To ask if any of you quit nursing and what you do now?

[Tiptoethr0ughthetulips]

Just that really. Have been a nurse for 13 years, worked in various specialities from ITU to primary care. I can't face another 35 years. If you are an ex nurse what do you do now? How does it compare financially? Did you go back to Uni?

Anyone quit and regret it? Do return to nursing etc?

[pipsqueak25]

was working in terminal nursing prior to having dc, but never went back to work and am a sahm 23 years later

[crazycadetmum]

It's nearly 30 years since I started my nurse training..this revaladation stuff puts me off bothering to renew my registration so I'm watching this thread with intrest!

[user1483474832]

Yes I quit. The pay was too low and I just felt like a second class citizen compared to Doctors.

Now I'm the service lead for a large council. I started off as a social worker

[Tiptoethr0ughthetulips]

Unfortunately I can't afford to be a sahm and need to work part-time. What worries me is although I don't feel we as nurses are paid our worth, I don't have any skills outside nursing that would pay me half of what I earn now.

I feel trapped. I feel disappointed in myself for wanting out.

[Headinthedraw]

I didn't reregister when I had DD1 and 10 years down the line haven't really found anything else.Worked in a school as a first aider-great hours,less stress,more fun but terrible pay.No childcare though so not that bad.I'm considering doing RTN next year but can't face the shifts and nursing friends think I'm mad to go back.Looking for a total change.

[Headinthedraw]

However also aware all I have ever done is nurse in one form or another-not sure I could do anything too far removed from it.

[dalmatianmad]

I've only been qualified for 8 years but was a HCA for 12 years before that, so 20 years in total.....
I cannot imagine doing this until I retire (got 25 years left). I love my job but it's so stressful, the shifts are long and knackering and pay isn't brilliant compared to my non nursing friends

I know a few people that have left nursing and gone into different roles, from retail to admin. I feel like I've worked my arse off to qualify and work my way up (band 7) but no idea what I would do

[x2boys]

i,m a carer for my disabled son money wise not much differance really which is both surprisng and shit really, as my dh works but in a low paid job we get tax creditds some housing benefit Dla for son a carers allowance etc if i went back to work it wouldnt be nursing i was offered little support with my caring responsibilities.

[CockacidalManiac]

Did 25 years. Now a student again.
Nursing for too long made me mentally unwell. Too much death and suffering.

[Tiptoethr0ughthetulips]

Headinthedraw perhaps RTN with a view to school nursing? I was considering HV but that's not a goer in the current climate.
I'm supposed to be starting an Msc and my heart is just not in it.
Praying for lotto win...might even take up bingo

[Pippa12]

I'm due back this month after maternity and I can feel the tightness in my chest now. I really haven't missed the long shifts, missed breaks, a work load bigger than everest and the guilt when I've not got it all done. Like most tho, nursed for 13 years, never done anything else and all qualifications are nursing based. Good on you for trying to get out, I don't think it's going to get any better, shame because I love the job on a great day but they are few and far between! Good luck!

[JsOtherHalf]

I know a couple of nurses who moved into continuing care assessment? Office hours seem to be the norm.

Eg
filesdown.esecure.co.uk/northlancspct/csu_role_specification_-nurse_assessor_rgn-_band_6.pdf

[dingdongdigeridoo]

A friend of mine has a long term medical condition so couldn't cope with nursing, so she now works on 111 as a nurse advisor. It's still tough, but it's a desk job so there's not the physical aspect.

[queencerulean]

I left 6 years ago after dc3 as I just felt I couldn't juggle it all. I felt a crap nurse and a crap mum. Now I work in health research for similar pay but not all the crap of the NHS.

[Tiptoethr0ughthetulips]

Pippa12 I've been where you are it's an awful feeling, but you'll be fine. It all comes back in handover.

I most likely won't ever leave, I'm just feeling fed up, it might pass.

[CockacidalManiac]

queencerulean
Could I ask how you got into that?

[Iamthenavigator]

I was a mental health nurse, i took time out to be a SAHM and let registration lapse. I am now back at uni retraining in social work and plan to return to working in mental health when qualified just different hat on

[Tiptoethr0ughthetulips]

Continuing care isn't for me, I've looked into it. I heard horror stories of working for 111 but I do have triage experience so it's always something to think about.

queen how did you get into research and is it for a pharmaceutical company?

[CockacidalManiac]

I worked for NHS Direct before they disposed of most of the clinical staff and renamed it 111. Wild horses wouldn't drag me back now.

[MrsPatrickDempsey]

I burnt out after 17 years of midwifery. I have been a HV for nearly 4 years. Work life balance is better but it is stressful and the role is so broad I had a v steep learning curve. Like you say, I am not sure what the future holds at present.

[alezas]

I'm in the same boat and have no clue what to do

[JustWantToBeDorisAgain]

I left to have children, tried working in the local council once they were school age but it was mostly temp contracts and not great pay. Did a rtp 2 years ago and started in the community. Absolutely love it no nights shifts 8.30 - 4.30 with occasional lates and 1 Sunday shift every 4 weeks ( part-time / jobshare 22.5 hours so my jobshare does the sat)

Lovely supportive manager and team, don't regret my decision for a minute.

[lougle]

I left for 8 years. Had absolutely no intention of going back. I did my Return to Practice in 2015 and have been in ITU for a year now.

[icy121]

I know a nurse who quit to have kids and then became a childminder.

[Tiptoethr0ughthetulips]

Unfortunately Doris that's not reflective of community nursing where I am. Did 5 years and within that time the job became unrecognisable. Integration + low staffing + switch to 4 shifts 7am - 10pm finished me off.