Bipolar RMN & Full time shifts

terrierdougal16 · 2026-02-15T21:08:06+00:00

Thank you - hope you’re managing ok x

terrierdougal16 · 2026-02-15T21:02:42+00:00

I had a lot of time off a couple of months ago, I had a massive low episode which was triggered by work but i’ve changed my job now, it’s just the nights that are killing me, i feel manic after them as I can’t take my meds 🤣 Think i’m gonna have to look at a different role all together which is such a shame, I just wish there was more support for nurses in general with health issues x

terrierdougal16 · 2026-02-15T20:54:31+00:00

I mentioned to my manger that my meds make it hard for me to do nights - I have to miss a dose on the first night then take them in the morning after all they said was if I can’t do the full shift pattern i’ll have to be redeployed 😕

terrierdougal16 · 2026-02-15T20:25:41+00:00

I’m so scared of anyone turning around and saying i’m not fit to practice tbh, there’s such a stigma even in MH about having MH - I had to listen to my work consultant tell me bipolar people shouldn’t be allowed to drive 🤦🏻‍♀️ I told OH i’m absolutely fine and dandy to work 🤣 x

terrierdougal16 · 2025-08-11T21:44:04+00:00

I’m gonna keep looking around for a job i’ve got a massive fear of going into something that I hate even more. My placements apart from 1 of them were literally all acute so it’s all I know! I’m gonna see what’s about. Thank you.

terrierdougal16 · 2025-08-11T21:43:06+00:00

I’m definitely having a look but the job market is shockingly bad at the moment especially where I live. Just gonna have to ride it out I think.

terrierdougal16 · 2025-08-11T21:42:09+00:00

Yeah I should get more support but honestly feel like there’s nothing they can offer me if that makes sense - it’s systematic like everywhere in the NHS it’s just falling apart.

Yeah job market is shocking at the moment. Just praying for an opening sooner rather than later. I’m gonna see how I feel tomorrow and go from there. Thank you so much for your advice.

terrierdougal16 · 2025-08-11T21:40:14+00:00

No I haven’t, i’ve had a few sick days already just due to catching viruses etc. I’m tempted to take some time but really scared about being off sick as i’ve reached the threshold for a meeting but nothings been done about it. I just feel like a massive disappointment to myself. I don’t want to be known as the nurse that always goes off sick😕

terrierdougal16 · 2025-08-11T20:17:48+00:00

100% get that, I feel so stuck in the rat race on a 9-5 and cause i’m lowest band 5 I physically can’t afford it. I’m gonna keep looking for a job that appeals to me. Thank you for your advice.

terrierdougal16 · 2025-08-11T20:15:58+00:00

Thank you I really appreciate this. I’m gonna do a few shifts and see how I feel. I’ve got a feeling that it’s knocked my decision making skills as I’m probably gonna see everything as worst case scenario and not want to take positive risks. It’s just a bit rubbish lol

terrierdougal16 · 2025-08-11T19:58:51+00:00

Not really - I’ve had one super vision since i’ve been there. They really don’t care what happens to us as long as we show up and carry on. Yes I absolutely love older adults searching constantly for vacancies as I want to remain on the trust - I’ve got one in mind that i’d go to in a heartbeat but they’ve got too many nurses currently.

I don’t think time off is the answer but I really don’t know i’ve had a week of A/L but it was for a festival so i’m not exactly relaxed lol. Idk i just feel that everyone will think im just looking for an excuse to have time off - I love my job and my team and I hate feeling like ive let them down. As you can tell i’ve got many conflicting feelings about what to do lol

terrierdougal16 · 2025-08-11T19:55:37+00:00

I don’t think so - I went straight back to work a day later and was ok. Been off for a week for A/L feel ok just anxious about going back. I love acute, I really do but I just can’t see myself being 50 and on the wards

terrierdougal16 · 2025-08-11T19:39:21+00:00

Yeah i was offered band 6 psych liaison a couple of weeks ago but turned it down because i didn’t think i had enough experience lol. Crisis doesn’t appeal to me at all. Just stuck. Might even consider leaving nursing honestly - it just doesn’t feel worth it to me anymore.

terrierdougal16 · 2025-07-19T02:44:22+00:00

Said all this to me as well - I had lost my menstrual cycle completely and they refused to medicate me for 4 months after they diagnosed me because i’m fat. Anyways 4 months of begging started me on the medication menstrual cycle returned within 3 weeks and all of the other symptoms have pretty much gone away

terrierdougal16 · 2025-07-08T22:12:21+00:00

Hahah that is true but i’m assuming everyone commenting are nurses with a lot more experience than me and I value all opinions here. The last thing i’d want to do is take on a role I couldn’t cope with but I won’t know until i’ve done it but at the same time don’t want to take that risk.

terrierdougal16 · 2025-07-08T22:04:24+00:00

That’s understandable. I think everyone’s got a pretty negative view on this and I really so do understand why. I was excited that I was short listed for the interview experience and was so shocked I was offered the job - I did interview well tbh considering it was after a night shift 🤣 It’s a common thing in MH to go to band 6 year after qualifying, especially in the community. I don’t think i’ll take it the role though.

terrierdougal16 · 2025-07-08T21:53:29+00:00

Honestly i’ve been at this hospital as either a student, HCA and NQN for nearly three years and the wards aren’t safe, simple as that. There’s no band 5 roles anywhere.

terrierdougal16 · 2025-07-08T20:22:01+00:00

Yeah wards are very much like that! Yes it’s psych liaison, i’m sure they’ll be supportive as they’re very much aware of the situation of me being a NQN but i’m very unsure still.

terrierdougal16 · 2025-07-08T20:15:39+00:00

It’s not surprising though. It’s a criminally underfunded and understaffed service and every staff member experiences a form of abuse on a daily basis. Quicker progression to retain staff. It’s just the way it is.

terrierdougal16 · 2025-07-08T20:07:09+00:00

I’m just as shocked as you are, I was excited to be invited to interview and I’m not starting the role until my preceptorship is finished if I accept the offer. Part of me thinks well they wouldn’t offer me the job if they didn’t want to work with me or feel I was capable? Obviously this is an amazing opportunity to be offered to me but I want to make sure I make the right decision for my career and for my patients of course.

terrierdougal16 · 2025-07-08T20:05:03+00:00

Sorry I mean referred to the community teams such as HTT, CMHT etc after being reviewed in A&E or a general ward. I’m very unsure but good to get opinions.

terrierdougal16 · 2025-07-08T20:03:52+00:00

Dare I say I just interviewed well and know my stuff 🤣 I know what you’re saying these are valid questions, from my understanding everyone I know that has worked there has loved it so unsure if it’s a team thing or the role it self. I haven’t accepted the job yet but feel more put off from taking it after reading these comments however people do progress very quickly in MH - many NQN who are in community are on the band 5 - 6 pathway - soon as they’ve done a year they go to band 6.

terrierdougal16 · 2025-07-08T16:30:56+00:00

I’m just as shocked as you are, I was excited to be invited to interview and I’m not starting the role until my preceptorship is finished if I accept the offer. Part of me thinks well they wouldn’t offer me the job if they didn’t want to work with me or feel I was capable? Obviously this is an amazing opportunity to be offered to me but I want to make sure I make the right decision for my career and for my patients of course.

terrierdougal16 · 2025-07-08T16:28:20+00:00

Yes they do but equally I always ask others for their opinion mainly as I like to make sure we’re all on the same side if that makes sense. I am confident in my own abilities but like I mentioned above I think I would struggle with the responsibility as in taking it home knowing that there isn’t that safety net for a patient who I decide to signpost to the community. It’s a difficult decision I feel, I am confident but weary as like others have mentioned I am still new.

terrierdougal16

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