NURSING WITH DEPRESSION!!!

RE: NURSING WITH DEPRESSION!!!

Nichola231 — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 13:42:35 GMT

Hey! I've been in similar position myself. I have high functioning anxiety and struggle sometimes.

When I was training, I had the usual up and down days like everyone else. But on my really bad days I made poor decisions and often took my bad mood out on others. Money was a constant stress and I often worked on days when I should have been in bed recovering from illness. I spoke to my Dr, started treatment and counselling. I kept my employer update with my progress and the majority of the time they were fine about it. They had a legal responsibility towards me and needed to make sure I was coping ok.

I found the hardest part of it all was asking for help and admitting that I was struggling. Once I got over that, things became easier.

I am now qualified and working as a head nurse in different practice. I still have bad days but I have the support of the team and if I need time to look after myself, I can shuffle my shifts around.

We are an industry of high achievers. The drive to give our patients everything we have is second nature to us all. However, we can't help our patient if we are running on fumes. Self-care is an absolute must. Self-care doesn't have to be drastic life changes. I practice self-care by exercising regularly, even if it's just a walk with a friend. I try to eat my 5 a day despite the constant temptations in the tea room. I also know my limits and ask for help.

You are not alone. We’ve all been there in some shape or form.

In terms of getting a job, employers shouldn’t be discriminating against you. A good employer will have an induction plan, follow up regularly and give you to opportunity to highlights area that you need help in. If there isn’t one in place, ask for one. The BVNA might be able to offer support to you and the practice. I think they can also help with crisis loans. Vetline might be able to get you in touch with local support groups/charities.

The corporate practices will have a HR team you can talk to as well. It’s their job to make sure you’re ok. Don’t be afraid to call them.

I hope some part of this has been helpful. What’s going on at the moment is temporary, not a final defeat. You will get through this.

RE: NURSING WITH DEPRESSION!!!

Mason8 — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 13:17:42 GMT

Ok, as someone who has worked almost all of my life and has been diagnosed with major depression and anxiety since 2009 and unmedicated since 2011 here is some food for thought. Are you in the beginning of treatment and have they found a medication that is working for you? Keeping in mind your bodies response to said medication can change and it could be no longer effective and back at square one. Do you have a great support network outside of work so you do not have to rely on coworkers for mental support? Do you know what your triggers are for the anxiety portion of things and can you manage those triggers in the long term? Are you now quick to recognize that something is wrong and get help? A veterinary environment is most of the time not supportive of those with really any health problems. You get thrown into the deep end, stress of when things go wrong, nasty customers, short staffed, negative working environment, not eating properly and not a good work/life balance. It may feel like you are a failure but your long term health and mental well being is more important than anything you will get working as an RVN. You are not a failure, but you need to come to terms with the fact this is your body telling you things are too much for you. I have qualified as an RVN but will never work in a veterinary practice again due to my conditions. I have been unmedicated since 2011 but due to my anxiety triggers while working in veterinary practice I have ended up with a long term health condition that I will have to deal with for the rest of my life because I did not listen to my body when I should have when things got way too stressful. There are other jobs out there that are just as serving/important but without all of the stress and that can give you time off to manage your mental health. I became a postal carrier. Still serving the public, being outside doing my job and just getting on with it has been soothing for my soul. There are other jobs out there though. I am re training as a biologist with the intention of working in a lab or out in the field. This will avoid my major triggers and allow me to stay in a science related field. I am doing this for my long term health, happiness and management of my condition. You will be the only person that feels that you are a failure. For the most part the majority of people think vet nurses are vets or didn't even know they exist so it is only in your mind that you are limiting yourself and what you can do. I did 9 very successful years in the military before I got out and got my degree and became an RVN. I have had to accept twice that it was not the right environment for me in the long term and keep moving forward. If not for doing the Veterinary Nursing degree I would not have found out my interest and how I can work around my triggers. I love keeping busy and working but it is not ok to be overwhelmed and stressed out all of the time. I think you have posted on here awhile ago before so hopefully this has further explained things from my experience and sorry it has been such a long post. You are needed, not a failure and will be a valuable asset to some employer once you figure things out.

RE: NURSING WITH DEPRESSION!!!

VetNurse Anon a/c — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 11:48:03 GMT

Thank you Ali for taking the time to reply to me!

I have never felt suicidal or gone as far as that but obviously I can understand any practices concern.

It's a catch twenty two and could not afford to take time off even to go doctors let alone take time of the recover from depression and anxiety. Even now I can't afford to stay off for long but also it worsens my depression and anxiety. I have always been a worker. I had my first job at 13 and worked so hard to work my way up. I do think we get unfairly labelled. I have been told I am uncommitted, unmotivated and no work ethic but I spent years working my way up so I must have had some commitment. I must have been motivated to qualify and I have worked all my life and had three jobs when I was training so must have a work ethic but depression can start to make you act and behave different.

When I have started jobs I have never had any kind of induction to discuss where I may need support let alone a return to work. I usually get thrown in at the deep end which doesn't help anybody but know it can be difficult if they are short staffed.

I don't know it's difficult and I have only ever worked for corporates and most practices are now corporates and I have tried to speak to them and ask about giving my time in a voluntary aspect but they never respond back to me. I just get the impression they are not sympathetic or interested.

I feel like I may be forced out the profession which just makes me feel like even more of a failure. It's difficult!

RE: NURSING WITH DEPRESSION!!!

Alison Clare Hickman — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 16:44:20 GMT

Hello there. I am so very sorry to hear you have had such a difficult time and wish you well in your recovery. I am not a professional mental health expert nor have I been ill like you have been. However I have observed and worked with many colleagues with a mental health illness and it is from those experiences that I write to you today...

The first thing I would start with is looking for work again once my doctor has said I am fit to work, and not before. To do so otherwise might set me back - it's the same as if I broke a limb, there's no point in returning to work before I am fully mended.

The second thing I would do is plan a structured, phased, return to work (my professional advisors will be able to help me plan this). Such as starting one day a week or a few hours a week until I can build up my confidence again. This might be volunteering at a veterinary practice, or starting at kennel maid or VCA level, to both get my foot in the door and also ease myself back into the role. Importantly, if it goes well and the practice knows it can rely on me, has the sustained confidence that I am both great at the job and mentally fit for the stresses involved then they will be far happier for me to start taking on greater responsibilities. Perhaps I could then apply for a role as a fully fledged RVN again.

Clearly as an RVN I would have responsibility for safety of my patients and myself. Access to dangerous drugs for self-harming (for example) is a huge concern for many employers, particularly if an employee has had, or is suffering from, a mental health illness. This is an entirely understandable fear on their part and one I would have to overcome to gain employment. Might my doctor/professional advisor might be able to reassure an employer in this regard, with my permission? I am not certain but it is worthwhile me asking this question.

I must of course be totally honest with any employer about my past and my future prospects as a valuable employee. The assistance I might need from them is an important part of this, (I know what I will need to ensure continuing good mental health).

I know that working in our profession is, by it's nature, stressful and despite information being made available to help us to make our workplaces more pleasant places to be

e.g. https://www.vetnurse.co.uk/b/veterinary-nursing-news/archive/2018/01/29/new-guide-to-improving-wellbeing-in-the-veterinary-workplace.aspx

there are still holes to be filled in many practices which, may be too deep for me to survive if I fell into them.

Therefore, I think, thirdly, I would think about planning for an alternative career - one that perhaps I can use the skills I've learned as an RVN or, even go off on a tangent and re-train as something else. Something that has a better fit with the new me once I am fully recovered.

I wish you the absolute best of lasting health and happiness.

Please let us know how you go on and understand that the vet nurse community here is backing you to do well and get back on that RVN gee-gee, if it is the right thing for you.

Love.

Ali h