Decision time

[Troubleshootingforever]

Is it ever ok to throw caution to the wind and do something youve no idea will work out? I have a very stressful job, and I have been feeling quite burnt out over the last two years. I have a job offer on the table but I can't actually make the leap and keep chopping and changing my mind. Current job is within the nhs. Good opportunity for additional training courses etc. Base is close to home. I'm very familiar with the job, legislation procedures etc. There is Lots of driving involved and responding to client crises. Can be emotionally harrowing at times. I find all the driving exhausting. The hours are 9-5 however working over this is the norm so may not finish until 6.30, 7pm three evenings per week, can be unpredictable. Manager nice but dim and therefore not good at providing advice or guidance. Team is in crisis with a lot of sick leave and turnover of new staff etc. Cuts to services make the job difficult. Being so familiar with the job can mean I find it actually boring even though it's so busy and stressful. New job - This is a well known large national private company and employees are entitled to discounts and free products. Same benefits as nhs such as paid sick leave and pension. Role is completely different to my current job, not dealing with crisis but rather target driven with regular appraisals so I'm sure that will have it's own stresses. No idea of the team or manager set up. Base is 25 miles away but next door to a train station. £3000 less per annum I'm worried I'm being foolish to walk away from a secure job to take a chance on a lesser paid job. But then again I feel I have lost my soul due to my current job. But do I want to walk away from my career and all my training for something completely different? I'm also conscious that private companies can make redunacies and terminate much more ruthlessly than the nhs Anyone had similar experience either way please let me know how it panned out for you.

[flowery]

I'd take that leap in yours shoes. Current job sounds soul-destroying and you sound like you need a breath of fresh air breathed into your working life.

[SirNiallDementia]

I'd take the new job, it sounds like you could do with a change.

[daisychain01]

Never delay happiness. If the new role can give you sufficient income to live, and you think you will have fulfilment of some description in the new job, make the move.

[ChestnutsRoastingOnAnOpenFire]

Emotionally harrowing, exhausting, unpaid overtime, team in crisis, busy, stressful, inadequate manager, bored. These are all reasons to move on, no? If you leave the NHS and it doesn't work out, could you find another NHS job without too much bother? I would go.

[Troubleshootingforever]

Bless you all. You're all echoing my own thoughts and seem to get exactly where I'm coming from

[ChestnutsRoastingOnAnOpenFire]

Sometimes we hang in thinking things will improve. There doesn't seem to be much (anything) to hold on for in your service. I get that, I've 'hung on' as things have to change soon but I'm still waiting for those changes. Still waiting while half my team have left, new starters inexperienced and mean I'm having to do double the work and unpaid overtime, petrified of making a hideous error now we're inadequately staffed. And all the time the service and expectations grow and we're still being asked to make efficiencies. We're fools to ourselves.

[whichwaynow82]

I think your happiness is the most important thing if you know you can live off the money.

Do your maths regarding travel etc

[zippydoodaar]

My mantra is, 'What leaves you feeling bad, do less of. What leaves you feeling good, do more of.'

So, based on what you have said, you need to leave your current job.

Will the new job be better? Who knows? Very difficult to know unless you try it.

Look very carefully at the benefits. NHS holiday entitlement, employer pension contributions, training opportunities, opportunity for part-time and flexible working are much better than the majority of private sector companies. Very high workloads and 6.30pm/7.00pm finishes aren't unusual either so don't assume you will be able to skip out of the door at 5pm.

Have you always worked for the NHS? It's very different to private sector. You could be in for a shock (have gone the other way myself). Is there anything else you could within the NHS? That would be my starting point tbh...

[zippydoodaar]

Also, private companies ARE much more ruthless than the NHS. Break down of unions has fuelled this IMO.

[Karak]

Have you asked if they'll match your current salary? Not necessarily possible but you never know until you ask.