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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on July 21, 2005, at 8:28:58
Hey guys -
Now my friend has just been refused entry into a nursing degree, which is totally unacceptable, because she is over qualified. However, on her form, there was a section on mental health, which asked if you had any mental health problems. Now she put that she had been on antidepressants (and hence admitted that she suffered from depression) since the death of her grandfather.
Now, could this be the reason why she was refused entry onto a nursing diploma? I don't know much about the UK nursing system, but surely it wouldn't matter if she were on ADs or not? Any insights would be really helpful, since the college (glasow caledonian) wouldn't give her an answer.
Meri-Tuuli
Posted by so on July 21, 2005, at 8:28:58
In reply to Depression and discrimination, posted by Meri-Tuuli on July 18, 2005, at 16:51:29
> Hey guys -
>
> Now my friend has just been refused entry into a nursing degree, which is totally unacceptable, because she is over qualified. However, on her form, there was a section on mental health, which asked if you had any mental health problems. Now she put that she had been on antidepressants (and hence admitted that she suffered from depression) since the death of her grandfather.
>
> Now, could this be the reason why she was refused entry onto a nursing diploma? I don't know much about the UK nursing system, but surely it wouldn't matter if she were on ADs or not? Any insights would be really helpful, since the college (glasow caledonian) wouldn't give her an answer.
>
> Meri-TuuliIt's been a while since then, but my ancestors kicked the butts of the King's army and eventually set up their own nation on account of that kind of stuff. Eventually we gained enough political power to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act to help keep those sort of things under control.
If she is really determined to pursue a nursing degree, she could turn her back on an unjust nation and lend her valuable services somewhere they will be appreciated. There are more than 175 nations as well as plenty of transnational organizations to which she might offer service in exchange for training.
Turning your back on friends is difficult, but there comes a time when one must measure their own values and take a stand.
Posted by linkadge on July 21, 2005, at 8:28:58
In reply to Re: Depression and discrimination » Meri-Tuuli, posted by so on July 18, 2005, at 17:05:23
My frined can't become a pilot in Canada because he is on antidepressants.
Linkadge
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on July 21, 2005, at 8:28:58
In reply to Re: Depression and discrimination » Meri-Tuuli, posted by so on July 18, 2005, at 17:05:23
sorry, I didn't really quite understand the jist of that last post, but well, she won't leave her family in Glasgow! I've tried to get her to come and live with me, but she's a true scot and won't leave Bonny Scotland!
But anyway, my point was, do you have to be completely mentally healthy to be a nurse??? Was the fact that she admitted depression on her application form a reason for an unsuccessful application?
I know that there are various exceptions for certain professions, like when I was a teacher I had to disclose all my previous criminal convictions (not that I have any) to protect the children that you are teaching.
I just wondered if there was anything regarding mental health and nursing, in the UK at least.
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on July 21, 2005, at 8:28:58
In reply to Re: Depression and discrimination, posted by Meri-Tuuli on July 18, 2005, at 17:17:41
PS I meant I didn't understand the post from 'so' not 'linkage'. Must have been posting at the same time!!
Posted by so on July 21, 2005, at 8:28:58
In reply to Re: Depression and discrimination, posted by Meri-Tuuli on July 18, 2005, at 17:18:51
> PS I meant I didn't understand the post from 'so' not 'linkage'. Must have been posting at the same time!!
>
>You got the gist of it. She could leave the UK and serve her human family somewhere else.
My experience with nurses is that one does not have to be mentally healthy. Some are truly compassionate, but many want a position of authority where they are seen as caregivers, where their decisions are endorsed by a higher authority, and where they can enjoy lifelong stability without having to make independant choices. We would do well to have nurses who better understand suffering.
Posted by carolina on July 21, 2005, at 8:28:58
In reply to Depression and discrimination, posted by Meri-Tuuli on July 18, 2005, at 16:51:29
this is very possible as to why she was refused but to prove it would be hard. its very unfortunate that society reacts the way they do towards people w/ depression but it exists and until something is done to change it, it will stay that way 4 awhile. i hope ur friend the best-Carolina
Posted by xbunny on July 21, 2005, at 8:28:59
In reply to Depression and discrimination, posted by Meri-Tuuli on July 18, 2005, at 16:51:29
> Hey guys -
>
> Now my friend has just been refused entry into a nursing degree, which is totally unacceptable, because she is over qualified. However, on her form, there was a section on mental health, which asked if you had any mental health problems. Now she put that she had been on antidepressants (and hence admitted that she suffered from depression) since the death of her grandfather.
>
> Now, could this be the reason why she was refused entry onto a nursing diploma? I don't know much about the UK nursing system, but surely it wouldn't matter if she were on ADs or not? Any insights would be really helpful, since the college (glasow caledonian) wouldn't give her an answer.I would doubt it (but anythings possible), like the US the UK has disability discrimination laws and public bodies and education establishments tend to be pro rather than against people with illnesses. If I were her I would push more for answer as to why she was refused its seems very odd they wouldnt give any kind of reason. Buns
Posted by xbunny on July 21, 2005, at 8:28:59
In reply to Re: Depression and discrimination » Meri-Tuuli, posted by so on July 18, 2005, at 17:05:23
> It's been a while since then, but my ancestors kicked the butts of the King's army and eventually set up their own nation on account of that kind of stuff. Eventually we gained enough political power to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act to help keep those sort of things under control.
My history is shabby, did the american war of independence (thats the war against the king you mean right?) have some relation to discrimination against the mentally ill?
Buns
Posted by Racer on July 21, 2005, at 8:28:59
In reply to Depression and discrimination, posted by Meri-Tuuli on July 18, 2005, at 16:51:29
Could be the depression, but I wonder if it has something to do with the part about her being "over-qualified?" Depending on what that means, it may be that she's not seen as someone who will be committed to nursing, rather than completing the program and then moving on to something else in a few years.
That's only offered, by the way, because I live in a state with a serious shortage of nurses, AND a serious shortage of slots in nursing school. The nursing programs are all so impacted most of the time that people spend years on the waiting list before they finally get in. (At least, that's how it was last time I noticed.) Under conditions like that, the admissions committees are pretty strict whom they accept.
Just one thought, and may not apply at all...
Posted by Phillipa on July 21, 2005, at 8:28:59
In reply to Re: Depression and discrimination » Meri-Tuuli, posted by Racer on July 18, 2005, at 20:00:40
I live in the US and am an RN. Interestingly I spent all day with the North Carolina Board of Nursing and various hospitals. I want to reenter nursing after not working for 8yrs on Disability. No one was allowed to ask what the disability was for and it was not an issue. The only issue was that I might have to complete a refresher course. This consisted of about 4months. 2 on internet and 2 on med/surg floor. This was only because it's "recommended" due to higher acuity levels now. The Board says it's not necessary. Many places don't require that. I still have an active license. When I was practicing Psych nursing is my specialty about one half of nursing was on medication for depression or anxiety or other. As long as you have legitimate RX for meds you will not be refused employment. I believe when I attended Nursing school I chose to check no as I knew it wouldn't and couldn't be checked. The new SSRI's don't show up in drug testing and by the way they only test for illegal substances. The Disabilities Act states you can't be discriminated against. I was very open with the Nursing Board. They know I've been on Disability. One of the pdocs I worked with took trazadone to sleep she told me. And a lot of other docs take meds too. There is a Resident who visits this Board who is trying to get off I bslieve benzos and his Attending is Rxing opoids to help him. And my nurse manager had lost his licence twice for illegal drug use. Caught once on duty drunk, and once stealing meds. The Board will put you on a year or two of rehab and do everything they can to help you get back to work. They are supervised for a period of time. Urine drug testing. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by sunny10 on July 22, 2005, at 11:35:09
In reply to Re: Depression and discrimination, posted by Phillipa on July 19, 2005, at 0:54:19
I'm afraid I have to agree with Racer, here.
Over-qualification is a valid reason to not hire someone. I wouldn't hire someone over-qualitfied, either. Hiring someone overqualified just means I would have to re-train someone new in six months....
This is the end of the thread.
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