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High pressure job-extremely burnt out

NAS69638

I work as a nurse on a very busy ward. I'm relatively newly qualified, having only been in the job for 5 months. I've already had burnout related sick leave back in November but managed to get back on track. I've now been signed off for a couple of weeks but think this may take longer to overcome. I may need a whole month. I'm mentally and physically spent, sleep has been terrible, have been alternating between shutdowns and meltdowns and executive function has gone out the window. On top of this, my relationship is very much on the rocks and probably will be ending soon. 

I'm seriously considering handing in my notice and leaving the profession altogether. My employer is not aware of my diagnosis because I'm worried about the stigma etc. I can't see what accommodations they can pit in place anyway.

I spoke to my manager and I tried to explain to her as much as I could about how I'm feeling. I have messed up a bit because i had a couple of days off and then said i would be in the next day but then i didn't come in because i still felt unwell. I had had no sleep and also didn't give them the 2 hours notice they ask for when I called. It was my executive function issues.. She said that she's worried that I'm losing credibility with the rest of the team and I get what she'ssaying but it'smade me feelworse about goingback in. I already feel like the odd one out (story of my life) . 

I feel like I've picked the wrong career but I don't what other job I could do

  • in reply to Deleted User

    I paid the price for not declaring my disability, nineteen years ago. 

    Though, to be honest, the job I had felt like a prison. 

  • I agree with Martin above - I think it would be wise to tell your employer about your autism.  Often, the hardest thing is asking for help and understanding.....even if you don't get any, I reckon you will feel better for being open and honest with yourself and your colleagues.  Don't run away from your job just yet....see if they are able or willing to help and support you.

    It is perfectly foreseeable that your challenges will SUBSTANTIALLY diminish as soon as you feel able to share them with your "work tribe.". People can be amazing - even NT's sometimes!

  • I don't have much to say that Martin and Ann didn't already say, but I will add that you say you're on a busy ward - is it possible to transfer to a less busy ward, either immediately or as a long-term goal?

  • Hi! I’m so sorry you are struggling with burnout- I can relate to this as I am extremely burnt out at the moment and I have had burnout before. Please be kind to yourself and try to give yourself enough time to recover- i know there are many practical considerations that can limit amount of time you might be able to take, plus I think it’s easy  at least for me to be tempted to go back before ready (I tend to feel so guilty and useless and frustrated at not being able to do more...). I’ve pushed through burnout  so many times but this is so damaging and I am reaching a point where my physical and mental health have suffered so much that i can’t really cope. 


    I don’t think you necessarily need to let go of being a nurse because of this- like Martin has pointed out your employer is obliged to make adjustments so there are still plenty of options for you to explore that could make it work! Do you like the job? 

    I hope your worries about future and how to move forward etc are not holding you back too much from resting- it can be very hard to let go when all of those things are on your mind. It can really help to try and give yourself a period of time (within reason of what is practical) to just not think of any of that. 

    i really hope you can get the rest you need- are there any activities that help you relax while recovering?  

  • I think that you should inform your employer of your diagnosis, they should treat it as confidential. Once you have done this you come under the protection of relevant disability legislation. Your employers are legally obliged to make 'reasonable accommodations', so that you are not discriminated by your autism relative to your work colleagues. You may not be able to think of any accommodations, but they might, or you could possibly come up with some in discussion with them. If you are thinking of quitting, you really have nothing to lose. Also you do not need to declare your autism in any future employment, or when applying or being interviewed for a job.