[Dontfeellikeme]

Hi there, I hope it's ok to post, as I'm struggling right now and literally have nobody to give me advice I can trust anymore. I'll try and explain everything although is long complicated mess.
I am a 27 year old female in the uk. I qualified as a mental health nurse in 2008, and since then things have gone so wrong. I have been working on a ward for patients with dementia and complex needs. I have had to have a few extended periods off with 'stress and anxiety' although there is a lot more to this than just that. I work hard and despite this several managers over the five year period have caused me emmense difficulty and seems that they are intent on breaking me. A big problem is a repetative cycle regarding my ability to work nightshifts. I have tried to do them as requested over and over but they have repeatedly caused problems as I can't sleep, my mood gets messed up and I have psychotic type symptoms. I am expected to attend a meeting tomorrow in which I will recieve three months notice of redundancy due to capability. When I don't work the nights my sickness leave is zero. When I do it goes bad one way or another. It's kind of like I get really agitated. I want to get stuff done but mess everything up. Sure I can go on like that for a while but then bam! Out of nowhere I get so low that everything is too much and I have to hivernate. I know this sounds a little extreme as work stress goes. I am trying really hard to find another job but everywhere is cutting services than expanding them. I go to interviews, and feedback always mentions the anxiety is an issue, even when the way I've handled it has been a huge achievement. My condition has been assessed by occupational health, and psychiatrist who both understand that the night working ability isn't going to change for now, but my employer feels that they are unable to facilitate this as a reasonabl adjustment under equality act. The four year repeating cycle is so predictable. I'll have a couple of months autumn when I'm really engaged and motivated and can cope with difficult situations and function socially but how do I make that the same for the rest of the year. I no longer have any friends and I know colleagues think I'm wierd. There right I am. I never meant to be a negative person but have been let down and unsupported by the organisation I work which I know excacerbates what ever it is that's wrong. Mind over matter approaches arnt working. I need another job as I need to get out of an inviting net that feels like a pressure cooker. Maybe the issues will disappere in a new environment. Sorry for this annoying rant. I guess it's just tearing my head up with the stress right now, the system has taken me eaten me up and now wants rid of me. I've work so hard to keep myself well in order to work and that can be hard as being with others is hard. I guess I hope that if I could work somewhere else. I guess I wondered how you guys think I need to do to improve the situation? And what happens if I'm let go due to capacity.
Thanks for taking the time to read this if you have. I'm really nervous about posting here as I find it hard to talk. I'm currently feeling a bit odd but guess that like super adrenaline. I smoke roll ups and don't drink or anything.
Appreciate any comments or advice guys. I feel alone and not anybody that gets it but every area of my life is dominated by this stress. Maybe a change is good as a rest., I am at breaking point, cat xxx

[Dontfeellikeme]

A months notice.

[tinyrabbit]

You need to speak to your union if you are in one, otherwise try ACAS. You really need some legal advice as I don't see how you can be made redundant due to capability, that's a contradiction. Positions are made redundant, not people. The OT etc were acting on the company's behalf - you need independent advice from someone who can assess the situation. They need to look at exactly how your employer handled things and what is and isn't in your contract. Please ring ACAS!

[Dontfeellikeme]

Hi. Thanks for reply. I have been supported by unison. I can't work nights because of a health reasons and I can't fulfil my job description as a result. I will look into acas thanks.

[tinyrabbit]

If you have a union why aren't they helping you?

[Wren_]

hi cat, I don't have anything to add as far as practical suggestions (glad tinyrabbit was able to help with some of those ) ... I am sorry to read you are going through all of this though; and very pleased you are posting here even though you found it hard to do so hopefully by sharing it will help make it less lonely. I hope you take the suggestion to call ACAS and can speak to them before your meeting

[Dontfeellikeme]

I think my union can't believe how unfair they are being.

[unaluna]

Are you unable to sleep when you are on night shift? Have you tried sleep medication? I think I would have been a different person during my career if I had ever been able to get to sleep and to work on time and not be crazy tired all the time. Good luck.

[spondiferous]

I saw in your other post that they gave you six weeks. Did your union come up with anything? I can't believe that they are going to get away with this.

[Perna]

If you cannot work nights and there are no all-day only shifts available due to budget constraints, I don't see that your job can help too much (or that you want to stay there since you feel it is so stressful/unsupportive).

Are there jobs, even part-time or temporary, where you could go into people's homes and support them during the day so family care-givers could go out and shop or have a bit of time for themselves? Sounds like something like that would be ideal for you.

[Dontfeellikeme]

I guess I'll just have to hope something comes up. To think I work for a mental health trust

[tinyrabbit]

Does your contract specifically say you have to be able to work nights,

[Dontfeellikeme]

It says rotational shift pattern. I am working everything else lates twilights earlies long days.