what are students obliged to disclose regarding mental heath

[pollywog]

Hi, I posted this question in the students forum, but I think I may get better answers here. I recently began nursing school and have been reading and getting aquainted with nursing policies, mission statements etc... You know everything you all teach at the beginning. I am wondering about what a nurse or nursing student has to disclose regarding his or her mental health (this is often mentioned it seems). For example, if a student has been diagnosed with "major depressive disorder" and has been doing fine for years and is on medication (wellbutrin), does this need to be disclosed? Do I have an obligation to tell my instructors and or the hospital I will be working for? I just like to think ahead. I don't want to be a year down the road and when I take my physical for clinicals and list the medication that I am on and it be a problem. I don't want to ask my instructors because I don't want anyone to have preconcieved opinions about me. I would prefer to keep it to myself especially since I am doing fine and don't see it as a problem personally regarding being a student or a nurse. I would really appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

[Nur_1996]

I think that it is a breech of our rights, to disclose some health info. People who have HIV do not have to disclose it, why should any mentl illness be different? People do have misconceptions about mental health disorders, and lack of understanding does sometimes cause problems.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I think you'll be fine...especially if your depression is medically controlled. Good luck...take care of yourself - that will be the key to your success...judi

[chris_at_lucas_RN, RN]

My understanding is that you are supposed to tell (when asked) the Board or your school, if you have been diagnosed with one of the mental disorders that could make you a higher risk to hurt a patient. There is a list (haven't seen it in a while, don't know where to find it.)

The diagnoses included bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder and psychosis (any kind). A lot of the US takes antidepressants, and many are diagnosed with major depressive disorder. In all honesty, meds are sometimes prescribed because they might help the patient, not because all the diagnostic criteria have been met. But the label is placed to cover the fact that the med was prescribed.

All that said, let me tell you my experience. I have a disorder for which I take a medication which is a controlled substance. I had a drug screen when I went to work. I told them what I took and why, although they did not ask. The drug screen came back "positive" for the drug group that I take. The individual who called me about it wasn't with the hospital, he was with the drug testing company. I gave written permission for my doctor to tell him that I was prescribed the drug and why. That was the end of it. I don't think it went any further than him.

I would encourage you to keep your personal business to yourself. Wait until you are asked--but I bet no one will ask. When you have the drug screen (which you may have for school), wait until they ask you about it.

Wellbutrin is a pretty mild drug. It's popularly used for stopping smoking. A lot of regular people take it, including lots of nurses. I don't think anyone will care that you do.

The fact that you wonder about this suggests that your are a conscientious person. That will go along way toward helping you be a wonderful nurse.

Good luck!

[jonnygirl27]

In our program, we are required to report any condition, mental or physical, that will affect our ability to provide safe care. If you were unstable, or going through difficult med changes, your professors would need to know-but if your condition is well under control, I'd say don't bring it up unless it becomes relevant.

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

The great majority of nursing students that I have seen are on some sort of antidepressant medication. The stress of nursing school can be so great, that many students who were not on antidepressants before, turn to them to help them cope with the pressure of school.

[EmilyCCRN]

As I recall, our medical history form (that needed to be verified and signed by a doctor/nurse practitioner) requested information about any illnesses (mental or otherwise) that we were being treated for within the last five years, and what medications we were taking due to said illness(es). I completed my physical and medical history form in July, so I can't remember all the specifics :), but I seem to recall that we were required to disclose this information.