I'm so tired, I REALLY want to work from home - I just don't know how!

[TwoAndMe]

I'm a mental health nurse. An exhausted mental health nurse. During the pandemic, it's like a light switch went out and I can not seem to be able to re light it. I struggled being a single parent and the struggle seems to be ongoing.
It's a very long story but became quite unwell physically due to my mental health deteriorating. I lost 2 stone as I couldn't eat (not by choice). Had time off sick. Since going back, had no desire to be there. Changed jobs, twice. If anything it triggers something inside of me that gets me down. I developed an annoying cough after having covid and now it's something I struggle with as it makes me anxious as I'm always needing to throat clear. I have some times lost my breath because of it. I dread meetings.
I have coeliac, so I get very tired easily. Even though I'm very strict with my diet.
I hate traffic (used to love driving).
I hear stories of people working from home walking at lunch, rolling out of bed, cooking tea at 5pm after just logging off. No small talk, no finding things to wear. Paying ridiculous fuel prices.
I have looked for other jobs (less pressured) but I can't meet my wage.
Any suggestions working from home?
Anyone working from home who can direct me?
Sorry if I sound super negative. I just need a change for my wellbeing.

Couldn't you get a job on 111?

Hanks for the message. I'm not general trained, I'm mental health so no.

I think you need to look further into the 111 thing, where I am (Scotland) there’s a big push on mental health resources being available via 111, it’s called the mental health pathway

My friend works as a counselor for an employee benefits programme - mainly phone based. They have call centres that triage clients, people that go out into offices to run sessions etc etc Not sire what you could do exactly but it's a growing industry and someone with your skills might find a role in that type of environment.

Thanks for your message. Oh really. OK, thankyou. I will see if I can look now.
Are you currently working for 111?

Thankyou for your message. I'm wondering where I would look for this type of role.

Are there any agencies that appoint to permanent posts? Might be worth asking them for advice.

My friend is a former nurse and works from home in commissioning for the CCG. I WFH for the local authority.

You obviously need to make a change but I have been working from home since the start of covid and we are now only in the office two days a month. It sounds great but in reality it is really isolating and depending on the job it can make your home feel uncomfortable (if telephone based choose carefully as speaking with people day after day who have issues can make it uncomfortable for everyone in the house). I am sure some wfh roles work really well for some people but I would try an chose something that gives you flexibility to go in if you can just so you have the option as hopefully you won’t feel like this forever xxx

Do the sums carefully. Will you save enough on transport costs and not having to buy lunch etc that you could afford a slight salary drop? Bear in mind that heating your home all day long because you WFH costs a lot.

I think nothing is more important than your healthy and day-to-day wellbeing. Keep looking at any job or mix of jobs that could bring you an equivalent income.

These are all the results from indeed.com if you search the term mental health and location as remote

uk.indeed.com/jobs?q=Mental%20health&l=Remote&vjk=82eea32c23b64ab6

Look at online GP services such a Babylon health - they work remotely, and I've used the service to speak to MH nurses before. Good luck x

Hi twoandme.
What kind of experience in mental health nursing do you have? Have to additional therapy training ( CBT etc..)
The main home based job that springs to mind though is Clinical assessor. ( doing pip assessments). There are always posts advertised . The pace is fast though from what I understand from speaking to people who have done this, and you have high targets to meet- not for everyone!

The grass is not always greener regarding wfh. I’ve suffered terribly as a result of lack of communication and support from leadership and ended up signed off. Workloads are significantly higher and I can’t switch off because my computer is always there goading me. Moving towards part time in the office which will be really helpful.

go to the gp about your cough and get a chest X-ray and steroids (if advised). Coughs are exhausting.

I don't think you can continue in a role that is proving so damaging to your own health op. I would be switching into almost any other job after a break, and prioritise your own wellbeing. You have a child to think of, and already many responsibilities. You may return to nursing in the future, when your child is older and you are feeling stronger but for now, I would ask the GP to sign you off with stress and use the time to rest, sort out any meds to support your recovery and find a new job

Have you got anything like a local Well-being service that might be a possible employer? I have used mine twice - the first time was years ago and it involved attending a course on stress - but it was basically a PowerPoint job, and so I’d have thought a lot less stressful than standard nursing work. The second time it was all phone based (this was pre-pandemic).

Or you could look into mental health charities and see if they’re recruiting?