Talking #TeamCWPT blog

With Jo Short, Community Mental Health Nurse/Clozapine Clinic Nurse

At 7 years old, Jo Short knew she wanted to become a nurse. She remembers the nurses who looked after her when she had an eye operation, and how much of a difference their care made to the people around her. What she also knew at 7 years old was that she felt different from other people, but didn't know why.

Now over 20 years into her nursing career, an autism and ADHD (AuDHD) diagnosis in early 2025 helped a lot of Jo's experiences begin to make sense. She isn't different, she is neurodivergent.

Finding a place in the NHS

Jo joined the NHS in 1995, after replying to an advert in the paper for a nursing auxiliary, also known as a nursing assistant. She began working in an outpatient clinic, and whilst she loved supporting people, she struggled with being late and building relationships with her colleagues. This led her to experience low mood, anxiety and depression. A change came when she began working on a ward that had greater flexibility, and Jo knew she had found where she was supposed to be: "I was quirky, I did my job, and I loved it. I absolutely loved it, and it felt like home."

Studying nursing at university

That experience reaffirmed Jo's commitment that the NHS and nursing were for her, and following an Open University course, Jo went to Coventry University to train as a mental health nurse.

At the time, it felt like a bit of an impulsive decision, and Jo recognises this was likely influenced by her ADHD.  " What I didn't realise then that I do now, is that the ADHD side of me says 'I've got this.' It was throwing caution to the wind. I had no money, I was living in a nurses' home, and I'd just applied to do my nurse training."

Leaving home and living in nursing quarters was a big change, and change didn't come easy for Jo. At various points throughout her life change has been accompanied by feelings of anxiety and fear, something she now recognises as a part of her neurodivergence. The demands of the course were also difficult: "I was having to make deadlines, and I was leaving everything to last minute. The questions would come out, and I would have to ask my colleagues to break it down for me. I would be seeking support from my peers just so I could put pen to paper."

From student to qualified nurse 

Despite all the challenges, Jo was proud to qualify as a mental health nurse in 2003 and began her first role working at CWPT. She was eager to get stuck in but another period of change, adapting from student to nurse, led to Jo feeling overwhelmed. Without a diagnosis at the time, Jo didn't know that a lot of what she was feeling was stemming from being autistic and having ADHD, and a breakdown followed.

This was a difficult period in Jo's life, as she couldn't understand why she struggled with things that came easier to the people around her. She also felt a lack of support and understanding from those around her at the time.

When she returned, she says it was a case of putting one foot in front of the other, and this approach would serve Jo well throughout her career and as she moved from inpatient to community mental health services.

Adapting for autism and ADHD

After a second period of sickness, Jo told her manager she was being assessed for autism and ADHD.

Things changed, and her manager helped her to strip things right back. Jo's caseload was reduced, she filled in a health passport and was advised to speak up if she was feeling overwhelmed.

From then on, it felt like the right support was in place, and that flexibility and having a supportive team has helped Jo to thrive.

Recently, Jo started working in the newly formed Clozaril clinic at St Michael's Hospital. She says: "It's overwhelming because of the change, but the pace is different, and I've got such an amazing team behind me. There have been times when I have felt like I am not good enough, but they tell me that I am. I wouldn't have got this far without them behind me."

Looking forward with AuDHD

Reflecting on how she feels now, Jo says: "I've got so much support around me, and I am so grateful. I have joined the neurodivergent network, and it helps to make work life better and helps people to understand what we're going through. We're not all the same, we're all individual, all equal. We all have different components."

For Jo, diagnosis came with a mixture of emotions. It brought feelings of grief, anger and sadness. But then came acceptance. "I am still learning to accept that I am not broken, it's just that I have been misunderstood."

Jo always knew that nursing was her vocation and is proud that whatever has happened, she has never given up. "Every time I've gone down, I've gotten back up, and if you can't get up, there's always a hand to help you get there."

Outside of work Jo has taken steps to process what it means to have lived with undiagnosed ADHD and autism for so long, and to know how to manage it going forward. She has started therapy, meditates, and knows when to speak up and seek support at work. 

"I've spent a lot of time looking back at where I have been and staying there, but now it's about looking back and recognising where I've been and how far I've come, even if it's taken me some time to get here."

Advice for neurodivergent staff

When asked what advice she would give to other staff who are neurodivergent, Jo says:

You're not alone. Don't give up. Don't ever stop seeking support or asking questions. We've got an amazing support network in the Trust now, and if anybody needs advice go seek peer support.  

 

With thanks to Jo Short for sharing her story this ADHD Awareness Month.

If you're a staff member looking for support, the neurodivergent and allies network is open to anyone working or volunteering at CWPT who is neurodivergent (self-identifying or diagnosed). It is also open to people who want to show their support and increase understanding.

Explore all of our staff networks and staff wellbeing support.