Mental health nursing and mental illness

I have been a Registered Nurse for 4 years and a Sister for the last 6 months and about to start a brand new job and I have just had my OH clearance to start my new job. I haven't been sectioned, but I have been in hospital and been under the CMHT since I was 15 (I am 25 now. I have a diagnosis of Bipolar Affective Disorder. I have never had any problems with OH or getting jobs. I also have a physical illness (which is also very stigmatised) and again I've never had problems getting clearance because of that. I just tend to have to see OH prior to job appointment. At my last OH check for clearance (Wednesday) the doctor just needed to be sure that I had good insight into my mania's and that I knew when it was time to get signed off work so she questioned me about it but at the end of the appt she said I was very self aware and well controlled. It really isn't a big deal just as long as you are stable now and your illness is well controlled.

Reply 2

OP

Yes, normally my epilepsy is more of a problem, but now that it's good it's fine although people have the assumption is always grand mal.

I dunno why but articles seem to have a real stigma attached which is why I think I'm so worried. Even though I'm okay. Already had so much crap from senior mh nurses/ charge nurses.

Do you still see Cmht while working?

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Reply 3

Original post by Swagio

Yes, normally my epilepsy is more of a problem, but now that it's good it's fine although people have the assumption is always grand mal.

I dunno why but articles seem to have a real stigma attached which is why I think I'm so worried. Even though I'm okay. Already had so much crap from senior mh nurses/ charge nurses.

Do you still see Cmht while working?

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I really wouldn't worry about OH. They treat mental illness as they would a physical illness. When I first started my job I didn't disclose my MH problems to my boss or my colleagues (I did obviously disclose to OH). They don't have to know if you don't want them to and OH doesn't disclose it to them either.

Yes, I am still under the CMHT and see my psychiatrist regularly :smile:

Reply 4

OP

Oh right I was thinking about trying to stop seeing them as a senior nurse at my local one said people with mh problems/ illness who see cmht shouldn't be nurses because of Beverly Allit.
Which I know is a load of crap and makes no sense at all, but I thought that meant you couldn't get support from them when doing the nursing. Although seen as they said that and think nurses should have been out of cmht for 2 years before applying I doubt I'll get a referral anyway!

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Reply 5

Original post by Swagio

Oh right I was thinking about trying to stop seeing them as a senior nurse at my local one said people with mh problems/ illness who see cmht shouldn't be nurses because of Beverly Allit.
Which I know is a load of crap and makes no sense at all, but I thought that meant you couldn't get support from them when doing the nursing. Although seen as they said that and think nurses should have been out of cmht for 2 years before applying I doubt I'll get a referral anyway!

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All I can say is that if she is a senior nurse within mental health or just the nursing profession in general then she really shouldn't be a senior nurse coming out with comments like that as it is very discriminatory! I ended up having a psychotic episode in January 2014 and when I realised I wasn't well I immediately got signed off work. My boss had no idea of my issues at the time because I was always worried about how she would react (she wasn't the most sympathetic of people lol). But actually, she was fine and very supportive. She made sure that if I had an appt that I was able to swap my shifts or book bank staff to cover my shift and then later whilst I underwent intensive therapy she always rostered my shifts around my appointments. So I never really needed to go back to OH for adjustments and exceptions because my boss just did it for me. I know that not all managers are like that (my new boss who recently took over isn't) but that's when you do have OH to fall back on.

Most MH illnesses are chronic and whilst mine is well controlled at the moment I still need support from my psychiatrist. It's no different than having diabetes and needing to see the diabetes specialists, or cardiologists for a heart problem. I just need support for my mind from time to time; that's the way I see it anyway :smile:

Obviously if you are in crisis then you shouldn't work, but most people are sensible enough to get signed off before it gets to that point.

Reply 6

Lizzipth_Floyd

7

I have previously been on a section 3 (a few years ago) and would like to apply for Mental Health Nursing next year. This is something I, too, have been worrying about. Whether you have to declare it on OH or whether they would be able to find out regardless.

Reply 7

OP

Original post by Lizzipth_Floyd

I have previously been on a section 3 (a few years ago) and would like to apply for Mental Health Nursing next year. This is something I, too, have been worrying about. Whether you have to declare it on OH or whether they would be able to find out regardless.

I always declare my mh although axa only question you if you tick depression or anxiety like what if you have another type??? Strange huh.
But I knew they'd most likely be told so better to be honest tbh. But cus the role wasn't so specialist and less responsibility I guess I didn't worry so much.

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Reply 8

OP

Original post by ButterflyRN

All I can say is that if she is a senior nurse within mental health or just the nursing profession in general then she really shouldn't be a senior nurse coming out with comments like that as it is very discriminatory! I ended up having a psychotic episode in January 2014 and when I realised I wasn't well I immediately got signed off work. My boss had no idea of my issues at the time because I was always worried about how she would react (she wasn't the most sympathetic of people lol). But actually, she was fine and very supportive. She made sure that if I had an appt that I was able to swap my shifts or book bank staff to cover my shift and then later whilst I underwent intensive therapy she always rostered my shifts around my appointments. So I never really needed to go back to OH for adjustments and exceptions because my boss just did it for me. I know that not all managers are like that (my new boss who recently took over isn't) but that's when you do have OH to fall back on.

Most MH illnesses are chronic and whilst mine is well controlled at the moment I still need support from my psychiatrist. It's no different than having diabetes and needing to see the diabetes specialists, or cardiologists for a heart problem. I just need support for my mind from time to time; that's the way I see it anyway :smile:

Obviously if you are in crisis then you shouldn't work, but most people are sensible enough to get signed off before it gets to that point.

Tbh I think here it's quite bad, remember being told by someone if I did mh nursing degree I'd probably never be able to practice at home unless the management change cus they don't like that people 'like me' are allowed to do it *sigh*.

I was planning on trying to ditch mh cus how many of them say I shouldn't see them whilst working but I do find it strange cus honestly no one would say oh don't see your neurologist for epilepsy because you're a nurse.
Tbh I'm not perfect- who is. But they do make you feel like it's a necessity of the job.

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Reply 9