To leave my job?

[lilathewerewolf]

I work in a high pressure MH environment, often doing 12-14 hour shifts dealing with very challenging behaviour. The stress of it is doing me in, I have lost over a stone in the last couple of months as I am often too on-edge to eat, am angry and depressed and often have to cry in the loos on shift, then once I start crying I can't stop. I feel that I have to leave for the sake of my sanity but am afraid of the financial implications. I do have enough savings for a couple of months rent but my DP is concerned that leaving without another job to go to will screw us both over Ashe thinks I will find it hard to get another job. I don't know what to do anymore, I feel like I'm going out of my mind with the stress of it. AIBU to think I can pick up some shifts at Christmas elsewhere and that life's too short to be this fucking miserable?

Leave your job - YADNBU

Thanks Be, I am agonising about it but I know several other people in nursing who are leaving because of the same issues, so I know it's not just me going mad.

Could you not get signed off on the sick while you look for another job?

Can you speak to someone in the Occupational Health Department for some support?

Join the Trust Bank, you are bound to get shifts especially around Christmas and maybe look into joining an Agency too.

If you’re unhappy in your job, and it’s causing you so much distress, it’s best to leave. Look after your own mental health!

Good Luck.

Thank you guys, I know I need to be looking after myself too but it's so hard when you're hard up trying to make ends meet, and then forcing yourself to do punishing hours in what can be a genuinely dangerous environment for the same money I could get working 9-5 in a shop makes me so mad! I guess its time to leave whatever happens.

If you’re done, your done. Working in MH you cant afford to be anything than on the ball- for your own safety and those you are caring for. If you’ve reached burn out, the you need to look after yourself and get out before it destroys you. Good luck and I hope you find something that gives you more peace xx

Yeah move on. Start looking now at what else might interest you - knowing you're leaving will make life more bearable in the short term - and it's just not sustainable to be so anxious and miserable in the long term. You'll clearly have transferable skills you can take to loads of different careers.
What would you advise your patients /clients to do to protect their mental health?

Good luck.

I would advise someone who told me they felt like this to leave. Harder to take your own advice though eh.

If you get sick pay, please get signed off sick for at least two weeks. You are burnt out.

I would definitely recommend going to your GP and getting signed off sick. Give yourself that time to rest and recover from the stress and exhaustion. And then look for another job.

I'm sure your DP is worried but you need to,prioritise your health.

Get signed off. Work should provide some resilience training. Look after yourself for a while and then you’ll be able to make a better, unrushed decision.