Should I leave nursing as I can't continue in such a toxic culture!

[Charliebean123]

Im a mental health nurse. I have struggled to fit in to quite a well established team (family and friends). A couple of tge team are quite toxic and the manager is part of this particular clique. I tried so hard, I became completely burnt out. I have been having some ongoing investigations but they're all coming back reassuring. Which is good as its been such a worry but im still having stomach problems. Feeling really flat and unmotivated. I had a couple of months off sick and when I went back, experienced bullying from a couple of team members and the manager. I tried to go back again and it was awful. Someone had gone on to my Facebook and took a copy of me smiling with my daughter on her birthday and my manager said 'I thought you were unwell'. I have had ct scan, colonoscopy, and then further scans as they found cysts. I had a complete break down as I felt targeted. I am not sleeping and feel this feeling of dread every day. I can't go back. I actually feel like im done with the NHS, done with nursing.

Are you in a union, that sounds frustrating, you should get paid any accrued annual leave on top of your sick pay, what pay are you on,

Talk to your union about how you manage this but the bottom line is that you need to prioritise your well being.

When you say you have 3 weeks sick pay left, is that 3 weeks full pay then drop down to reduced pay which is still an income. You are still on the bank but I don't know if you can work bank if you're off sick, check with hr. I would just resign, possibly on ill health, if you're not in a union you can speak to acas or oh.

Thankyou all.
Im not in a union. I have discussed with OH and they advised me to ask for adjustments but the service are unable to adapt to them.
Im on full pay until this sick leave ends. Then half pay. I can't bank whilst on the sick. I can't afford half pay so need to bank ASAP.
I have tried so hard to manage this but I can't even speak with my manager now. I feel so traumatised by them.
I have spoken to the car lease and they say I have to send the car back. 2.8k. Its frustrating as I will still be earning and im desperately looking for another job.
I was forcing myself to go back because of the car finance but I just can't. I will be able to have my AL pay so probably have a month's pay owed to me.

Resign, you'll get a month's full pay and you can start bank when you've resigned, it's just not worth the grief. Ask for a "special" or patient transfer/ escort shift, we always needed rmn staff, in general wards and a&e.

Ok, thanks. I will ask the bank. I need to do some shadowing because im limited to where I go. Home treatment bank shifts are on there. I have emailed a ward manager twice now about shadowing but she hasn't got back to me.

Is this an nhs mental health hospital, is there a Trust website, you could try the professional development team to ask about shadowing, training and preceptorship. Are you just looking to do bank in a mh setting or general too.

Im only mental health trained. I can't bank on general wards. Just mh services. There are wards but im not experienced enough as I have always worked community. I will email the bank now and ask about shadowing.

You could work as an hca, on a mh or general ward, a band 2 would be no stress and basic essential duties, a b3 or b4 would be OK but as an rmn you might get asked to act up if needed. You must have had training in essential skills during your training or career.

When qualified, we can't work as a hca. We can at a lower band, such as 5. I have looked at band 5 posts, there is nothing out there.
I have emailed the bank and they are going to get back to me re shadowing or further training for the wards. Its not something I'd choose to do but feel I have limited options.
Im joining a teams recruitment next week fir a care company but its alot less pay. I feel terrible saying this but I honestly am not sure if I can 'care' again. Definitely not at the moment. I have no clue what that place has done to me.
The pressure is overwhelming. However, I was thinking last night, can I push myself to go back to save the car fee and stress of wondering how I will pay my bills. I just physically can't 😒
If it was one colleague, but its more.

I had a shit time nursing too so totally get it. Love the job, hate the culture. Went to hospital couple of times myself for chest pain, which was stress. I worked in a private hospital and hated it. I now do support work for disability and have less stress and double the money. It’s hard tho because nursing becomes part of you.

Im so glad you found something else. Your health is so important. We are always told to look after our health but when it inconveniences people, that's a different story.
I can't believe how I have been treated. It has completely changed my outlook.
I have some news a d wanted to share it here as you have all been lovely and helpful. Its been so lonely, so thankyou.
I phoned an agency and they were really helpful. Its working in schools. I have an interview Monday. I also have an interview with a mental health drug and alcohol service but im going to cancel it. It was 10 months only. It was more of an escape. I don't want to do it anymore! I need a break from the health board. They have completely taken all my confidence. So, the school job is less money. Im going to budget. I have to empty my savings as to send the car back. Its 2.8 k (gutted) but I have to start feeling better and I won't in nursing. Im not saying forever (maybe it will be) but for now.
I have mixed emotions but the first time in a while, a little excited to explore something new.

Well done, what a relief, when would the school job start, will you still try and get bank work during the holidays, it might just be worth keeping your pin for now, when's it due for renewal. I worked, as an rgn, with drug and alcohol users and quite enjoyed it, an "unqualifed" support worker in that field pays really well for work in outreach or dual registered hostels. The guardian on Wednesday have these jobs and also charities like St Mungo or rethink, you can keep your options open or decide you'd rather be a play therapist instead, it's your new life now full of new opportunities.

Thankyou. Yes, I will have to bank but my plan is to move health boards. Just bank and see what happens. I have applied to another health board to bank. I can not stay in my current one. Its awful. The drug and alcohol is complex and I spoke to someone about it. I just don't have it in me at the moment.

Double the money for support work? Point me in the right direction!

I left MH nursing for the same reasons. Ironic how mental health nursing staff ruin your mental health. I couldn’t cope with the lack of care and compassion available to patients either. Such a relief to know you never have to go back.

Guardian social care jobs on Wednesday. My dh earned much more than me as a mh support worker, me rgn, especially weekends and sleepovers.

Honestly? Yes.
i used to work in a toxic environment and i burned out badly. Now in a new role and so much happier. It’s not worth it.

I’m a RGN in a nursing home. I’ve never worked for the NHS. Rubbish pay and I’ve heard so much about bullying and toxic cultures. I’m very happy in nursing homes!! Plus way more flexibility with your shifts.

I’ve heard and seen (was in one) the mental health nursing is a high turnover and stressful.