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Original poster

Handing in my notice 2 weeks on - can I do this? Is there anyone who can help me please?

27 replies

Lillycake · 07/05/2019 11:06

I qualified in March as a mental health nurse. Accepted my first role under pressure as I'm a single parent with a mortgage to pay. Long story short- I have made a HUGE mistake. It's too far (50 miles) and costs 20 pound in fuel a day. The training courses are a further 40 minutes away. I can't financially afford this.
Not only that, I struggle with my back and recently it's been getting worse. Off to the GP today. I may need to see a chiropractor again. The position I accepted is on a forensic ward and part of the training is restraint training. I can't possibly do that at the moment with my back so bad. I understand it's part of the position, hence my second thoughts.
I have decided to put my decision to accept this position as a big boo boo! I'm not sure what to do now? I have told them I'm having reservations regarding the position due to finances and they know I have hurt my back. Can I hand my notice in without going back? I am phoning my manager today. Can I do this over the phone? My GP will probably give me a sick note and I'm probably going to be good for nothing for a couple of weeks anyway. I need to apply for benefits asap and look elsewhere (where I do not need restraint training).

OP posts:
flowery · 07/05/2019 11:22

You can tell your manager over the phone and follow up with an email or something, yes. But as you are clearly not fit for work anyway at the moment, and it doesn't sound like you have another job to go to, why rush to resign? Get yourself signed off sick and look for another job, then once you've found something -anything - nearer home, resign at that point.

Original poster
Lillycake · 07/05/2019 11:46

Thankyou flowery. I have only been there 2 weeks. Been studying for 5 years so unsure of the legal protocols. I would feel terrible being paid after only being there that long. I thought I'd claim benefits until I find something else. Just picked up painkillers and hoping to find something asap as I can't afford not to work.

OP posts:
flowery · 07/05/2019 11:58

I doubt you'll get very long sick pay with such short service so I wouldn't worry about feeling terrible about them paying you.

I don't know anything about benefits but I would also doubt you'll get those very easily if you voluntarily resign a job.

BuzzPeakWankBobbly · 07/05/2019 12:08

It's too far (50 miles) and costs 20 pound in fuel a day.

That seems like a massive amount of fuel, are you sure? And/or what are you driving to be so excessively thirsty?
(I get around 400miles out of a tank of diesel in my car, which costs ~£45. Are you saying the same distance costs you £160?)

iI you could fix the transport costs would the job be bearable wrt the other issues?

Original poster
Lillycake · 07/05/2019 12:16

It's 105 miles there and back. I have to pick dc's up on my way home so a further 5 miles. That's what I have been putting in.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lillycake · 07/05/2019 12:19

I feel there were a few issues. The training days were further away and as a newly qualified would be attending a few. I feel the type of ward is not for me, however maybe would have continued until I found something suitable.

OP posts:
BlitzenandMikey · 07/05/2019 15:13

Not sure where you stand with benefits if you voluntarily give up your paid job? Maybe seek advice from CAB, just to be sure? It does sound as though that particular ward isnt for you, but what about another settying?

Perhaps go off sick for now, until you can find something more suitable?

Lazypuppy · 07/05/2019 15:31

Don't bank on benefits as you are voluntarily making yourself redundant

Original poster
Lillycake · 07/05/2019 15:35

I'm not banking on them. I'm actively looking for other positions. I have struggled financially for 2 months, I'm sure I will be ok if I can not claim anything.

OP posts:
BlitzenandMikey · 07/05/2019 15:50

Have you checked to see whether you are entitled to anything anyway? For example. the child element of UC or CTC/WTC? Can you sign up to do bank work for now, until you get something else?

Hiddenaspie1973 · 07/05/2019 15:53

Hi,
You can't claim bens if you do resign. I see you're looking at sick leave which may be your best option.
Those distances and your back sound unsustainable.
Best of luck x x

Original poster
Lillycake · 07/05/2019 16:11

Thankyou for your messages. I have already told them that the position is not suitable. It was for only 2 weeks, I wasn't included in the numbers. However still employed. I guess I won't be able to apply for benefits then. I made a mistake accepting. Alot of my cohort went straight onto benefits so they could have a break before employment after a long hard degree. I rushed into employment as I was afraid of the financial implications. Now that has backfired.

OP posts:
BlitzenandMikey · 07/05/2019 16:33

It hasn't backfired permanently though Lilly. It is just that you felt pressured into accepting a position, for financial reasons. I have accepted a role which is only part time and where the pay is poor, purely because I need a job. Am now frantically seeking another job (either part time, to supplement this one, or full time). The point being, it is NEVER easy.

Back to you. Agree with the PP. Take sick leave and look for something more suitable. I feel sure there is something you could do where you could make use of your well earned MH degree. It may not happen overnight, but hang in there..

flowery · 07/05/2019 17:32

"A lot of my cohort went straight onto benefits so they could have a break before employment after a long hard degree."

That's not what benefits are for. I don't know the technicalities but anyone who is choosing to go on to benefits for a break when they could be working must surely be committing benefits fraud. And not committing fraud and instead doing the right thing is never, ever a mistake. Hold your head high.

"I rushed into employment as I was afraid of the financial implications. Now that has backfired"

You have a family to support, so there is no such thing as 'rushing' into employment. Go off on sick leave, I'm sure you'll get more than whatever benefits you'd have been entitled to anyway, and use the next two or three weeks to find yourself employment locally.

Original poster
Lillycake · 07/05/2019 17:34

BlitzenandMikey thankyou. I hope you find something soon.
I have already told them the the position is going to prove difficult. Therefore, I can't now say I will continue on the sick until I find other employment. I can't remain on the sick and make out I'm going back either as I would feel dishonest (it is dishonest).
I will seek employment and hopefully something will come up as my preceptorship is really important too. As my manager reminded me whilst I was on the phone to him today. I don't want to out of work too long as I will lose confidence. My confidence in transistion from student to nurse isn't great to begin with.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lillycake · 13/05/2019 09:22

I have to tell them today if I am staying as they gave me time to think about it. I am a single parent with a mortgage to pay so sensibly should stay. I just feel physically sick thinking about going back. I have not thought about much else since starting and my mood is so low. Its like i can't make plans to enjoy myself as this is over my head. I question if I want to be a nurse - I can't throw my degree away though as I worked so hard to get it. Hated my training but thought I'd find an area I enjoyed. I have applied for 3 posts (One being something I would enjoy more so) but obviously it's not guaranteed. I have been offered a position away from nursing (Do not need a pin) but so scared of not giving myself enough time to make a complete decision, if I want to continue with it (nursing) or not.

What would you do? I feel so much pressure, it's awful.

OP posts:
bellalou1234 · 13/05/2019 09:24

Yes im sure you can, you may pass probation period if you cant do the restraint training. Are the jobs closer to home you can aply for? That is along commute on top of a sressful job.

bellalou1234 · 13/05/2019 09:26

Not

Original poster
Lillycake · 13/05/2019 10:55

I have been looking. I really don't want to work in any services within mental health as I really can't as it impacts on my own mental health. I just don't know what to do. I feel like I should move away from mental health nursing altogether. I feel too much pressure.

OP posts:
SouthWestmom · 13/05/2019 11:21

Not being funny but I don't understand why you spent five years train g to be a mental health nurse if you can't work in the field because if your own mental health?

Original poster
Lillycake · 13/05/2019 11:46

My mental health was healthy before studying.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lillycake · 13/05/2019 11:48

Many times I wanted to give it up but I felt I had no choice as a single mum but to keep moving forward with it. Once i was in it i couldn't just leave. I was always told when asked for advice that I would find an area, I could use my degree elsewhere, you can't give up now as you have worked so hard.

OP posts:
SouthWestmom · 13/05/2019 12:11

Oh that's really stressful. Maybe adult social services? So an assistant?

Lightsabre · 13/05/2019 15:02

Can you find a job in a nursing home or similar - there are always shortages, however you may need to do shifts but it's gentler work than on a forensic ward. Then look for something in the community - by way of bank work maybe? It would be a shame to give up your registration after just qualifying.

Prequelle · 13/05/2019 15:10

If you're NHS the notice period for an RN is 6-8 weeks. You need to do this in writing.

I'm an RN and I can say that a lot of newly qualifieds have wobbles about being a nurse. It's a huge shock to the system when you're finally qualified and think shit... I'm actually responsible for people's lives. It gets easier. Not much better, but easier to deal with.

You might try to sign up for agencies?

Weird how so many of your cohort went on to benefits. The statistics from our local universities have very high 'straight into work' numbers

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