Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

Mac Feather — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:29:28 GMT

Shell, Im glad to hear you are starting to feel better. Really good to hear how you are doing.

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

shell30984 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:58:03 GMT

Hi All,

Thanks for all of your replies, i didnt realise how many people were in a similar situation to me. And how understanding you all are

Just an update....i was signed off work for 2 weeks, so it has given me time to think about everything, and ive decided to leave veterinary nursing Not sure what i want to do yet lol but i think it is the main reason for me feeling down.

But all in all im starting to feel better...

Thank you soooo much to everyone who replied, i really appreciate it!!

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

Clair Willis — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:25:58 GMT

I have thought about the PDSA and similar but not sure that they would employ me as although I have nearly 20 experience I have never got qualified and I think this is going to severly hamper my chances of getting another job

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

Angiy Michael — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:12:53 GMT

There are lots of jobs out there where the pay isn't that bad..Have you considered PDSA ? There are published pay rates and good hours etc., Either way I would def look around for something new..you don't have t leave till you find somewhere that si good and that you can afford to go to

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

Clair Willis — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:07:22 GMT

I will, but think I might hold fire at the moment as I have just read some posts about wages and realised that I am being paid reasonably well so may stick it out and try and do some online or correspondence courses in the quiet times, at least that will stop my brain turning to mush So if anyone out there knows of any good courses then please give me a shout

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

Kate Claxton DipAVN(Med)VN — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:12:18 GMT

Prepare for him to be a tosser - I'd always got on well with my boss but found he completely froze me out once I handed in my notice....be strong and remember you're def making a good decision. Best of luck and keep us posted!! xx

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

Clair Willis — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:21:28 GMT

Hi Kate

Thanks for that, It was just the boost I needed. I am seriously considering leaving as I really can't see my situation changing. Its a real shame though as I have been friends with the vet for many years now and I really thought that he would make the effort to keep his practice moving forward but he seems quite happy to stay in his rut. Just going to get Christmas out of the way and then I will dust off the old CV and hope that there is some work available locally :-)

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

Kate Claxton DipAVN(Med)VN — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:27:25 GMT

Hi Clair!

Your boss sounds like my first boss, and the practice sounds very similar - I'm amazed he's even employed a qualified VN, my old boss preferred us to 'do things his way and none of this book-learning'! I managed to train but it was a real struggle. It drove me mad and I eventually moved on to work for PDSA the week I qualified - and the relief was immense. I know it's not much help to say 'leave' with your current situation but VNs with your experience are like gold dust and I'm sure you'd be welcomed with open arms elsewhere. Remember - it's not you, it 's him! x

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

Clair Willis — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:31:05 GMT

Hi Fiona I was so full of all those sort of idea's when we first set up but its been like constantly banging my head against a brick wall! The vet that I work with is extremely stubborn and old fashioned and he took a huge amount of convincing to even advertise that he was opening!! He is very well known and liked around here so we have got more than enough clients to keep him busy but we are not seeing much in the way of unusual cases, combine that with his if he wasn't taught it at uni then it doesn't work attitude you can probably guess that he isn't very receptive to any of the ideas that I have to make my job more fulfilling:-(

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

Fiona Leathers — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:57:09 GMT

Clair I work in the same sort of practice - it is what you make it, have you tried getting in touch with your local paper to see if they'll come and follow you & the vet round for the day? Or do an open day to get people through the door. We use the opportunity of Pet Smile Month, Vaccine Month etc to get our faces in the paper all the time. Other practices may get slightly pee'd with us but the paper is open to anyone doing - they just can't be arsed!!

Honestly put yourself about a bit - do something exciting for VN week and get your "new" clients (they just haven't realised it yet) to see you before coming in!!!

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

Clair Willis — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:39:21 GMT

Reading these posts has helped me too as I am feeling very fed up with my work, I am working as sole nurse in a single man practice which only opened in Jan and the work is so mundane as our client base is still fairly small. Have been considering a change or even leaving nursing for good but am at a loss as to what I could do. I have 2 children at home so locuming is not really possible. Any ideas would be greatly recieved:-)

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

Saskia Quinn — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:52:55 GMT

[quote user="A Little TLC"]

I'm in this club too. You just need to keep talking :)

[/quote]

me too! Dont suffer in silence, this forum is invaluable for support

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

A Little TLC — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:02:13 GMT

I'm in this club too. You just need to keep talking :)

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

Mac Feather — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:16:09 GMT

[quote user="sal the 1st"] I have found this site invaluable for help and support.[/quote]

I second that, so please Shell dont be on your own give any of us a holler.

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

Sal the 1st — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:11:28 GMT

Shell, been there, done that, got the teeshirt and written the book - there are quite a few of us on here have been in the same boat and I have found this site invaluable for help and support. If you want to talk (pm me)I am generally kicking around on here somewhere.

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

Mac Feather — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:13:42 GMT

[quote user="shell30984"]dreaded pills!! [/quote]

There are loads of us that have been on meds at some point or other,myself being one of them. Was in a similar situation as you at one point, fed up of my job,life etc. Was signed off and worrying about money and everything you could think of.

I had a c.p.n and found her help and advice great. Also went to self help group for depression.

Dont suffer on your own, feel free to send me a message (or any of us).

Take care of yourself.

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

Louise B — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:26:57 GMT

Hi Shell,

Don't blame yourself - lots of us on this forum (myself included) have suffered depression, been signed off sick from work, taken the happy pills,etc (and various threads on here to support this statement). Before you do anything drastic careerwise try to work out whether it is nursing per se that is getting you down, the practice you are working at in particular, stuff outside of work that is getting you down or whether you are just feeling down irrespective of what's going on around you. Its a tough one to work out but it will make a difference in terms of working out your next move.

If its nursing that is getting you down there are loads of threads on this site in which nurses talk about alternative jobs that they have managed to get into with the VN qualification and/or experience in a vets.

If its the practice then, like the suggestions above, try switching practices/locumming, etc - and come on here to a) have a moan (we'll all understand!) or to take your mind temporarily off the situation.

If its stuff outside of work or internally-created down-ness (bad way to phrase but I am tired) then be careful about jumping jobs as it will not put right the cause of your down-ness. If you are down generally, even a good job can feel like "hell" becuase you are not in the right frame of mind. In this case, jumping jobs won't help - its the other issues that need dealing with. I know you have said the job is a problem but when I have felt really down sometimes I have unfairly attributed it to my workplace and left behind what, with hindsight, was a good practice.

Only you know your circumstances but it might help to chat to somebody and look at how you feel, why and what solutions might be appropriate. Big hugs! xxx

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

LoveCat — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:46:11 GMT

Don't blame yourself for being ill and at home - I've been there and it really does not help the situation. Try to tell yourself that you do have a legitimate reason for needing a break from work. I know it's not great that you wont get paid for it but try not to worry, thats just a reality of the job that we do.

Good luck with whatever you do next - keep us posted. xxx

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

Maisy — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:47:12 GMT

I would agree with Sally and try something different, even if just temporarily. For me locuming was a great move when I felt at a standstill at my last place. Work shouldn't make you unhappy and stressed, and personally when I feel I'm getting to that stage, I move elsewhere.

As a QVN you would easily find locum work, especially if you are flexible about where you can work.

Hope things turn out okay

Re: Fed Up and making myself ill...what to do???

Sally Howe — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:43:09 GMT

Have you thought about locuming, teaching or being a rep? Still using your skills but in a different way.