Nurse with mental illness

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Hello All,

I have got admission into the BSN program and school is about to start. I am paying lot of money as out of state student. But, the thing making me nervous is my mental condition. I got the problem last summer. After treatment, I am perfectly normal. I still have to take pills everyday. Doctor said that it was more like schizophrenia. My doctor knows that I am going for Nursing and he doesn't have any problem.

I am still thinking that after spending lot of money and efforts, what happens if they does not give me work. Or does not even let me become registered nurse.

Any thoughts will be appreciated,

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Your concerns are valid. Nursing school is stressful & expensive, and practicing nursing is stressful & very demanding esp. your first year. So please tell your school counselor about this. There are other carreers in the medical field that

might suit you better.

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I would definately check with your state board as that is one of the questions on the application.

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Mental illness is an illness, folks. Are people who are diabetic barred from practicing as nurses? What about those with hypertension? Cancer? HIV? Depression? History of alcoholism?

Like any other illness, if you are managing your illness appropriately, there is no reason your school or the state board of nursing will have any problem with you practicing.

If *I* were you, I would contact the physician who treats your mental illness. Explain your concerns to him. Ask him for advice. Does he recommend monthly office visits, to ensure you are managing your illness well despite the stress of nursing school? Or perhaps he can recommend a support group for people/students/professionals with mental illness?

Welcome to nursing!

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I agree that you should contact the state board. If your condition is completely controlled by meds, and you are stable over the long term, your illness may raise no more concern than any other chronic illness. I think you will need a statement from your doctor.

If however, stress of any type could have been a factor in the original development of your condition, I agree that nursing education may not be for you. I had a student, some time ago, who developed something like psychosis as a result of an uncontrolled medical condition. I think that the intense demands of nursing school exacerbated her problems (late night study, anxiety over skills, etc). Perhaps you should have a heart-to-heart with your doctor, and ask him what to expect regarding long term management of your condition. If there is any chance of recurrance, or if stress is a concern, I suggest you consider another helping or people-oriented profession. Dietetics, social work, education etc, are not necessarily easier, but the curriculum and pace may be more predictable and consistant.

I'd like to add 'tho, that your experience may make you a more compassionate and understanding person, regardless of your ultimate career choice.

Good luck. You sound like you are looking at this realistically!

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Do other state boards *really* ask this? I was only asked certain questions regarding my health for my school physical, but not in the board application!

My state board only asks if you've ever been convicted of a misdemeanor, a felony, if you have criminal action pending against you, in you have an investigation against any license or registration pending, or if you have had any license or registration revoked. It does not ask about health conditions.

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The licensing application in my state asks:

"Do you currently possess any condition which may in any way impair your ability to practice or otherwise alter your behavior as it relates to the practice of professional nursing?"

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Specializes in Med/Surg,OR,Pain Management,Home Health.

Hello cutegalrx,

Welcome to nursing, yes, a very stressful but rewarding career. Mental illness is treatable just like any other illness. However, you have to take care of yourself and follow your doctor's treatment plan exactly. I would suggest also finding yourself a counselor whom you feel comfortable with, preferably a female, only women know how stress really effects us! Take it easy, don't push yourself, take breaks if needed, I once had to take a full month off for anxiety, PTSD, etc, and I resumed studies when I was ready. You can do this, just get a good support system. My prayers and best wishes for you!

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Specializes in LTC.

Nursing school at times makes me a little psychotic ! lol. I'm sorry/ I digress.

One of my friends in NS had a really bad anxiety disorder and she takes meds. So students suffer from major depression. They are still in nursing school. Like the other posters said. Its best to check c- the BON.

I wish you luck, and hopefully you'll do well. Don't let no disorder keep you from pursing your dream. Hugs are being sent your way.

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