Need help/questions answered

Jules A, MSN · Dec 30, 2008

Hey Brian,

Welcome! People that have been treated for mental illness are not, to the best of my knowledge, in any way excluded from working as nurses. Heck if you took out every nurse I know on antidepressants my facility would be virtually empty. :) If you are doing well on your meds and are committed to taking them as prescribed I don't see a major problem. Being a LPN might be a nice spot for you although it can be stressful depending on where you work but it also can be very rewarding. VAs in my area do hire LPNs often. Sadly there can be a lot of drama in nursing if you allow yourself to be sucked into it. Its tempting but do yourself and your team mates a favor and avoid any gossip like the plague. Good luck and check out the LPN section here for more information. Jules

Trauma Columnist · Dec 30, 2008

Hi Brian and welcome. You seem to have put a lot of thought into this decision. Taking advantage of vo-ed via the VA is a wonderful idea. I think I would discuss your plans with your therapist/psychiatrist and those that know you well to get some more personal insight. Nursing, be it LPN or RN is very stressful and can certainly involve drama. This is not to say don't do it, but just to make sure you are up to it.

I wanted to also thank you for your service.

lucky1RN · Dec 30, 2008

This is only my opinion (and you know what they say about opinions...).

Nursing can be so very stressful and FILLED with drama. If you don't do well in drama-filled environments, it might not be the best career for you.

HOWEVER, I cannot speak from the specific viewpoint that you ask for...I'm not an LPN. And, I don't have any mental illness so I cannot give you that perspective either.

I can tell you, from personal experience, that if you're going to use Voc. Rehab. to pay for school, they will have to approve your program. This will likely involve a clearance letter from a physician stating that you are mentally/physically capable of completing your chosen program/career. So consider if that will be possible.

Have you tried shadowing an LPN at a nearby medical facility...even the VA? Spending a day (or more) with a real, working nurse might give you a better idea of what to expect than any of us can through a web forum.

Have you started the Voc. Rehab. process yet? They will give you an aptitude test which along with your Voc. Rehab. counselor's advice might help guide you to your best education/career options.

As far as finding a job...read through these forums and you'll see that a number of new grads are recently posting their difficulty finding positions in the current economy.

On a personal note, congratulations on successfuly tackling your illness, and continuing to seek methods to stay healthy. Good luck!

unclebriz · Dec 30, 2008

This is only my opinion (and you know what they say about opinions...).
Nursing can be so very stressful and FILLED with drama. If you don't do well in drama-filled environments, it might not be the best career for you.
HOWEVER, I cannot speak from the specific viewpoint that you ask for...I'm not an LPN. And, I don't have any mental illness so I cannot give you that perspective either.
I can tell you, from personal experience, that if you're going to use Voc. Rehab. to pay for school, they will have to approve your program. This will likely involve a clearance letter from a physician stating that you are mentally/physically capable of completing your chosen program/career. So consider if that will be possible.
Have you tried shadowing an LPN at a nearby medical facility...even the VA? Spending a day (or more) with a real, working nurse might give you a better idea of what to expect than any of us can through a web forum.
Have you started the Voc. Rehab. process yet? They will give you an aptitude test which along with your Voc. Rehab. counselor's advice might help guide you to your best education/career options.
As far as finding a job...read through these forums and you'll see that a number of new grads are recently posting their difficulty finding positions in the current economy.
On a personal note, congratulations on successfuly tackling your illness, and continuing to seek methods to stay healthy. Good luck!

Thanks! How do I go about shadowing? Who should I contact in the hospital for something like like because that would be ideal for proof to my VA counselor.:wink2:

unclebriz · Dec 30, 2008

Thank you all. Can I share your comments with my counselor?

via a link of course :)

Butterfliesnroses · Dec 30, 2008

I'm an aide in a LTC facility. The place I work at is small and so it seems as if we are all in a soap opera. Everyone talks about he said, she said stuff. I've gotten into my share of arguments. But I try to be as professional as possible and not let the drama bother me. The most important part is keeping your head about you. If you feel yourself feeling frustrated take a break! Give yourself 5. Get your head back and then go deal with the situation...unless of course it's an emergency...then deal with it and then go get your thoughts together. Just this aides 2 cents.

lucky1RN · Dec 30, 2008

Thanks! How do I go about shadowing? Who should I contact in the hospital for something like like because that would be ideal for proof to my VA counselor.:wink2:

I would call the Human Resources department at local healthcare facilities and see if anyone is willing to make arrangements with you.

growing777 · Dec 30, 2008

I am an RN and work in a Peds ICU. I am also a retired AF Reserve nurse. I also have been diagnosed with major depression, PTSD, and borderline personality traits. I am on psych meds and doing well. I also see a therapist regularly, which definitely helps me learn better ways to cope with the BS and drama at work. I have never been an inpatient in a psych facility, but have been very close to being admitted. I don't have to report anything to my employer, not even the reason I was out on disability for three months. It was medical leave based on a doctor's evaluation. That's all I had to disclose. No one needs to know I'm on meds.

I have learned to keep out of the drama at work by focusing on my patients and ignoring the gossip or even speaking out against it when people are gossiping around me. Then I go home and leave work at work. I have a life outside of work, and I keep myself busily occupied with many other things. I figure I have enough drama in my own life that I don't need the c**p that goes on at work piled on.

I also work with an LPN who is bipolar and on meds. She has had to leave work on a bad day from time to time when her symptoms were overwhelming, but she is a good nurse and has worked there for more than 20 years. She gives good, competent care, and I am proud to work with her.

Get whatever help you need, and don't let the military scare you off from pursuing your dream. You've probably learned better than most civilians how to deal with workplace politics. You made it through boot camp, you can do this, too.

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2008

these are some very good responses. but what some people have left out are the questions on many states applications to take the nclex. the following is a quote from the texas bon website.. these are questions on the application.

"are you currently the target or subject of a grand jury or governmental agency investigation?

has any licensing authority refused to issue you a license or ever revoked, annulled, cancelled, accepted surrender of, suspended, placed on probation, refused to renew a license, certificate or multi-state privilege held by you now or previously, or ever fined, censured, reprimanded or otherwise disciplined you?

within the past five (5) years have you been addicted to and/or treated for the use of alcohol or any other drug?

within the past five (5) years have you been diagnosed with, treated, or hospitalized for schizophrenia and/or psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, paranoid personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or borderline personality disorder?"

if it has been longer than 5 years, you are safe. if not then you'll have to explain to the board your history and the details behind everything. this is a patient safety issue and the board is asking these questions specifically for patient safety, because afterall... that is why they are here. don't let them find out later on that you lied on your initial app, they will put you through the ringer.

the other posters are correct when they say nursing is very dramatic, can be stressful (if you let it!) and sometimes can be hard work. however, it is a very rewarding career. good luck in finding your decision!

angelique777 · Dec 30, 2008

Its really something you have to decide. Only you know if this is going to interfer with your work. I can tell you that nursing is a tough profession and a nurse is subject to a lot of abuse at times,although not always, depending where you work. I can say as a floor nurse the abuse has been heavy. From co-workers who personalities are extremely demanding at times ( you can see post by other nurses who discuss bullying at the work place) , some nurses say from providers (In that area I have not experienced to much abuse I have a good rappor with my providers there is always one or too who I could live with out) (see post from nurses about being yelled at by doctors ) abuse from patients who sometimes from being sick are abusive and some times because they are addicts and have abusive manipulative behaviors and then there is always from management who you want to believe or supportive but who can hang you out to dry.

If you feel your past medical problems of depression and paranoia can withstand the on slaught from all these area than you know if you can pursue the career or not. You have to have a clear seperation as to when your own personal weakness are kicking in and when your are on target about what your are perceiving I think this is a key point. Conducting your self as a professional and being a safe practitioner also key to nursing and key to your choices that you make.

If you become a nurse the work environment you choose can also be important. Some times working enviroment makes a difference. In another job I have as a nurse I work in a clinic setting and although at times people can become difficult it not half as bad as a hospital setting. Therefore more tolerable and I definitely feel in the clinic setting I am helping others as well. The clinic setting is my happy place while my hospital job is the place I go to challenge my self.

So, if you can endure nursing professors that is your first hurdle( you can read what nursing students have to say about them and how nurses eat there young lol) this is something you have to know about so you dont develop paranoia so to speak because I believe its just part of a culture and process you have to endure to make it through school.(see nursing student forums so you can see what they experience) It unfortunate that other nurses can be tough on you but reading about what others experience is key to knowing negative stuff exist and that with alot of patience , perserverance and not taking stuff to heart many of us has survived it to live and tell about it lol So why not you. You can one day tell us of your over coming it too. So to answer you question why not only you know your self and know what you want to subject your self too.

However you and only you know if you have over come your own personal problems in order for you to safely help others and be clear enough to know when you would have to step away. Now a days who has not suffered from some depression or paranoia. Todays society full of consipiracy theories etc. The key here is patient safety and if you can function as a safe practioner and not take to heart all the abuse that occurs in this profession and if you can also not internalize it so that it does not take a toll on you emotionally then this is the hurdle you need to ask your self if you can do.

The past is the past how are you today how much can you handle today. This is the key question for you. Look always for an work situation that can maintain quality of living for your self and still allow you the energy to help others in a safe manageable way.

I wish you the best I think your right a career that takes you away from your self and helping others is always a great direction to go. I wish you the best in your search

Angela

unclebriz · Dec 30, 2008

within the past five (5) years have you been diagnosed with, treated, or hospitalized for schizophrenia and/or psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, paranoid personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or borderline personality disorder?"

seems as though this makes things harder. i have been stable for years. however, i have been hospitalized in the last 5 years. maybe just give up because my counselor will see this and tell me no.

thanks for the information though.

brian