Mask wearing

[Simony]

I'm a student nurse, have suffered with anxiety and panic attacks for many years, and was on medication for many years too but not at present.

When on clinical placement I am expected to wear a mask. For my previous placements I have managed, they have been understanding and my anxiety was relatively low so I muddled though.

My current placement is where I'm struggling. They demand masks be work for the whole shift and at present my anxiety is high and I am massively struggling to the point I was sent home because I couldn't wear the mask.

As a student I don't have the same options for redployment as I would if I were qualified as I need to gain my clinical practice hours. I'm awaiting an appointment with occupational health and to see what options I have.

I've also contacted my GP for an appointment to see if there is medication they could offer me to help whilst going through this period.

Just wanted to know if anyone else has been in this situation?

Thank you

Wouldn't it be necessary sometimes even in a non global pandemic?

Not in my field of nursing and sometimes would probably be more manageable.

If you are a nurse you will surely have to wear one all the time. My husband is a HCP and has to wear one all the time on 12 hour shifts, I think you will have to accept it as part of the job.

It's not a case of not accepting it. Am happy to wear one but when my anxiety is so high with panic attacks it is very difficult and debilitating. I was asking if anyone had the same experience.

I have complex PTSD and anxiety and panic attacks which I keep well under control with citalopram. I have to or I'd be sent home.
I'm a dual qualified nurse and allied professional, not wearing a mask is not allowed.
The right medication at the right dose should sort it out. You shouldn't be working with with vulnerable people with untreated mental health problems, self refer to occupational health. I find them very helpful.

I am allowed to be on placement even though I have anxiety, it has been manageable for many years until recently and I have already been referred to occupational health. I've advised if I was qualified I could be redpolyed to an area where mask wearing would be a minimal requirement i.e. no or minimal patient contact but I'm not sure of the options as a student nurse. I was looking for anyone who's been in a similar situation to see how they managed.

If you were an employee and couldn't wear the PPE required to carry out the role, redeployment may be appropriate.

As a student nurse though, you're sent to specific departments to learn how to do specific tasks within them so redeployment wouldn't be possible because then you wouldn't learn the skills intended IYSWIM.

I think the reasonable adjustment most appropriate in this case would be to allow you to defer your studies until normal practice resumes.

@CaptainMyCaptain

If you are a nurse you will surely have to wear one all the time. My husband is a HCP and has to wear one all the time on 12 hour shifts, I think you will have to accept it as part of the job.

Not in "normal" times though. I must have seen dozens, hundreds of nurses over the years for blood tests, smears, in hospital post natal wards, after surgery. None wear masks unless in a theatre or recovery after an operation.

If you're a ward nurse or a practice nurse then you're not wearing masks in "normal" times.