Struggling mentally

RE: Struggling mentally

Alison Clare Hickman — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 17:52:08 GMT

Oorah.strong heart PJ Zurawel

RE: Struggling mentally

PJ Zurawel — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 16:32:23 GMT

I've been there, where I question myself as a vn. In my case I worked in a practice that made me feel I was bad and useless at my job. I switched onto night shifts just to get away from the management telling me I was rubbish (should have just left). I was ready to quit the profession altogether and was looking at retraining into a different industry. Then one night a tiny stray kitten was brought into the practice, the vet brought him out the back and declared his heart to have stopped, a round of cpr brought him back and now 3 years later that little kitten still lives with me.

My point is although you might feel like a failure and what you do doesn't matter, I can assure you it does. Just think of all the patients you were able to help and all the owners that were able to take their beloved fur baby home due to your nursing care. That kitten reminds me everyday of the difference we are able to make and I'm so grateful to have him for that reason because this industry can be rubbish. And definitely talk to vetlife or if you work for a corporate they often have an occupational health department you can talk to. Hope you feel better about yourself.

RE: Struggling mentally

Rachel Woodcock — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 00:00:56 GMT

Im so sorry you've had to go through this.

I agree with previous suggestions about speaking to Vetlife. Sometimes its easier to speak to people who you don't know. I would also suggest the Blue Cross pet bereavement service as they helped me so much when we lost one of our dogs. I too felt like I was a terrible vet nurse - we brought him in because his appetite had decreased but we had also changed his food so put it down to that initially. The vet who examined him diagnosed a uti as he had blood in his urine.......9hrs later he crashed under GA whilst attempting to remove the ruptured splenic tumour the vet then found after we rushed him back in collapsed a few hours later. He was only 5.

i went into a terrible downward spiral and didn't trust myself with any of our other pets thinking I'd miss something and they'd die too. I had great support from my friends and family but it wasn't enough to help me come to terms with it. The blue cross was amazing. I contacted them multiple times and they listened to me and helped me see it wasn't my fault and there was nothing I could have done.

I think I ended up staying off work for a month as I couldn't face going back in. My work colleagues were a great help when I was off and also when I went back in. I have to be honest, it took me a while to regain my confidence but it was possible and you have to think about all the lives you touch when you're Nursing and the positive difference you make to them and their owners lives.

Unfortunately, as someone previous has said, at times life can be sh1t and things happen that are beyond our control.

Feel free to PM me if you think it might help.

Take care and stay strong x

RE: Struggling mentally

lisa-marie swan — Sun, 15 Sep 2019 22:33:09 GMT

Thank you for the reply Kate. I havent spoken to vetlife. I will certainly seek out some form of help.

RE: Struggling mentally

Sal the 1st — Sun, 15 Sep 2019 22:32:34 GMT

happy for you to pm if you think it will help also second the suggestion of Vetlife

RE: Struggling mentally

Kate Richardson — Sun, 15 Sep 2019 22:08:35 GMT

You need to talk to a professional but you should place no blame on yourself- sometimes life is shit and despite your best efforts to prevent illness it still happens. You haven't failed. But if your reaction to this is affecting your personal relationships, you need to address your responses and understand why you feel this way. Have you spoken to Vetlife? Please go and consult your doctor. You have taken the first step by speaking about it which takes courage. Sending you a virtual hug xx