Any mental health nurses that have had a career change/dislike their job? Please help?

[cupcakesmakeyouhappy]

I'm a mature student who decided after a divorce would go back to school and prove I was more than what I was made to feel. I chose nursing because I consider myself to have all the values a nurse shoud have. I chose mental health as I have experienced it from a young age (family).
I'm 18 months in and really do not enjoy the academic side and not enjoyed any placements. I have not found an area I enjoy. It actual makes my mental health worse and has bought back so many bad memories. I'm disappointed in myself as it's what I chose but expected different. So not only am i trying to meet deadlines, work and be a single mum the end career prospects don't really keep me motivated. Also all I hear is the pressures of nursing now. Too much is expected. People are leaving the profession.
I have nothing to fall back on as I was a stay at home mum. I have a mortgae to pay and dcs. It's like I have no choice. I would look a failure if I gave up now. I'd be letting my dc's down. It's making me so so unhappy. I have been to the doctor recently and been prescribed anti depressants.
I'm sorry to sound so negative but I have no one to talk to and so much responsibility. It all feels like too much.

For example, you could go into private practice, occupational health, health visiting, school nursing. You could do a masters in psychological therapies, or work as a student mental health mentor. You don't have to work as a nurse x

FruitCider thanks for your reply:)
Sounds like you really enjoy your job, which is fab! That's the thing, I don't know if it's for me. Its such a massive decision to make as I'm not getting any younger.
To be honest, I'm unaware of the many opportunities. We get a very small amount of time in practise and with so much uni work and juggling work and childcare, I take one week at a time and don't look too far out of the box. I'm really grateful for you sharing that with me :)
Thankyou for your support :)

FruitCider your job sounds amazing!

Thanks DogsKnees I do feel very lucky!

Cupcake have you looked on NHS jobs to see what is actually out there in your region? I ended up working somewhere completely unrelated to my placements, I had early intervention in psychosis, open acute ward, open rehab ward, mother and baby unit, recovery CMHT, later life functional/dementia. I did bank work for the crisis team and secure services. I had worked with addicts, but in hostels and supported housing schemes. I thought I wanted to go into PICU and was really nervous about physical healthcare, but strangely I really enjoy pulling staples out of people's heads

I guess my point was, finish the degree anyway as you only have 18 months left and see where it will take you x

FruitCider that is a good idea. Just tap in to Google 'mental health nursing'? I know that's a silly question but unaware of positions open to my nurses, there are so many. For example your position. I didn't even know about it.
I worked with early intervention into psychosis and found it really interesting.
I'm glad you have found a job you enjoy, it does sound good :) (apart from the pulling staples haha)

Go on NHS jobs and search for band 5 jobs in your area.

www.jobs.nhs.uk

You can do an advanced search and put the band down, you can also narrow the search by miles away from your nearest town.

What I did, when applying for jobs in my third year, was rather than looking for a job that I definitely wanted I made a list of characteristics I didn't want, e.g. I didn't want community, didn't want open acute, didn't want to work in private sector, and ruled things out by reading the job spec.

FruitCider Thankyou:) I have just been on the link and for the first time in about 4 months felt a little bit of hope. Didn't know they still had mother and baby units. They don't here in Wales. I thought you had to be band 6 for camhs but it's 5 and opportunities to work up to band 6.

Wanted to come and say hello as I totally identify with a lot of what you have been writing. I'm a doctor working full-time (and training) in mental health with 3 young dcs at home. I know how hard it can be to combine work and academic work with family life and also how hard mental health is.

I've known for years I wanted to do mental health but now actually working there is quite depressing. I find people's lives totally depressing and it feels that nobody really wants to make the effort to change and if they do the services are so rubbish they've not got much of a chance. I've started massively doubting my choice but I've recently had some great conversations with some inspirational nurses and doctors I work with. Quite a few people I've opened up to have suggested I could be the one making the difference and fighting against the services being so rubbish. My DH told me too I should just try to think I could define how I work and try to be the person making the difference.

I can identify with you saying work brings back bad memories. I was what could only be described as eupd 10-15 years ago and had several admissions. That's totally in the past but I find sometimes this type of patients or staff talking about these patients brings back bad memories and I struggle to distance myself from it all. I'm still undecided in whether to wear short sleeves at work and be open about past self-harming or whether to continue keeping it hidden. It all comes so close and definitely affects my mood too. Sometimes positively as well though and not just negatively. I'm still undecided in whether to change my speciality so curiously reading your thoughts and how your plans develop. You sound like a lovely person. I really hope you'll find a job that will make you happy.

Is there any flexibility in your placements? I'd really recommend looking at one in the voluntary sector to give you a sense of what opportunities are there too. I'm not from a nursing background but I work with lots of nurses who are involved in helpline work and a colleague is a specialist trainer and works in housing support from qualifying as an RMN. There are more choices than possibly any of us know and you sound v reflective which will really be an asset. Good luck!

StormyIsland hello :) I understand what you are saying but yes, highly believe you can make a difference. This is what has kept me going up until now. I have come across some lovely nurses who are so passionate about their jobs and it really is uplifting but also come across some not so compassionate and I question why. That's a whole other story.
It sound's like you have overcome so much and that in itself is inspiring to read :) you are doing a great job. I know how difficult it is and I know nobody has all the answers but it truly has helped posting here. I hope it helps you too :)
doricgirl Thankyou :) yes, I feel there is more open to me than what I even began to imagine. I really appreciate the support and advice here.
Meow34 thankyou :) let me just say, I do apologise if I have come across negative. It has absolutely nothing to do with anyone I have supported during my placements. There is nothing more I want when working is to be able have a positive impact. Its more to do with my own insecurities and doubts with juggling work/uni/children, its been hard. There are some fantastic nurses out there. They are my hero's. They truly want to make a difference and your kind words prove they are. That really makes me happy for you.
I want to say I am truly grateful for each and every post :)