Need Help ASAP...Could seeing a psycologist effect my nursing license?

[skittlebear]

I am suffering the greif of an immediate family member that is in the CCU...and I don't think my family member is going to make it out of this. I have decided to take the first BIG step in admitting I need to see a physcologist, counselor, or just someone professional to talk with. I am planning on doing this today.

I have read from this website that states the following:

http://www.life123.com/health/stress-management/therapy/deciding-between-types-of-therapy.shtml

Be aware though, that in order to submit claims for approval, your therapist will need to report a diagnosis to the insurance company and sometimes your employer, if your insurance is employer provided.

My insurance is covered under my employer and I fear that they will dislose a diagnosis of some sort, that will cause my employer to either look down on me, find an excuse to get rid of me, or find me unfit emotionally to work (which is how I'm feeling now). It's hard for me to take care of patients if I don't feel like I can emotionally take care of myself at the moment. I am on FMLA from my job due to this issue...I had my family members doctor sign off an FMLA sheet. I'm not entirely familiar with FMLA as I've never had to do this, but it's my understanding that this protects a person legally if he/she has to miss work for a prolonged period of time. I have many hours in sick and vaction time at the moment. I rarely called in sick before...but now I feel the strong need to do so. I have already missed a week and a half of work just due to HOPING my family member will get better (they are in ICU), and crying and just feeling hopeless and helpless. I don't think it's fair for the patients I work for to have someone so emotional themselves taking care of them and I don't think I can provide adequate care in my emotional state at this time. Sometimes I feel strong and will go on in to work...but other times (like today) I just found out more terrible news about my family member and don't feel like I can go to work.

I am worried because my employer is experiencing a severe budget shortage and has already told all of us nurses that we have to decrease our work hours tremendously. At first I was angry when they told us this...but now I'm just at least thankful that I have a job in todays economy! There are hardly any LPN nursing jobs where I live, which is kind of scary. Everyones cutting back on hours, or laying people off right and left. I cannot afford to lose my job at this time.

I have told my employer my family situation, but I have not disclosed to them the need to see a physcologist...even though I'm taking so much time off. One supervisor seems supportive, but the others seem to make me FEEL as though I'm abusing my FMLA. No, they haven't told me this. It's just the way they ACT (just factual without emotion). I had a strong bond with most of my co-workers and were good friends with a few...I feel like I'm letting them down though because they are having to pick up my slack because I'm not working. One part of me feels guilty for not working, and another part of me feels like "screw them. I'm going through a lot right now and if they are angry with me then well..just srew 'em." They don't tell me their angry, but I can sense their lack of understanding while working a few days in between being off. Everyone knows about my family member...some people will ask, while others just don't even mention it. I guess I'm feeling so guilty for not working, angry, sad...just a mixture of emotions here. Does anyone have any suggestions? Especially regarding the issue of whether or not a therapist will disclose "a diagnosis" to my employer and if this can HURT me rather the HELP me? Thanks you all for listening.

[skittlebear]

Anyone?

[lucianne]

Seeing a therapist or psychologist will not affect your nursing license. A therapist will not disclose a diagnosis directly to your employer, but has to provide some sort of diagnosis to your insurance company for coverage. I'm sorry, I can't help you with your other questions because I'm not 100% sure of the answers.

I wish you the best during this difficult time and hope you find peace and healing.

[medsurgrnco, BSN, RN]

If you feel you need to see a therapist or psychologist to help you through this difficult time, then do it. It would look worse to your employer for you to attempt to work and not be able to work effectively than to get help. An employer in most states can terminate your employment for any reason or without cause.

[inthesky]

First of all, my best to your family at an extremely painful time. Secondly, would you even conceive about being fired if you put in a claim to see a doctor for a stomach ulcer? Mental health is extremely misunderstood. Mental health is filed in your medical records and is protected under HIPPA. Thirdly, the concept of going to a counselor for grief is actually rather mainstream. A number of my non-mental health non-medical affiliated friends who would recommend mental health grief counselors to others without any hint or encouragement from me.

I think seeing a grief counselor is an excellent move and an action of strength. Please reach out without worry of retribution.

[RochesterRN-BSN, BSN, RN]

Your employer has absolutely no right to hold anything against you here! You are doing what you need to do to get through a hard time. First of all it's none of their business what goes on in your personal life.......not like you're out walking the streets doing street drugs! lol Like another poster said mental health is the same as any other illness and on top of that is sounds like your depression and/or anxiety is situational. I am a psych nurse and I will tell you that I have had a number of professionals come through--nurses, doctors, a parole officer recently, teachers..... it happens.....just because you are a nurse doesn't make you less vulnerable to the same things as any other person....hell nurses are often over worked and stressed....you take care of yourself and get what you need. To hell with them, they need to be supportive and encouraging in this hard time and is they choose not to I would go the human resources department.......they can't harrass you about this or let you go for it either. Their are laws against this type of behavior--if you want the actual laws in your hand I would call the mental hygiene services for your state.

Take care and I'm sorry you are going through such a hard time.

[PeachyERNurse, BSN, RN]

Does your hospital have an employee assistance program (EAP)? At mine, you're allowed up to 3 confidential sessions with psych provider that won't even go in our computer record, so no one will know. Everyone needs help every once in a while. And I wouln't care what anyone thought while I waas getting the help I needed. Good luck to u.

[Jules A, MSN]

Hi,

I'm sorry you are going through a hard time and think you are wise to seek counseling. I've always paid out of pocket for my mental health expenses. Call me paranoid but I'm more comfortable doing it that way. That said I know of plenty of nurses that see psychiatrists and are on medication without any problems and it certainly won't effect your license. Wish you all the best.

[TsavarenaRN]

As a new nurse in psych I was already anxious/stressed. Also suffering from marriage problems. Started seeing a therapist 3 months ago, using my company's insurance plan. I am even taking some controlled substances prescribed to me; Adderall, Tranxene, and Ambien, as well as Prozac.

I researched this with the outpatient facility that I go to and was told that my insurance company has no legal right to disclose anything concerning my medical information to my employeer unless I give them explicit written permission, or tell them myself, which I have no intention of doing. I even work with my therapist as he works part time at my facility, we maintain a professional nurse/doctor relationship all the same. He assured me up front in my first visit that legally everything is entirely confidential unless I decide to share my own information.

I avoid taking the Tranxene and Ambien during working hours, but take my Adderall and Prozac regularly. But I do keep a copy of filled scripts from my pharmacy in the glove box of my car as proof of prescription just in case of those random drug screens. And even so, my employer has no right no know why I am taking the medication. I've been able to become more focused at work and attain confidence and a better attitude with my therapy and meds. I just use my own judgement as to when to take the sedative meds so that my judgement is not impaired.

So unless these laws vary by state, which I believe are covered under HIPPA and should be the same, there is no reason for you to deny yourself the emotional/mental help you need. Needing emotional help is just the same as if you acquired some medical problem or sickness. Your employeer has no legal right to know your personal medical business unless it begins to affect your nursing judgement.

[wellseasoned]

:prdnrs:I'm sorry you're having to deal with all this. I went through a similar situation. WHAT i LEARNED IS i HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF, AS YOU ARE DOING. aLSO, THAT i NEED TO HAVE THE INFORMATION TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS. hUMAN rESOURCES IS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE YOU IN SOME MANNER WITH THE GUIDELINES FOR fmla. TRY NOT TO READ PEOPLES MINDS-I'M TERRIBLE ABOUT THAT. yOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY THINKING. aCCEPT THE SUPPORT OFFERED AND LEAVE THE REST. (Sorry about hitting the caps lock button...)

[Jules A, MSN]

As a new nurse in psych I was already anxious/stressed. Also suffering from marriage problems. Started seeing a therapist 3 months ago, using my company's insurance plan. I am even taking some controlled substances prescribed to me; Adderall, Tranxene, and Ambien, as well as Prozac.

I researched this with the outpatient facility that I go to and was told that my insurance company has no legal right to disclose anything concerning my medical information to my employeer unless I give them explicit written permission, or tell them myself, which I have no intention of doing. I even work with my therapist as he works part time at my facility, we maintain a professional nurse/doctor relationship all the same. He assured me up front in my first visit that legally everything is entirely confidential unless I decide to share my own information.

I avoid taking the Tranxene and Ambien during working hours, but take my Adderall and Prozac regularly. But I do keep a copy of filled scripts from my pharmacy in the glove box of my car as proof of prescription just in case of those random drug screens. And even so, my employer has no right no know why I am taking the medication. I've been able to become more focused at work and attain confidence and a better attitude with my therapy and meds. I just use my own judgement as to when to take the sedative meds so that my judgement is not impaired.

So unless these laws vary by state, which I believe are covered under HIPPA and should be the same, there is no reason for you to deny yourself the emotional/mental help you need. Needing emotional help is just the same as if you acquired some medical problem or sickness. Your employeer has no legal right to know your personal medical business unless it begins to affect your nursing judgement.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm sure it will be helpful for someone else. I'm glad you are doing so well and hope it continues.

[NPAlby]

Sounds like you need to take some time off. I think most people would with a family member in the CCU. I'm not sure about HIPPA laws in your state but there usually has to be a signed consent from to have mental health information released to anyone not directly involved in your care. Like many posters have said: Take care of yourself! You have enough to worry about in your family without having to worry about what your co-workers/supervisors think. God bless.