Paranoid Schizophrenia and Nursing

[studentenurse]

Can someone with paranoid schizophrenia work as a cna or rn (get licensed) in nj? It is not so severe. No hallucinations. Mostly paranoia and non-violent. No criminal history. If so, would the person have a problem if they decide to move to another state and work as a nurse? I have searched the web and could not find much info on this. I have seen here that some people with bipolar are working as a nurse and another where someone with a less severe form of schizophrenia was a nursing student. Does anyone know where I can find information on this?

[elkpark]

Situations like the one you describe are handled on an individual, case-by-case basis by the state BONs, so I'm not sure what "information" would be available besides talking directly to the appropriate BON. They will want to know whether or not someone is safe to practice -- like asking for a written statement from the treating physician/professional that the person is stable on medication and able to practice safely. There's not any psychiatric disorder that automatically eliminates someone from nursing, as far as I know -- it depends entirely on the individual and her/his particular situation.

Best wishes!

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I think that with the approval of the treating psychiatrist it would be fine. I'd also recommend doing a CNA course before the RN so all the basic care is second nature, and the RN program is less stressful.

FYI paranoid delusions are common among nursing students toward instructors (at least when I went to school they were) so if you feel like everyone is against you, know that everyone else feels the same way. Good luck.

[studentenurse]

Thank you!

[mdsrn2k]

While nursing is a rewarding career, it is also quite stressful. School is very stressful. You are asked to learn clinical procedures and demonstrate them back to the instructor, usually more than once. For example inserting a catheter into someones bladder, using sterile technique.

There are many different personalities to "deal" with at the clinical sights, which include hospitals, and long term care facilities. Some older nurses like to make the students lives miserable. Some nurses look at students as a bother.

At the same time you also take non-clinical nursing classes and are tested on the content.

May I suggest going to school instead to be a dental assistant, or as the other person suggested try a CNA course and see how you like working directly with patients. As a CNA instructor, I must tell you that passing the clinical skills part of the CNA course is not easy.

Good luck.

[Mom3g1d78]

Hi I am going to go to school to be a nurse. I started college a few years ago now I want to finish. I got sick and spent several years getting electro shock therapy. Now I have been stable a year no ect. I am finally on the right medicine and right treatment. I have schizoaffective, borderline personality, and add. My counselor, case manager and psychiatrist agree that I can do this. I'm just waiting to get on non stimulant add medicine cause I had to quit college before I was on Adderall and having many hallucinations. Does anyone else have these yet stable and working as a nurse? Thank you.