To leave my job?

[Mattietoes]

Context: I am 25, worked for quite a few years when I left school then went to university at 22 and studied psychology. Have always thought I would pursue a career in clinical psychology. Worked from 18-22 in various jobs but nothing I have stuck with.

At the beginning of November I started a job in a mental health unit (care assistant). Before I started the job I got a book deal for quite a lot of money, but decided to take on the job anyway, as I thought focusing on writing would be too rash when it's such an unpredictable field (I might never make any more money from writing and have always wanted a regular salary).

The job is good experience and would be good on my CV, but I am finding it a HUGE struggle. 13 hour days, regular night shifts and 2.5 hour commute each way. I could cope with all that and know many people cope with worse, but while I am at the job I hate it. The patients can't help it as they are unwell, but they are abusive (verbally and physically) and my colleagues are unfriendly. I often cry on the way to/from work and this morning vomited before going in due to anxiety.

I am torn between thinking I should stick it out for a few months so that I can put it on my CV/ask them for a reference, and just wanting to cut my losses and stop being so unhappy. I recognise I am in a very privileged position to have the financial cushion of the book deal and feel like I should be making the most of this time when there are lots more years of my life where I will have to work a 'regular' job. To complicate matters, I now have work I need to do on the book (editing) and am finding it impossible to manage it while I am so exhausted and miserable from work.

Would I be unreasonable to leave??

There will always be mental health care assistant jobs available. Go for it.

Is there a reason you took a job with such a huge commute? That was never likely to be sustainable.

If you want to one day secure a DClinPsy place you are going to need a really impressive CV with good experience in the NHS in the field. So what is your plan if you ditch this particular post?

Why did you leave all your other jobs?

It’s hard to believe you are even asking.

You hate your job and if you are estimating your day correctly, it’s an 18hour day door to door. You’ve now been offered your dream situation and are dithering?

You thought the role would suit you, it doesn’t. Steep learning curve. You are 25 and have a fabulous opportunity so make the very best use of it and write a worthwhile book that has your full attention and energy.

In retrospect it was a v bad plan and I should have known it was unsustainable! Think I just panicked as at the time there weren't many jobs advertised closer to where I live and have always been anxious about being behind peers (because of going to university late) so just wanted to be working to feel level with them.

Haven't really 'left' jobs through choice in the past - after leaving school I had a job that was fixed term for two years (working on a specific project), maternity cover for one year then another job I did for a year before leaving to go to university.

but isn't writing a book justifiable 'work' to put on your CV for this period. I know you need to build up a lot of experience but is the book deal completely unrelated to your planned choice of profession?

You r so young! Ditch the job and focus on the book. On job applications where it asks reasons for leaving, you can state 'left to work on editing x book with y publisher due to having had book accepted for publication'. While you are taking a break, look for a job closer to home (care assistants are in huge demand everywhere) to gain the experience for the DClinPsy.

Have you got an MSc? You pretty much need one for a place on the DClinPsy these days. Maybe while working on your book, apply for Msc courses starting September. When on the course (they r usually only a day or two even thought they r called full time), find another care post and start searching Assistant Psych posts.

Many people start the DClinPsy in their 30s. The average age to start is 27, so you have a few more years to gain experience.

Try and find a job that is supervised by a clinical psychologist. They will support you in your journey and help you think about what goes wrong on jobs you undertake.

Give yourself a break. Do an MSc and focus on the book.

Having publishing experience and good writing skills are great for the DClinPsy application form (I rate them, so I know!)

Also, if you've not already, check out this link www.clinpsy.org.uk/forum/

Loads of tips and a useful forum on there for aspiring clinical psychologists