RANT - Lack of support as disabled Nurse, leaving the NHS
So, I qualified as a nurse in September 2023. I started my first post on 9th October 2023, but was sadly diagnosed with CTEPH on the 16th October 2023. Since the diagnosis, I have continued to work. There are times when I have had to take sick leave, especially in the winter months as I am prone to chest infections and pneumonia. I moved into a new post June last year, a Band 6 physical health nurse. I have however found the service poorly run, with very little support. I am now physically burnt out, made worse by my CTEPH. In March I went off sick due to physical burnout. I asked my manager for a meeting to request reasonable adjustments as my CTEPH is considered a disability (confirmed by occ health) under the equality act 2010. My manager out right refused reduced hours or anything I proposed. She is instead offered to allow me to make Wednesday afternoons 'non physical', or suggested I accept re-deployment. At the time, re-deployment was not an option, due to the recruitment freeze and the fact I would only have 4 weeks to accept a job, which may be even worse for my physical health. I agreed to take Wednesday afternoon as non physical and returned to work. However, every Wed afternoon I would be constantly asked to see patients ad hoc or interrupted to do other tasks (all of which were physical). It just was not working out for me. I tried my best to persevere. I applied for a PIP assessor role as they can offer me hybrid. I was successful and gave my notice in. However, in week since I gave my notice my manager has been completely unsupportive, she kept adding tasks for me to do, knowing I was already struggling. I had enough and got a sick note from my GP who wished me luck in my new role. When I submitted this to the trust, my manager emailed me twice and texted me three time yesterday trying to get me to agree to PILON. Now my husband is unable to work, so he gets UC. They wanted me to take a lump sum, affecting this but also owe more holidays. I didn't agree to this but I went in to drop off my stuff today and got the cold shoulder. My colleagues, who see how poorly the place is managed, all wished me the best. I just feel like the NHS just do not care about their staff. Working keeps my mental health good, I don't want to have no purpose but if they had reduced my hours by one day they would not be scrambling for cover now! I just feel so guilty, even though I know I tried my best.