I'm a Mental Health nurse who wants to get out of nursing....

theoss

Shoey1610 wrote: »

I get what you are saying, but I decided to train 13 years ago with high A Levels (AAB) because I wanted to train in it then. I then wanted to leave for reasons discussed in this thread, so I've spent the last five years studying a self-funded second degree with the OU part time on top of working in mental health nursing.

Please don't assume that we all just coasted into our current situations. We've all made our choices. Have you tried looking for a support worker role?

Suppose what I am saying is with recent changes I imagine that students will apply for courses as it is still 'cheap degree', which can then be used to move into over things.

I wont go into my own circumstances, it's quite boring. What I will say is the current situation was being told by admissions tutors four years ago I was doing the right things to get on, and last week being told I had wasted my time.

The A levels thing annoys me, they are not vocational anyway. I have loads of stuff, including an access course to another university course ten years ago and more recently a post graduate/post experience level 3 cert in counselling- not of which is going to open doors.

Saved enough money to live (scrape through) independantly for three years to get through this (live alone) then I'm told the only way is to quit my job and take a one day a week access course, which seems a heavy price to attend college one day per week. Spend the other four days of the week watching bank account dwindle. Thats where it has to end. I would be more than prepared to attend an access course four nights per week, whilst attending work, but cutting off my income would be financial suicide.

Stressedatwork

Have you ever done nursing? Do you understand the term burnout or are you just completely judgemental?

dawyldthing

you could possibly try support or care work as you'd prob be able to work the 5 days around your access course depending on the employer and will give you a reference in a relevant field

Acehi

Hi Croatoan still in the game?

Croatoan

On the game or in the game?

Still working as an agency nurse yes, but doing something quite different from normal nursing at the moment which suits me fine; although it is still contract work so could end at any time. Still looking for non nursing jobs. I've applied for a few, including minimum wage stuff if it's something I think I'd really enjoy doing, but no luck so far.
I'd like to get into IT as dream jobs (zookeeper, something travelling round the world and so on) are pretty unlikely to happen so am brushing up on my computer skills, though at my age it'll be a struggle and possibly an unrealistic goal. Self employment, which I've done before, would be great, but not enough money to fund it, and tbh I never made any money when I was doing it before.
We live in hope

Acehi

lol cheeky
well i guess its the time of year
:j

Din25

I too trained as an Rmn. I worked for 2 years and felt my career choice was not a great fit. The drain was awful and I constantly practiced self care methods. I finally picked up the courage to get out. I am also hearing from former colleagues that they wish to leave too. It seems to be a common story nowadays.

coin_operated_girl

Hi there,

I'm hoping no one minds if I derail this thread a little bit, but I thought that someone might be able to offer some advice. I have been a mental health support worker for two years. I enjoy my job and I want to stay working in mental health as a career, but I'm not sure exactly what it is that I want to do. I have been offered a management role where I work, but I will most likely decline the offer because I don't want to be stuck behind a desk; I want as much direct service user contact as possible. Due to my lack of enthusiasm for paperwork I have ruled out jobs such as being an advocate. Staying where I am is not an option either as my job isn't particularly challenging and I'm starting to get restless.

I really want to work with people with acute mental illnesses. It seems as though working in a crisis team is the kind of job I'm looking for, but for health reasons I can't work nights and all the jobs I've seen so far require this as part of the shift pattern. Working in a psychiatric hospital is something I'm considering as well, but I don't know whether its best to look at private or NHS hospitals. I was just wondering if anyone else has any other suggestions (one thing I know for sure is that I don't want to be a nurse; my mum is a nurse and she has well and truly put me off that idea ever since I was a child!). Oh and I've just completed a psychology degree with the OU and I REALLY don't want to do any more studying.

TIA.

Croatoan

If I were you I'd aim to get in the NHS, but don't rule out private as NHS jobs can be tough to come by. Being unable to work nights will be a problem as mental health wards are 24/7 places and generally, but perhaps not always, you'll be expected to do some nights. Your choice may have to be dependent on what services are available in your area as jobs on wards in mental health are fairly few and far between.
And you're right: if you don't like paperwork you definitely don't want to become a nurse.

Racheldevon

Have you considered IAPT - low or high intensity practitioner routes? It wouldn't give you the crisis element you're after, but is a structured way to develop - I believe the posts are band 4 during the year of training, and band 5 upon completion of the training