What's wrong with me?!

RE: What's wrong with me?!

HomerRVN — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 10:59:41 GMT

Hi all. This is a tough career, and we often forget how much pressure we are constantly under. The advice to look at what aspects you still enjoy and focus on those is great. It could be just the environment you are in...maybe locuming would add a new dimension to your career. What about venturing into the more exotic pet / wildlife side of veterinary nursing? The world of veterinary nursing has changed so much over the last 30+ years and there are so many opportunities out there. Good Luck with what whatever you decide

RE: What's wrong with me?!

Gizmo — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 00:45:22 GMT

Yep, know that feeling! I'm facing work challenges myself as i recently moved back to Australia and nurses here aren't allowed to do anything... all the extra study I did (including an NCert) is wasted here. I think, if you're not ready to talk to management, it's at least worth talking to a mental health professional cos the way you're feeling will just kill any joy or purpose in your life - and everybody needs that.

RE: What's wrong with me?!

Cyonica — Sun, 02 Jan 2022 16:49:00 GMT

I've been feeling like this for years. I also did an NCert hoping that would help, but then felt frustrated after because I couldn't use it. I wanted to locum next to get some variety and see different practices as I was considering changing careers, but needed a stable full time income. Instead I switched from GP to referral, but went from a mostly surgical into a mostly ward role and lost all the things I found engaging, as well as losing the support network of my old team. I'm now switching careers completely and going back to uni to do something unrelated. The lack of professional freedom and progression opportunities really wore me down, and I don't have any passion left for the job.

I think you should look at why you feel like you spend all of your time just working and sleeping, and definitely look for some non work hobbies to try out. Recently I've started going to the gym and taking aerial hoop lessons (never been into exercise or sport in my life!) just to try something new. If you managed to finish the NCert then you are not stupid. To me you just sound burnt out. Even if you think it won't help, I think it'd be worth talking to management about how you feel and maybe even switching jobs or changing roles for a while. It's not about special treatment or making excuses, you're clearly struggling so you need to look out for you.

RE: What's wrong with me?!

Louise B — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 08:21:09 GMT

[quote userid="2787" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/problem-pages/32255/what-s-wrong-with-me/177557#177557"] if i can't see a solution, would they? when all i want to do is curl up under a rock and sleep for 100 years,[/quote]

Maybe because when you reach the point at which you think that you have generally been under considerable stress for a period of time, have depression, or similar - and any of these can affect your problem solving abilities.

RE: What's wrong with me?!

Sparky — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 07:29:38 GMT

Thank you everyone for your replies- I guess i'm just scared to go to managent as if i can't see a solution, would they? when all i want to do is curl up under a rock and sleep for 100 years,

RE: What's wrong with me?!

Louise B — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 14:26:11 GMT

also, worth noting that, if you don't open up to your boss, sooner or later they are going to become aware anyway - either because of presenteeism or because you leave and go to a new job. So worth proactively exploring the options with them if you think they might be supportive. You hold a lot of bargaining chips at the moment because RVN jobs are three a penny and RVNs gold dust so you might be surprised about what you can negotiate or explore as options.

RE: What's wrong with me?!

Louise B — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 13:59:42 GMT

This ^^^^^ I completely concur with Gizmo!

RE: What's wrong with me?!

Gizmo — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 09:44:02 GMT

Hi Sparky, I appreciate that you might not want to ruffle feathers and it's true that others in your practice might be feeling miserable..... but this is about you. What you're feeling is completely valid and deserves someone's listening ear. You have to do whatever you need to, to improve your own situation for the sake of your mental health. If that means talking to your boss, then please, go and talk to him/her. you never know.... they might be supportive and help you find a way to get the joy back into your working life. And if not... then I guess it means putting your plan B into action and finding a different path to job satisfaction and a sense of purpose. as your motto says..... don't dull your shine for someone else.

RE: What's wrong with me?!

Sparky — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 08:07:50 GMT

Thank you for everyone's replies. I unfortunately with my circumstance cannot go down to part time, as much as I would like too. I appreciate everyone's comments and although its nice to hear I'm not alone, its not nice to hear are suffering too. I want to tell my boss, but I'm not sure that will help, I don't want to make an excuse for sometimes looking or feeling miserable knowing that others in the practice might be feeling the same. I don't want to single myself out or expect special treatment either. Rather then make a big thing of it, I dont want to, I feel shame over it but on the other hand I need to do something about it

RE: What's wrong with me?!

Eva Piekute — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 18:57:53 GMT

Hi. I hope it is alright to put my 2 cents in. I can defo confirm that it is normal and I am on the other side of the fence. I am looking to become a vet nurse and start college in September. I have been for 9 years in HR and it started to bore me. Unless you are at the right place at the right time and can progress, it can become mundane. Unless you are one of those people who are happy to do the same job day in and day out for years then you will get restless as your mind will start looking for a new adventure/excitement/challenge. Sometimes just change of environment can do wonders as workplaces tend to differ is some aspects. So keep it positive and think on what would you like to do. If easy enough, maybe trial some other job on a temp basis and see if you like it it enough to make it a complete career switch or go back. As I say, you will always have your vet nurse career to fall back to if needed

RE: What's wrong with me?!

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 09:10:20 GMT

[quote userid="2271" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/problem-pages/32255/what-s-wrong-with-me/177545#177545"]I don't think you sound like a headcase at all. You sound the same as me and many others I know. I think it is a normal response to a chronic stressor that we are not designed to have to copy with. Our bodies are designed for dealing with acute stressors (like being chased by a lion through the woods - over and done with one way or another quickly), not chronic stressors like a pandemic and its repurcussions on the workplace.[/quote]

Such a good point.

[quote userid="2271" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/problem-pages/32255/what-s-wrong-with-me/177545#177545"] It has been a sh*t (sorry for swearing Arlo) couple of years[/quote]

Ha ... don't worry about me!

RE: What's wrong with me?!

Louise B — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 12:00:07 GMT

I don't think you sound like a headcase at all. You sound the same as me and many others I know. I think it is a normal response to a chronic stressor that we are not designed to have to copy with. Our bodies are designed for dealing with acute stressors (like being chased by a lion through the woods - over and done with one way or another quickly), not chronic stressors like a pandemic and its repurcussions on the workplace. No one joined veterinary expecting to be trying to deliver veterinary care while trying to dodge a virus that kills and maims many of those affilicted in an environment where you are exposed to lots of potential virus carriers so constantly taking measures to protect yourself, while at the same time seeing efficiency at delivering vet care drop off because of the need to consult in carparks, one in one out type rules, short staffedness, etc. as the number of pets potentially needing pet care increased 30% because of increased pet ownership so increased pressure on surgeries to find space for these, owners cross and irritated by the vet care they expected not being delivered because of lack of time, appointments, etc. And all the while people's social networks have been damaged by isolation measures so normal coping responses for many people (social contact, etc) has been badly impaired at times so there is probably greater internalisation of worries, stressing, etc that in the past. I don't think you are a headcase - I think you are pretty damn normal to be honest! It has been a sh*t (sorry for swearing Arlo) couple of years across the board and many people are reevaluating their lives because of this - just factor in the above when thinking through what you want to do and recognise the impact that it may have had/be having and, whatever you do, be kind and supportive to yourself because you need to be your own cheer leader and advocate here.

RE: What's wrong with me?!

Sparky — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 22:04:55 GMT

Louise b! you make complete sense....as much as I don't like to blame COVID I do think it has a lot to do with it. The last two years or so have been to put it lightly exhausting and although I had two weeks off in the summer I didn't go away... I actually couldn't face it mentally. I know I sound like a right head case. I wish I could like you suggest take 6 months off...if only. I don't want to minimise what other people are feeling either or assume I'm special but I'm truly miserable with it all.

New staff have been brought in because we couldn't cope with the work load and through no fault of their own I feel like I've been a terrible nurse recently as these new nurses seem to think of things I didn't or I forget...nothing major but just things I should of done or thought of.

I often think I want to be in a job where people are not.....grave digging or mortuary maybe....light house keeper? I'm not sure Sorry I sound such a head case

RE: What's wrong with me?!

Louise B — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 19:13:17 GMT

Hi Sparky,

I feel like that a lot myself and I am not currently nursing. I actually love my job but yet am not loving it if that makes sense because much of the time I feel like a zombie. For me it is a combination of heatlh issues and also, quite frankly, the stress that has come from doing a job that has been badly impacted by Covid-19. I think it is Covid-19 related work place fatigue and never feeling like I ever got away for long enough to recharge my batteries. I would give anything to just stop the clock for 6 months and just spend 6 months just caring for me and not having to think about work. Then I think that I will come back good as new. But currently I have a great job as a uni academic, a super salary, wonderful caring work colleagues and a job that I think is worthwhile - yet the pzazzz isn't there and I fight the urge to take a job as a delivery driver at Iceland or similar just to be able to zoan out for a bit.

Where I am going with this is - is this a normal career life crisis moment or is it symptomatic of the chronic stress that most in veterinary have been living and working under for nearly two years? So many of my veterinary and education friends have been tettering on the brink of chronic exhaustion for a long time and in some cases that has led into a kind of work place presenteeism and lack of joy in their job now. Probably the number one conversation that I seem to have over and over again with friends in industries affected badly by Covid-19 is that they no longer enjoy their job and want out, and out of their profession. So I now wonder how much is actually a hidden psychological epidemic of indirect sufferers of the pandemic?

That said, I have reached the point that you describe for career reasons too many times - and sometimes a change, the right change, is a wonderful tool for invigoration. You have so many skill sets as an experienced veterinary nurse - focus much more on the generic ones that you have developed as there are so many other directions out there, and sometime exploring different careers is worth doing. You don't have to work in veterinary nursing to be a vet nurse if that change of identify worries you, you just bring being a vet nurse (skills, attitude) to your new role, and maybe you will come back to clinical work or maybe you won't, but neither of those things matter. What matters is your happiness and wellbeing.

Ps. I am taking my own advice and working towards part time as better suits my needs!

RE: What's wrong with me?!

enigmaticat-uk — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 17:23:23 GMT

You are definitely not an alien, I know how you feel - this was me last year - everything just felt relentless and I found it hard to relax on my days off as I was just dreading going back into work. I was also worried I was neglecting my patients as there was never enough time and my enthusiasm was gone so I just couldn't be bothered anymore (even though I carried on doing my best). I took a job in a lab for a while as a break and now am back to vet-nursing part-time 3 days per week. I have been lucky to have found a job with minimal client contact (no nurse consults/reception) and I can even do some work from home doing insurance claims. Cutting hours has made a massive difference to my mental health, I can now relax and enjoy my days off and spend time doing crafts and baking - I'm hoping to supplement my income by doing some craft fairs or similar as I can only just get by financially dropping to part-time. My advice would be - if you can afford to drop hours then do it = make time for things you enjoy. Change can be good - whether you stay in vet nursing (a different practice may have something different to offer) or try something else entirely for a while - if you keep up with CPD & registration then it's easy to go back to nursing once you have re-charged and re-assessed what you want.

RE: What's wrong with me?!

Sparky — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 23:12:09 GMT

Thank you for the suggestions everyone...I'm not sure why I did the ncert....I just thought it would I guess. But instead I'm just feeling stupid and like I need to go back to college! I'm not sure I have any other skills, I've always just been a veterinary nurse...I'm not sure I can do anything else and as suggested my dream job. Its been work sleep work sleep for so long I don't have any hobbies either. God.. I sound like such a saddo!

RE: What's wrong with me?!

Gizmo — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 13:21:48 GMT

Sounds like the NCert wasn't the right challenge for you. maybe take some time to daydream about what your dream job would look like - would it still be in the vet nursing field?

RE: What's wrong with me?!

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 09:48:20 GMT

[quote userid="2240" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/problem-pages/32255/what-s-wrong-with-me/177526#177526"]Will add that the course I did on interrogation has paid dividends when trying to get relevant information from a client[/quote]

I never knew such a thing existed ... sounds fascinating and I'll bet there are lots of other applications for that too!

RE: What's wrong with me?!

Sal the 1st — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 03:19:06 GMT

this happens to me about every 7 -8 yrs (7 yr itch) the way I get round it is to do something completely out of my comfort zone not necessarily work related which gives me something to worry about that takes me away from the mundane and gives a bit of light relief- basically I do something daft. It has the effect of focussing me a bit. This year I changed jobs after over 11 yrs - that has focussed me a lot! Also joined a choir and the thought of singing in public terrified me (still does and less than 2 weeks to go!). Have decided to carry on spicing things up a bit next year. Think wing walking might just be a bit much as I'm not what you might call svelte by any stretch of the imagination, fire walking been there done that , and swimming with sharks well thats sort of a daily event with some of the people you get to meet.

Seriously tho I think we all get these feelings if we have done something for so long and it all starts to feel all too familiar.

Will add that the course I did on interrogation has paid dividends when trying to get relevant information from a client

RE: What's wrong with me?!

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 19:13:34 GMT

Sparky First thought as I was reading your post was ... I wonder how long you've been at it, then I got to your last sentence.

I think what you're describing probably affects everyone in every profession at some stage in their career.

Once you've been doing it a while, everything becomes a bit same old, same old.

The challenge is to, er, find a new challenge, ideally one which plays to your skills and experience. Variety is the spice of life.

I found myself looking for a new challenge a couple of years ago, and decided to combine my love of gadgets with my journalistic skills, such as they are, and become a mid-life youtuber. Seems to be going reasonably well, much to my surprise. I've had half a million views of my youtube stuff so far, which isn't too shabby.

Then I've been able to use all the skills and knowledge I've gained about scriptwriting, lighting, sound, filming and editing to start producing 'edutainment' films for vets and nurses.

You say you've just finished the ncert to try and help your feelings. First, don't worry about feeling super thick. Everyone does that from time to time.

But second, I'm not sure how getting the ncert was ever going to solve the problem? Surely the point is what the Ncert leads to, if anything. Does it open any doors?

If not, is there ANYTHING you really enjoy at work, or anything you enjoy outside work which you could bring to bear at work? Do you like photography, for example? Could you be using that as a skill to help with marketing the practice. I dunno, it's probably a silly idea, I am just trying to give an example of the sort of thing I mean.

Hope things get better!