After a few months off on forced medical leave, worried about losing my job after any slip

[RNsteve]

3 years as a RN, with my first 2 years in long term care, with me starting into Acute in the last year.

I've been back to work for a few months, after being forced into medical leave for a few months. Initially this was until I had been medically assessed(assumed weeks) but came back showing moderately impaired memory/attention(moderate Depression, and un-dx ADHD) and what I expected was a short trip off work turned into a 3 months affair. Had hoped to work while going through this often-delayed process, but due to being in a probationary period there was nothing I/the union could do beyond work with my employers request.

Since my return, my probationary period had been restarted from day 1 and ive been monitored. To be expected, as though medically cleared/medicated I did/do have these Truefully it stresses me out as I feel like i'm just be expected to screw up and..Just got a email as a feedback from a occurrence report from early Decemeber with a med error.

Should I just assume i'm not cut out for this? I just expect that despite my good qualities(I work hard ,great patient rapport, work well with staff,etc) should I just take the hint and realize I cant cut acute care? I go to work feeling like all these past few months are just to justify me getting the boot.

I apologize for the rant everyone.

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

Acute care is not the end all to be all. Not everyone likes or is cut out for acute care, so what? You couldn't drag me back into a hospital unless I was a patient or visitor. Did acute care for 13+ yrs. No more. Ever...it's not a failure on your part and don't allow anyone to make you feel that way. I myself work in ltc and plan to never leave. You will find your place, have faith

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

It's OK not to be great at acute care nursing. I wasn't either, even though most of my patients loved me and I enjoyed using my skills. I found my love was geriatric nursing and worked in assisted living, skilled and long-term care facilities. Did some psych too, I ran a LTC young adult unit which housed patients with addiction and mental health diagnoses.

Very occasionally I miss the adrenaline rush of acute care, but I don't miss the workload or the politics. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. :)

[nutella, MSN, RN]

Whatever happened - it sounds that you are a liability for your employer. Perhaps acute care is not the setting for you , perhaps nursing is not the right job - I do not know. Since you had medical/mental problems it might be useful to talk to your medical provider as well as a mental health professional about their opinion. Your employer will only tolerate a certain amount of mistakes and they have documentation. Perhaps it would be a good idea to look around and see what other job possibilities there are. If the BON is monitoring you, you may have restrictions.