Feel like giving up, but deep down I don't want to, Help.

RE: Feel like giving up, but deep down I don't want to, Help.

emmaj_davy — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 20:02:14 GMT

Thanks Louise. I've already written to all the local vets explaining my situation and only one came back to me to say they couldn't help. I am registered with a few agencies who know my full story, I want to be completely honest, and they are trying to help me find my feet, waiting to hear back from a few locum positions *fingers crossed*

RE: Feel like giving up, but deep down I don't want to, Help.

Loobyfly — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:57:01 GMT

I worked full time for 10 years as a VN, then had 10 years off on maternity leave while I had my 3 children. I went back a year ago as a locum and have now been offered a permanent role 2 days per week. I was extremely nervous and worried about going back after so long out of practice, in fact I had signed up for a college course studying childcare and had been offered a job in a preschool. But I changed my mind at the last minute and decided that nursing was my passion and I owed it to myself to give it another go. I found it was best to be extremely honest with everybody. Before accepting any locum roles I explained clearly that I had been out of practice for a long time and had lost my confidence. Almost all the vets and nurses that I came across were lovely and very understanding of my situation. I only encountered a negative reaction once, and I simply didn't take on any more work within that chain of practices. It was a steep learning curve, but after a few successful shifts I started enjoying myself and was suprised by how quickly everything came back to me. There is a shortage of qualified nurses at the moment and there are loads of practices out there that would be very grateful for someone like you. Please don't give up. I think you have been very unlucky, but will hopefully find a supportive practice if you keep looking. Why not write to all the practices in your area, explaining your situation and asking if anyone has a suitable role and can offer support? Good luck.

RE: Feel like giving up, but deep down I don't want to, Help.

Karen Carver — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 16:28:59 GMT

I can recommend Ruby Wax's books on mindfullness! Makes you get out of the tunnel vision type negative thinking and they're quite funny too! xx

RE: Feel like giving up, but deep down I don't want to, Help.

Steph Smith BSc(hons) RVN — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 22:33:33 GMT

So, so sorry you're having such a rubbish time right now. There are some great comments above. It's also great that you can talk about it. I'd recommend getting in touch with your GP who can refer you to a specialist nurse who can teach you some techniques for reducing/coping with stress and depression. Mindfullness, meditation and other cognitive behavioural therapies/talking therapies can be really helpful. All the best.

RE: Feel like giving up, but deep down I don't want to, Help.

Sal the 1st — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 22:26:53 GMT

RE: Feel like giving up, but deep down I don't want to, Help.

emmaj_davy — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 21:34:49 GMT

Thank you everyone for your kind words of support. I'm going to look at returning to work after Easter, I think it might help if I've got something to focus on. Just need to find a practice willing to take me on now.

RE: Feel like giving up, but deep down I don't want to, Help.

Jill Macdonald — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 23:28:08 GMT

Hi Emma,

Gosh, you've had a really hard time, no wonder you are finding things difficult. I really hope things get easier for you, and I'm sure they will.

Several have given you advice on practice stuff and CPD so I won't go into that - (oh, except the webinar vet has quite a few free (and useful) webinars) - but what I would say is that if you need someone to talk to that understands and can offer you advice, then you can always turn to Vetlife - they welcome VNs and are run by people in the profession that understand the pressures we face.

You can ring them, or even send anonymous emil - and don't feel like you have to be 'desperate' to contact them - sometimes it can really help just to have someone listen who can offer unbiased and objective advice.

Here's their website: http://www.vetlife.org.uk/

Phone number: 0303 040 2551

Take care,

Jill

RE: Feel like giving up, but deep down I don't want to, Help.

Mark Hedberg — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 10:49:15 GMT

[quote] also worry about cpd and my registration, I've been qualified nearly 2 years and haven't done a single hour of cpd and my registration is up for renewal in December, should I be telling the rcvs what's been going on?[/quote]

It's 45 hours over 3 years, yes, but it's not as bad as you think.

http://www.rcvs.org.uk/education/cpd-for-vns/ is the RCVS guidelines for CPD, and a great deal counts. 5 hours per year can be undocumented reading - nurse journals, textbooks, vet journals, Pink Book, etc. So that's 15 hours right there in 3 years.

It's a common misunderstanding that only paid attendance CPD counts as CPD. You can do online webinars (they can be free), as well. In fact, as long as you document what you read, then your undocumented reading becomes documented study, as long as you have notes on what you reviewed. There's shadowing, secondments to other practices, in house training (say another nurse shows you how to set up an endoscope, or run the xray developer - even a lunch meeting when a rep brings sandwiches and a powerpoint counts!

Don't panic - there's loads of cost effective cpd out there. (Disclaimer: I run a cpd program of paid attendance courses, and yes, I'm telling how to get the free stuff. No, I never said I was logical. )

RE: Feel like giving up, but deep down I don't want to, Help.

The Pikachu_Collector — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 22:08:28 GMT

Hey,

its 45 hours in 3 years, so you still have 1 year to it in. Webinars are great and free as are some other online CPDs.

i have also been pushed around, bullied, sacked (unfairly). So I'm taking a different approach. I've locum'd and really enjoyed it, had some great support. And now embarking on a year long maternity cover. I'll also be looking at some practice management or business course to try and do so that I can do that instead long term as my health is rubbish!

Corporate groups often employ nurses with a variety of skills/experience. This may be the way to go, get lots of support. And be honest with them that you are basically starting from scratch as a newly qualified nurse if needed.

or, look at the independent practice, although ive found minimal support from these.

locuming is great, but you need the basics and go in with an open mind. Find a locum agency, Liberty star have been great with me and explain what your after. Some practices want ana/student locums.

Hope this helps, but at the end of the day, follow your heart :)

RE: Feel like giving up, but deep down I don't want to, Help.

Sal the 1st — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 11:12:43 GMT

sending pm

RE: Feel like giving up, but deep down I don't want to, Help.

emmaj_davy — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 10:25:29 GMT

I also worry about cpd and my registration, I've been qualified nearly 2 years and haven't done a single hour of cpd and my registration is up for renewal in December, should I be telling the rcvs what's been going on?

RE: Feel like giving up, but deep down I don't want to, Help.

VNsmac — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 21:49:53 GMT

I really feel for you cause it does sound like you've had some really bad luck, but on the positive side you must be due some really good karma. I don't blame you for feeling depressed and once in that pit it takes a lot of personal strength and support to climb back out, but at least you're acknowledging what you're facing and not letting it swallow you up.

Obviously you feel like you need to take some time out, and i wouldn't worry about how you feel a year from now as i think you need to concentrate on the here and now at the moment. I actually think you sound very brave, i've considered locumming but always been to scared to make the leap - you've done it. You are raising children whilst also moving home and supporting your husband so give yourself some credit for that. What is the saying - when you've hit the bottom the only way is up!

I feel nursing is a vocation rather than a career so even if you haven't found your "forever" job it doesnt mean it isnt out there. but the skills you posess, may need a little brushing up, but they never really go away. When you're feeling better, and if you can afford it, why not do some volunteer shifts at a practice? You can pick up one day locum shifts, so ease yourself back into by doing maybe one shift a week.

Don't put so much pressure on yourself, i find even after 14years of nursing i still learn something new practically every week.