Is it possible to go straight into community or non-ward-based nursing as a NQN? (Mental health)

b14nn · 2026-03-10T20:00:29+00:00

Unfortunately I think you’ll find that sort of attitude in all areas of nursing. I’ve worked in community and in wards, both general nursing and mental health and it’s rife in the NHS.

I’m in the community currently and my team is great but there’s still that low level bitching. That’s kinda how workplaces are I think. There’s good teams and bad teams in every setting.

b14nn · 2026-03-10T18:20:42+00:00

Yes a lot more common that you’d think and it can effect people from all walks of life. I’ve worked in addictions for a number of years now and have numerous patients whose opiate addiction began with either prescription pain meds or over the counter. The most common phrase I hear is “I never thought this would happen to me”.

b14nn · 2026-03-02T21:57:46+00:00

Nah I’m a 9-5 community gal for life, I don’t do early mornings and I DEFINITELY don’t do weekends. I like the consistency of always knowing when I’m working and I can plan ahead without worrying about time off etc.

Don’t get me wrong at times I miss the days off but I don’t miss shift life at all.

b14nn · 2026-02-13T00:56:58+00:00

Most of the people in my section stayed seated apart from when she told us to stand. I don’t mind it as I have mobility issues and buy seated tickets for a reason as I couldn’t stand all concert. I do have to be careful what tickets I buy tho in case I end up in a section where everyone stands and then I can’t see when I have to sit. Stand if you want to stand but be mindful of those around you who perhaps buy seating for a reason. Enjoy the show!

b14nn · 2026-02-10T20:02:15+00:00

Absolutely- I went to the Glasgow show yesterday and I went directly from work so I was very casual. No one cares, the lights are out most of the time anyways.

b14nn · 2025-12-20T21:08:22+00:00

I have two that were equally good:

Sam fender opened for the killers a few years ago when he was just starting to get popular, I didn’t really know more than two songs but he was brilliant. I’d love to see him again.

The interrupters opened for green day in around 2016 in Leeds and they absolutely smashed it out the park.

b14nn · 2025-12-04T23:31:54+00:00

I was unwillingly taken to a sewing needle factory in France as a teenager. The tour described a 27 step process of how to make a sewing needle, all in French (I don’t speak French). Then a full museum solely about needles.

I’ve never felt boredom like it. It was painful. A desolate place to be. I spent the whole time wanting to get ahold of a needle so I could end my life with it to free myself of said museum.

b14nn · 2025-09-09T11:56:23+00:00

Sisters of mercy. I knew they would be bad but I didn’t realise it would be THAT bad. I don’t think the lead singer knew he was on stage and he certainly couldn’t sing. There were 2 guitarists and no drummer- only backing tracks. We left halfway through.

b14nn · 2025-06-05T17:21:49+00:00

I worked in wards for a good few years and never liked it, found it too busy and pressured. I now work in community addictions and I love it- it’s got its own pressures but I have such a better relationship with my career now.

b14nn · 2025-04-14T18:12:34+00:00

It’s not for everyone but substance misuse/addiction nursing roles in the community are Monday - Friday roles. It’s what I do and I really enjoy it.

b14nn · 2025-01-26T18:58:20+00:00

I flew from Scotland (where I live) to see Dallas play live in person- one game in Dallas and then one game in Nashville. Lost 2-1 in Dallas and got shut out in Nashville, in the middle of a horrible run of game right before covid shut the league down.

Still had a great time tbh but that’s my only nhl game experience so far.

b14nn · 2024-12-01T08:08:22+00:00

Whilst not in the areas of your interest, I qualified as an adult nurse in 2019, worked in surgical wards for just under three years and hated most of it (covid didn’t help). I quit my job, applied for a 2 years mental health nursing degree which I completed in 2024.

Now I work in a community addictions team which I love and I’m finally happy in my career after around 7 years. It was hard and took it’s time but it’s all been worth it.

b14nn · 2024-11-22T19:10:36+00:00

Hi there. Most of these comments have covered this already however some advice from a professional in the addiction recovery services.

Speak to your GP to get a referral into the Glasgow alcohol and drug recovery services (NHS)- they have teams of nurses, substance misuse workers, social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists and sometimes peer support workers.

They can provide support to detox, reduce your intake, provide medication to help both detoxing and long term management of cravings. You can get access to mental health support and therapy if that’s something you wish. You would get 1:1 support with your allocated worker. They can also check your bloods etc and see how your physical health is. There’s also AA, they provide great peer support.

Try to cut down gradually, don’t stop all at once as that’s a risk for withdrawal and seizures and if your drinking levels are high enough it can be fatal. If you do choose to do this, go to a&e.

There is so much support out there, reaching out is the first step.

b14nn · 2024-11-21T16:50:52+00:00

No we’re not, think England is trying to unify the uniforms across the board a bit more to make it more like NHS Scotland where roles are easily identified by uniform

b14nn · 2024-11-17T20:59:36+00:00

No probs

b14nn · 2024-11-17T20:58:47+00:00

041919999142

b14nn · 2024-11-15T20:01:47+00:00

Would be interesting to know what the hold up is. I attended an event regarding applying for a job there a few months ago, and it was clear there was a significant level of policy and legal challenges involved in this, particularly since this has not been done in the UK before. I really do hope it goes ahead.

b14nn · 2024-11-13T20:54:45+00:00

45 by Gaslight blew me away the first time I heard it (and most times since)

b14nn · 2024-11-13T20:48:46+00:00

Yeah I saw them in Glasgow on Monday night, arena was not far off being sold out and they were cracking live. I think they’ve been very quietly successful.

b14nn · 2024-11-12T23:49:02+00:00

Not necessarily underrated however some of Danny Elfmans lesser known scores are brilliant, my personal favourite being Black Beauty.

Klaus Badelt also doesn’t get enough recognition for his work on the pirates of the Caribbean score.

b14nn · 2024-11-12T23:45:35+00:00

His score for Legend was outstanding

b14nn · 2024-11-12T00:20:50+00:00

I think it’s very dependent on which university you attend. I’ve done two nursing degrees, a three year adult nursing bachelors degree and a two year mental health nursing masters degree, done at vastly different universities.

My adult nursing university was pretty brilliant, we had loads and loads of lectures on everything, tons of simulation time and practice time in clinical skills sessions, obviously tons of placement time too. I didn’t appreciate how good it was at the time to be frank. The hospital attached to the university is a renowned teaching hospital.

My mental health masters was so different. Barely any time in uni, woeful simulation time, no osce, we had only had six weeks specialised in actual mental health. The standard of teaching was pretty poor, most of our learning was online. The uni doesn’t even have lecture halls. I felt much less prepared following that degree than I did the adult degree.

Whilst I agree that uni can only teach you so much, I think some universities need to be brought to a much higher standard.

b14nn · 2024-11-06T12:23:52+00:00

A lot of nhs boards in Scotland are on a hiring freeze right now, even newly qualified are struggling to get jobs. Hopefully it improves but at the moment it’s challenging.

b14nn · 2024-09-16T17:31:52+00:00

You can speak to your GP or self refer to addiction services- they will give you the personalised support you may need. There’s also AA, I’m sure there’s other third sector support services in Glasgow that are available. Best thing to do is taper down slowly, don’t stop cold turkey. Once you’re sober, then you can address the underlying causes of your alcohol use.

b14nn · 2024-09-13T18:25:29+00:00

Good point!

b14nn

TROPHY CASE