I think I'm really leaving nursing, at least for a while

[ParrotHeadRN]

I have come to the conclusion that at this time in my life, nursing is making me ill. I was recently hospitalized for intractable migraine and really have had headaches almost constantly for several months now. They always get worse either right before I go to work or when I'm at work. I've been getting these terrible feelings of impending doom while at work, always preceding a migraine. I get sweaty and hot and my heart races. And there isn't anything especially terrible happening at work as far as I can tell.

I am divorcing and my 12 year old son is having difficulty with it and is having behaviour issues. I am too tired and stressed from work to do much about it. It's almost easier to let his father deal w/ it, and I know that's not fair. My house is a mess and I haven't been doing anything about that either.

Honest to god, I have an interview Tuesday at Petsmart for a dog bather. If I "work out" I can be sent to dog grooming school, which is what I think I'd like to do. I can't even remember anymore why I became a nurse except that it seems to be what my family does.

I hope to get my good feelings about nursing back someday. I've only been nursing for 3 years and I thought I loved it, but my body is telling me otherwise.

Have any of you ever been here? Have any of you actually left nursing? It does seem ridiculous, the fact that I am walking away from really good money, but I don't know what else to do.

Thanks for listening.

[ParrotHeadRN]

Thanks for all your support. I'm still not sure what I should do. I have a dr appt wednesday and I think I'm going to stay off work until then. That will give me some time to think about what I need to do. I'm wondering if FML is available for mental health issues as well as physical ones. I think I'll check into that.

Thanks again for everyone's support. I am a little ashamed of myself that I can't handle things well right now, but you all have made me feel better.

[mattsmom81]

You've got a whole lot going on in your life now. I can't add any more to the excellent advice in all the posts other than to say I'm thinking of you and wish you the very best...hope you find the support you need and feel better very soon, and to give you a cyber ((HUG))

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

So sorry for the many stresses.......... hope you find your way to a more peaceful state. Wish you the very best on your journey. Be (((HUGGED)).

[Ross1]

Family medical leave is available for mental health as well as physical health symptoms. Same goes for disability benefits. It is my understanding that for FML, you only have to provide a doctor's note stating that you are unable to work....you do NOT have to provide the employer with any other specific information about your diagnosis. I would caution you to keep that private, especially a mental health diagnosis. You may also be eligible for short-term disability benefits if you don't have enough sick time to cover a possible leave of absence. Word of caution though......first determine who manages the disability benefit. When applying for short-term disability, you physician will not to provide confidential information regarding your diagnosis. I might be a little leary about this is the short-term disability benefit is administered by the internal HR department. What state are you in? If you are lucky enough to live in California, you most likely have a short-term disability benefit (as this is mandated by the state) and hopefully the employer participates in the CA State Disability Insurance program. If so, this benefit is administered by the State with total confidentiality.....and your employer is told nothing about your diagnosis other then the fact that you are approved for state disability benefits.

One word of caution though.....I am a student nurse and not all that familiar with all the laws regulating nursing. My experience with disability benefit comes from my extensive work experience as a medical social worker. Not sure as a nurse, your employer and/or state licensing board is entitled to some type of more extensive (meaning loss of confidentiality) report certifying that you are fit to resume employment.

[Saved_by_Grace]

Thanks for all your support. I'm still not sure what I should do. I have a dr appt wednesday and I think I'm going to stay off work until then. That will give me some time to think about what I need to do. I'm wondering if FML is available for mental health issues as well as physical ones. I think I'll check into that.

Thanks again for everyone's support. I am a little ashamed of myself that I can't handle things well right now, but you all have made me feel better.

You have nothing to be embarrassed about. I just hope that things get better for you soon. I wish you all the happiness in the world.:)

[MandyInMS]

You have nothing to be embarrassed about. I just hope that things get better for you soon. I wish you all the happiness in the world.:)

Ditto...nothing to be ashamed of hun..the stresses of this life get to us all in different ways...best wishes (((hugzzzz)))