I Have Resigned as a Mental Health Nurse in the NHS
I have officially resigned as a mental health nurse in the NHS (working as a specialist ADHD nurse), after four years of working with the most wonderful team.
It breaks my heart to even be writing this post, but I have been off sick since January and I was off sick for a period last year too, because OCD tipped into psychosis which triggered an eating disorder and basically OCD has consumed my entire life.
I’ve been in hospital for about three or four months this year. I’ve been sectioned three times this year and once last year, and the right decision for me right now is to resign from the NHS.
I have worked for the NHS since I was 16, so almost a decade, and I loved my job. I really, really loved my job.
It’s strange that something that I know is right, because I know it’s right to resign…it’s strange how sad I am and how many different emotions that can evoke. I’ve never been good with goodbyes or endings or change.
I feel like I have failed as a mental health nurse because I’ve been unwell but I keep telling myself that it’s not my fault that I became unwell and I need time to recover. I need time to focus on myself and unfortunately working in the NHS right now, for me, just isn’t the right decision.
I have some exciting things coming up. I’m going to be a mentor at a university for students with autism and mental health difficulties. I have completed my ADHD coaching training with Leanne Maskell from ADHD Works so I’m a certified ADHD Coach, and am currently completing my Advanced AuDHD Coach training (if you’re interested in coaching, get in touch here). I also have some exciting writing projects in the pipeline.
For now, I am no longer a mental health nurse in the NHS. I am Emily, recovering from mental illness and I really hope that one-day mental illness won’t feel like so much of my identity as it does at the moment. I hope that I’ll be able to move forwards but I know that the only way I’m going to be able to do that is by taking the time to recover properly and that involves leaving my job right now. It’s so painful but I know it’s the right decision.
I am a big believer in the quote that ‘you can’t heal in the same environment that made you sick’ and that has been a factor in my decision-making.
This is just another chapter of my life that I’m moving into. As one chapter closes, another one opens, and just because it’s different doesn’t mean it will be bad or worse. It just is what it is.
Watch my Instagram reel here.
If you’re interested in ADHD or AuDHD coaching, you can complete this form here and I will get in touch when my business is up and running.
If you’re interested in booking me for talks about autism, ADHD and mental health, you can find out more info here and get in touch here. I have spoken to businesses, schools, NHS organisations and many workplaces about embracing difference, workplace adjustments, autism and ADHD in women and girls and all sorts.
Lots of love, Emily x
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