Psychiatric Background Check For First Degree BSN

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

Hello All,

I plan to apply to the nursing school at my university next year. A little under a year ago, I tried to kill myself. Will having this on my health records affect my ability to be accepted into a nursing program/become a licensed nurse? How extensive is the psychological testing/background check that they do before you can get accepted into a school? Will the information that I tried to commit suicide even be available to the school/future employers?

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, NR

I don't think that would be a problem. There are no psychological tests required that I have heard of. You just need to have your physician sign off on the physical. You can always contact the school and see what they require upon admission.

I don't believe this should be a problem unless you are currently being treated for severe clinical depression, then that might be a problem. There is no psych test to get into nursing school, however, for my school you do have to turn in a medical report AFTER you have been accepted.

On the medical report that I have to turn in for nursing school, included on the list of things that my doctor has to check off is whether or not I have been treated for a mental/emotional disorder in the last 5 years. She just has to check yes or no. It does not go into detail. Also on the form, is a question asking if there are conditions that may interfere with your function to perform

Another question asks Do you endorse this person as being physically and emotionally capable of pursuing a nursing career. If not why?

I don't know what other schools do. Be well and good luck!

Thanks so much! It's really encouraging to know that there's no in-depth psychological background check etc.

Love, NR

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

If there were a psych exam for nursing school, they'd be empty. We're all a little unhinged.

Don't worry about it, and I hope you are doing better.

BTW, great name, "War and Peace" is justly considered by many to be the greatest novel ever written.

Anoetos,

Lol to the first comment.

And agreed on "War and Peace". It's my favorite novel :)

Love, NR

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

My favorite novel is "The Magic Mountain" by Thomas Mann. It's about a guy who goes to visit his cousin in a TB asylum in Switzerland and ends up staying for seven years. Great book.

If there were a psych exam for nursing school, they'd be empty. We're all a little unhinged.

Yes -- if there were some sort of psychological screening process for nursing, there really would be a shortage ...

If there were a psych exam for nursing school, they'd be empty. We're all a little unhinged.

...

True. I became unhinged from the application process, LOL! That is why my handle here is STREAMLINE. I applied to 6 schools, and that was very unhinging for me. :D

OP, don't volunteer information. If they do find out, they will probably consider it a one-time problem that was corrected.

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