healthy nurse (and if you need help w/therapy, do it- just don't talk about it with just anybody :)).

I'm still not sure that your psych history is the issue with the job search- it could be, but everybody is having a hard time getting a job. :twocents:

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Sep 5, 2011

cali - I can't really just pick up and leave. I'm married. We bought a house in the area recently -- not to mention that my husband has a very good job in this area with a fairly industry-specific company. He brings in quite a bit of money and has great benefits. *knocks on wood!* :/

xtxrn -- Thanks for the words of encouragement. I do know that a lot of people are having a hard time finding jobs...I just feel a little bit paranoid, y'know? I definitely do not talk about my psych history with potential employers or people who might possibly know potential employers. I'm also trying to stay away from the hospitals where I had the majority of my psych hospitalizations. (I actually have a fairly steady employment record going back seven years. Which, being only 25, I'd like to think is pretty decent? I didn't have any long-term hospitalizations and the few gaps that I have are due to schooling and/or moving across country.)

Thankfully, I did not have to disclose any psych stuff either on my nursing school application or for my RN license. (Although I know friends who had to in other states/schools -- and got denied.) And I have no involuntary hospitalizations so they shouldn't show on a regular background check?

I actually feel pretty confident about my life right now. I think I actually do best with a highly structured day/life. And I'm realistic that I know I'll never be able to do inpatient psych nursing, which is where a lot of my school peers who didn't graduate with a job ended up because it does hit close to home.

Anyway, I'm getting pretty long-winded here so I'll quit. But thanks to both of you for the support!

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Sep 8, 2011

How are you doing? Any job leads? :)

reg.nurse · Sep 9, 2011

I have an extensive psych history. Between the ages of 12-20 I was probably hospitalized around thirty times on various psych units. Even if said hospital didn't have a psych unit, they probably saw me in the ER quite a bit.
I guess I'm wondering whether this is why I'm having such a hard time getting hired onto a hospital? Obviously, it could be for other things but I often wonder whether I'll ever get a hospital job because I'm mostly known as the crazy frequent-flyer? (For what it's worth -- it's been 5+ years since I was last in the system.)

I share the same fear. I have not been hospitalized so much, but I have been. The ER, me too. Psych today, is not the psych of yesterday. Prior to starting nursing school, I finally found a medication that worked. I could actually get out of my bed and get further than my couch. For the first time in my life, I felt happy I think anyway. I remember 3 days after taking the med as I was driving, I sat and thought OMG is this happy, am I experiencing happy?

Anyway, I fear the same thing. Someone will recognize me or something. I think it should be looked upon as a good thing that people seek help. For instance, one of my hospitalizations I just said check me in because I am really depressed and I know I get to a point and I was to the point where I was thinking is this worth it, I could make it stop, but I had not gone "THERE" yet. Preventative medicine.

Glad I am not alone, but I know your fear?

indigonurse · Sep 9, 2011

Might help to talk to a professional counselor and get their opinion on the matter. You might need some support and guidance to let go of your past so you can go forward with your nursing career.

Jules A, MSN · Sep 9, 2011

I doubt they have knowledge of your history because unless you are applying to a unit where the actual NM knows you it would be a violation for HR to search for your medical records. Good luck to you and congratulations on moving forward with your life.

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2011

How are you doing? Any job leads? :)

I'm doing well enough, I suppose. I've been doing private duty peds for about three months now. (The fall back job of new grads who can't find hospital jobs!) Picked up some extra shifts doing flu shot clinics because we need the money. Not many new hospital jobs opening up. I keep reminding myself that my husband and I would like to start a family soon and the make-your-own-hours IS probably the one advantage of doing what I do now. :) Thanks for asking!

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2011

Glad I am not alone, but I know your fear?

Nope! Not alone by any means -- I'm sure there are plenty of us out there, y'know? But we all struggle with keeping our pasts a secret which makes connecting with others difficult. Personally, I hate the stigma but I'm not entirely willing to give up any chance of a successful career to complain. Even "successful" high profile mentally ill folks tend not to come forth until after they've achieved some modicum of that success. So, seeking treatment IS admirable but I don't think I'll see the day where the mentally ill can be as free to tell their stories as, say, breast cancer survivors.

ponywow - Since I made this post, I've actually found that talking to HR-type people and people who do hiring has helped me quite a bit. I think my fears about my past probably (partially) stem from the fact that my father is a fairly well-known, long-time ER doc in the area. I grew up with a very vague line between treatment provider and father; what was doctor-patient privilege and what was just...known. For instance, my sister (who is 23 years old) was recently in the ER where my dad works for back pain. My mom was displeased with what my sister wanted to tell her about what was going on, so she called back, got my sister's nurse, and of course my sister's nurse told her everything after my mom explained the familial connections between her, my sister, and my father the doctor. Massive HIPAA violations and from a nursing perspective I wanted to strangle everyone involved -- but that lack of medical privacy WAS my adolescence and young adulthood.

I was really meant in a very roundabout way to thank Jules A for reinforcing what HR-type friends have been telling me --) that it's illegal to search my medical records. I know that there's the gossip mill, etc., and I would never hold out a sliver of hope of being hired on to the ER where my dad works, but I feel like I needed that reminder that HIPAA laws do exist.