[Mollywisk]

Told him I was released to return to work next Tuesday. He seemed ok. We will see how it goes.

I'm not sure I can handle this stressful job and I'm worried.

[wildflowerchild25]

i'm starting work again on tuesday as well. i'm nervous too since i've been off and in therapy all summer (i'm a teacher). i'm sure it will go well for us!

[Mollywisk]

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

i'm starting work again on tuesday as well. i'm nervous too since i've been off and in therapy all summer (i'm a teacher). i'm sure it will go well for us!

My pdoc said the routine and being busy will help. It's just the stress that concerns me! Here's hoping we both have a stellar first day back!

[pegasus]

Hello there,

Just remember that your first day back will feel stressful but once you have that out of the way it should get better. If you have been off work through illness your company should support you. Good luck.

[wildflowerchild25]

yes i think the routine will definitely help me. sitting around on my two days off from IOP was nerve-wracking!

[BipolaRNurse]

Originally Posted by pegasus

Hello there,

Just remember that your first day back will feel stressful but once you have that out of the way it should get better. If you have been off work through illness your company should support you. Good luck.

They don't always. I was terminated from my executive-level nursing job in May after I returned from medical leave for a nasty meltdown that nearly landed me in the hospital. It was around the time for our second re-inspection by the state, and the timing was unfortunate but I couldn't help it.

The stress of that position was killing me, so being let go was a blessing in disguise, but I'll never again make the mistake of believing the ADA will back me up if I run into similar trouble in the future. That company had figured out how to make an end run around the ADA and exploited it shamelessly.

In fact, a friend who stayed on and was in on the exit interview with the state inspectors told me that the corporate people basically threw me under the bus, saying something along the lines of "our nurse was mentally ill and couldn't handle the job, now see how well we're doing now that we've hired a new one".

[Mollywisk]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

They don't always. I was terminated from my executive-level nursing job in May after I returned from medical leave for a nasty meltdown that nearly landed me in the hospital. It was around the time for our second re-inspection by the state, and the timing was unfortunate but I couldn't help it.

The stress of that position was killing me, so being let go was a blessing in disguise, but I'll never again make the mistake of believing the ADA will back me up if I run into similar trouble in the future. That company had figured out how to make an end run around the ADA and exploited it shamelessly.

In fact, a friend who stayed on and was in on the exit interview with the state inspectors told me that the corporate people basically threw me under the bus, saying something along the lines of "our nurse was mentally ill and couldn't handle the job, now see how well we're doing now that we've hired a new one".

^^. This is common in healthcare. My friends and family are skeptical when I tell them, but I've seen it over and over. They figure out another way to get rid of someone. Hence, my concern about my job.

[Skittles56]

I'm sure your therapist told you this already, but the best thing to do with stress is to drop it on the floor. Stress is a reaction to something that triggers your "fight or flight" instinct. Obviously you can't get into a fight over it, so that leaves flight. I don't mean running out the door and down the street. I mean walk away from what is stressing you. Go somewhere quiet until you get your **** together. If you can't do that, step back from what is stressing you, count to ten, take deep breaths. Think about your happy place. Whatever works for you. Do what you need to do to keep your mind from running you down the halls of anxiety and panic.

[Mollywisk]

Originally Posted by Skittles56

I'm sure your therapist told you this already, but the best thing to do with stress is to drop it on the floor. Stress is a reaction to something that triggers your "fight or flight" instinct. Obviously you can't get into a fight over it, so that leaves flight. I don't mean running out the door and down the street. I mean walk away from what is stressing you. Go somewhere quiet until you get your **** together. If you can't do that, step back from what is stressing you, count to ten, take deep breaths. Think about your happy place. Whatever works for you. Do what you need to do to keep your mind from running you down the halls of anxiety and panic.

Thanks for the good advice. I tend to isolate and procrastinate when stressed which makes things even worse.

[Mollywisk]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

They don't always. I was terminated from my executive-level nursing job in May after I returned from medical leave for a nasty meltdown that nearly landed me in the hospital. It was around the time for our second re-inspection by the state, and the timing was unfortunate but I couldn't help it.

The stress of that position was killing me, so being let go was a blessing in disguise, but I'll never again make the mistake of believing the ADA will back me up if I run into similar trouble in the future. That company had figured out how to make an end run around the ADA and exploited it shamelessly.

In fact, a friend who stayed on and was in on the exit interview with the state inspectors told me that the corporate people basically threw me under the bus, saying something along the lines of "our nurse was mentally ill and couldn't handle the job, now see how well we're doing now that we've hired a new one".

Third day back. It's been horrible and it's obvious that my boss wants me to quit. I'm trying to handle it and apply for other jobs but I'm scared that I will end up a mess. My husband says I was off for 4 weeks, much better and within 2 days he's watched me collapse back to baseline.

Im sorry to hear it has been horrible Hugs and I hope you can find another job.

[Mollywisk]

Thank you. So sad that I worked for decades to. Move up and now I'm nothing

It is sad that you worked so hard for so many years. What a downer to have to move on. Can you see this as a new opportunity? Now you are free from that job and could do anything you like! How exciting! Perhaps the perfect job is out there waiting for you. We never know what the future will bring. It must be super tough at the moment but I hope that this brings new opportunities for you in your life. *hugs*

[BipolaRNurse]

Originally Posted by Mollywisk

Third day back. It's been horrible and it's obvious that my boss wants me to quit. I'm trying to handle it and apply for other jobs but I'm scared that I will end up a mess. My husband says I was off for 4 weeks, much better and within 2 days he's watched me collapse back to baseline.

Yup, sounds familiar. It took me 2 HOURS to fall apart when I went back to work after my medical leave; that's how they got around the ADA in getting rid of me. I couldn't do the job without reasonable accommodations to reduce my stress levels; they decided they "couldn't" accommodate me; and that was the end of it.

I promise you that when this job ends---whether you quit or they let you go---it will be an enormous relief. It's scary, yes, but as someone else said, you'll be free to find your bliss. You never know what you'll do next---I was lucky enough to land in a former workplace where I know everybody, they know me (including the bipolar part) and the management knows how to work with me when I'm symptomatic. It's not my dream job---I lost that one to my illness---but it puts food on the table and allows me to work within my limitations.

Take a look around.....the very next job may be your best ever! Hugs!

[Mollywisk]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

Yup, sounds familiar. It took me 2 HOURS to fall apart when I went back to work after my medical leave; that's how they got around the ADA in getting rid of me. I couldn't do the job without reasonable accommodations to reduce my stress levels; they decided they "couldn't" accommodate me; and that was the end of it.

I promise you that when this job ends---whether you quit or they let you go---it will be an enormous relief. It's scary, yes, but as someone else said, you'll be free to find your bliss. You never know what you'll do next---I was lucky enough to land in a former workplace where I know everybody, they know me (including the bipolar part) and the management knows how to work with me when I'm symptomatic. It's not my dream job---I lost that one to my illness---but it puts food on the table and allows me to work within my limitations.

Take a look around.....the very next job may be your best ever! Hugs!

Thank you. I'm very scared. Feel worthless and stupid.