Psychiatric Background Check For First Degree BSN

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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

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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.

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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!

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

Love, NR

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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.

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Anoetos,

Lol to the first comment.

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

Love, NR

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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.

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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 ...

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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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