MH nurse/ Meds

EveryonesDrunk · 11-02-2008, 05:07 PM

Im training to be a mental health nurse, but i think i need to go back on my meds again... I stoped taking them when i applied for the course, but im becoming quite depressed again and think i need to go back on them.

Im just abit worried that it might affect me being able to stay on the course....?

Does anyone know if this is the case?

huggybear · 11-02-2008, 05:28 PM

im doing the same course and i dont think it will effect you.. if you need them then take them.. i dont know if you would have to tell occy health.. but you dont have to tell uni so it would only be a problem at occy health and if they see you are doing the reight thing by realising you have an issue then i dont think it will effect you.

thats only my opinion but hope it helps.

Charlotte x

pixie*lyssie · 12-02-2008, 03:14 PM

You should be able to stay on the course. Maybe you can ask for the extra support that you need right now. It's ok to be on meds because you don't want to become too depressed that you can't focus on your work hun. xx

starting_over · 12-02-2008, 04:44 PM

I'm not sure how it is there, but here you can not be discriminated against for taking medication. the way they see it if you were diabetic and taking insulin to control it , that would not make you an incompetant worker. also you not believe how many people i know in the mental health field who are on medication, see a psychiatrist, and even attend weekly counceling. My councelor lost her husband 3 1/2 years ago and has been seeing a councelor to continue to cope with her grief and loss. many people chose this field because they themselves have had experience with mental health in their own lives. Taking medication doe snot make you weak in the eyes of teh community, exactly the opposite you are considered stronger because you know you have a problem and are taking teh necessary measures to treat it so that you can be a good MH nurse. I think the problem would be if you continued to not take your meds and had a severe flare up of your mental health symptoms, ie... suicide attempt, sh, mis use of drugs/alcohol. good luck and if you know you need them to remain stable and give 100% then please take them.

The Midnight Crazies · 12-02-2008, 05:13 PM

Well not to be harsh or anything but I know of a case where a mental health care working in training got 'fired' from the training cuz it came out she used medication...

Marte

HideousKinky · 12-02-2008, 11:14 PM

Hey, where you training??

I'm in my second year of MH nursing and I stated on the occupational health form that I used to suffer from depression but when they asked about it I really played it down. I also am now back on meds and haven't said a word about it. To be honest I have passed all my placements fine and get great marks in my essays so I don't see any reason for me to tell them about the meds. I would say the same to you, if you think that NOT going back on your meds would affect your ability to stay on the course then you should go back on them. Otherwise, have a look at your university's mental health support - I have a wonderful doctor and we have some great CBT nurses at the Uni surgery who I have seen many a time. If you are struggling with any aspect of the course then try to get as much help as you can from the available resources before you just resort to meds. Hope that helps, feel free to PM me, its nice to have another MH nurse student to talk to :)

Dom.x

EveryonesDrunk · 12-02-2008, 11:56 PM

im at northampton doing my course.
Im not struggeling with the course. Im really enjoying it and think its definatly where im ment to be going.

I think i might book an appointment with my doc to see if i can go back on my meds.... im just gunne have to think about this one for a bit beofre i make any firm dicisions.....
Thanks for everything everyone has said.

And dom, if you ever want to talk 'nurse to nurse' or anything else feel free to PM me....... well that goes to everyone really. thanks!!!!!!

jsthoping · 16-02-2008, 03:43 AM

thinking about being mh tech\\ myself

Bitter_Angel · 17-02-2008, 05:11 AM

its fine to go back on your meds. By the end of first year half your class will be on them. Out of the 7 people i spoke to most in first year, 4 of them where put on meds within 12 months of starting.

Dont think it needs to be mentioned to occyhealth. But it is worth speaking to you tutor over. Because if things get too much, they can get you a bit of extra breathing space when it comes to deadlines an suchif you need them.

MrsNutkin · 17-02-2008, 09:26 PM

Working within the mental health field is likely to bring some things to the surface more so if it's in your past. Don't worry about going back on Meds if you feel you need to. It's better to stay safe.

sopranonut · 17-02-2008, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bitter_angel

By the end of first year half your class will be on them. Out of the 7 people i spoke to most in first year, 4 of them where put on meds within 12 months of starting.

^^^ That's so true! I'm in second year mental health nurse training and i went back on my meds just before xmas, you don't need to tell occ health unless you're having big problems that are affecting your work.

I started self harming again just before xmas and i had a routine follow up with occ health recently where they checked my arms and i was almost thrown off but managed to stay becuase i'm sorting it out. It doesn't affect my work at placement so i think it's ok for now, but i have to go every fortnight to have my arms checked now

.

So don't worry about meds at all it's totally not a problem. If you ever want to talk or ask anything else about the course then feel free to PM me, it's great to talk to others who also have the same background.

Good luck with it!