FMLA

I think you can get it if you qualify and if you can find a doctor willing to say you can't work. I did. Of course, I had to get so mentally ill that I could hardly take care of myself and spent 8 weeks in a psych hospital. You might not want to go that route.

Seriously, have you talked with your doctor? Do the two of you agree that your mental health is such that a leave of absence is in order? If so, go for it.

Here it is straight from the horse's mouth: http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs28.pdf

I have worked with nurses who have left on FMLA, after sustaining mental breakdowns, but that was very serious...

I did with my pre-nursing job in telephone customer service. In fact, I did it twice in 6 years. I wasn't alone, several co-workers also did it, and the company paid for the time off after the first 2 weeks.

Basically it was a time to get adjusted to new medications. I soon figured out though, if you need medication just to go to a job (and not in any other aspect of your life), it's probably time to get a new job. That's what led me to nursing school with the promise of several job opportunities and change.

Well, with the economy that's not so much the case, but I hoping by the time I get burned out on my unit I can move to a different one, and with my hospital, to another environment entirely.

I think you have to have a medical diagnosis and be under the supervision of your health care provider, plus, he should certify it and fill out the proper documents.

I did with my pre-nursing job in telephone customer service. In fact, I did it twice in 6 years. I wasn't alone, several co-workers also did it...

Isn't that the truth! Phone customer service for an electric company was the most emotionally draining, nerve-wracking job I've ever had. Daily death threats and an impossibly high turnover rate - yech! Best experience ever for preparing me for nursing

You may want to clarify FMLA versus Worker's Compensation. FMLA is unpaid time off. WC is paid. WC is a benefit associated with work-related/induced illness. FMLA can be for yourself or to care for family member. WC is only for the wage earner.