Would you take a pay cut to enable job satisfaction?

[cupcakesmakeyouhappy]

I have been offered a job in a nursery (basic pay), meaning leaving the NHS (slightly more money with potential increase as I'm at uni half way through a mental health nursing degree). Currently, shocked by the demands, staff and feeling challenged, drained, tired, and now losing compassion, losing focus. Not enjoying!
I have written pro's and con's and con's to stay are long. Con's for the nursery is salary.
I just want routine, structure and a happy working life.

[zippydoodaar]

How old are you?
How far are you through your course?
Do you want some sort of career progression?
Do you want the potential to earn more going forward?

I think the nursery job would be okay as a stop gap or you really aren't bothered about having any sort of career but is that what you really want long term?

[cupcakesmakeyouhappy]

I am 40! I do not wish to progress through the band's in nursing. It's nothing like I expected. I pushed myself to do something worthwhile when my exh left.
I do like change as in different every day. Nursing has so many responsibilities that I do not want or need. It's tough out there.
I just worry about when my dc's are grown and I do not receive tax credits and maintenance.

[GreatStar]

Do what makes you happy or at least content x

[RJnomore1]

I should finish the degree first. It's only another year or two and it opens up allsort of doors that don't need to be nursing.

I'm sorry you are hating it though.

[Bonelessbanquet]

You could finish and then apply for a job in bed management? They have qualified staff on each shift with an admin to risk assess/prioritise empty beds etc

[insancerre]

I've just done this
I'm a nursery as well
I've been manager and now I'm taking a pay cut to move back to being hands on with the children
I've missed it so much and I'm really looking forward to having less responsibility
Budgets, rotas, spreadsheets and reports just stress me out
I went proper job satisfaction again

[Allthecake]

I did a degree to qualify me for a particular stressful job and decided to give that up for my current job which pays less but I enjoy much more. I figure I’ll spend a large percentage of my life at work so if I can possibly find a job I actually enjoy, it’s worth earning a little less.

[OlafLovesAnna]

I left a band 5 clinical post for a band 4 clinical training job. Hours are easy and it's great fun.

I would say though that if I were you I would finish the training and qualify then give yourself 6 months to see if you like it. If it's not for you then you can sideways move into a lot of other posts or go back to the nursery jobs.

[cupcakesmakeyouhappy]

Thankyou everyone :)
I have the opportunity to take 6 months off.
I have decided to do that.

[Ploppie4]

Could you swap to children’s nursing? I would really struggle with mental health nursing particularly

[cupcakesmakeyouhappy]

I can't swap now. I couldn't nurse poorly children, it would be heart breaking. Mental health can be heart breaking too but it's so heavy! It's just not good for me!

[Ploppie4]

Is it worth having a break, finishing your mental health qualification and then doing a social work post grad?

[Ploppie4]

Alternatively complete your mental health degree and do a years teacher training course to teach little primary aged kids

Saying that I took a pay cut for job happiness.

[ScarletSienna]

I have taken a pay cut for happiness. I am so glad I did. I left leadership in a primary school for a job with less pay and fewer options to work at a higher level. It was the right choice for not just me but our whole family. I too only had the pay cut on the cons list.

[dementedma]

I am 53. Have just gone from a salary of £38k to one of £31,500 to get out of the job I was in. Cant really afford to do it but worth it for getting my mental health back

[thefutureisours]

I'm considering either a 50% pay cut or a part time job to reduce stress. I hate my job and have a currently undiagnosed but very probably autistic toddler who i'd rather be spending time with. Life is too short!

[GoodyGoodyGumdrops]

Returning to work once all the dc were at school, I took a huge pay cut to work in a completely different field, a fraction of the hours, and excellent family-friendly environment.

I am so happy there. My work-life balance is vastly improved, and i genuinely love the work I do.

Of course, I realise that this is a luxury for me. I would not be bringing in enough to live on if it was the only job in the household. Because mine is the second job in our household, it pays for the luxuries.

For some of my colleagues working on similar contracts, their job plus their dp's job adds up to enough (rather than enough + luxuries). Nonetheless, they all agree that the work-life balance makes it worth while.

[cupcakesmakeyouhappy]

Thanks everyone :)
I do not enjoy the social aspect of the job either. I don't want to sound judgmental or offend but it's a thankless job. I feel that supporting others with their mental health is having an impact on my own. I don't like who I have become. I went into this with a passion of empowering people but have learnt I can empower people in any line of work.
Also, my dc's need me mentally strong and right now, in this position I am not.

[ScarletSienna]

Cupcakes-that was very much how I felt. Good luck!

[cupcakesmakeyouhappy]

Thankyou so much! Just come from uni and the decision has been made. I feel a sense of excitement which I haven't felt in a while :)

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

When you finish your degree, how about coming out of the NHS?

Maybe take a nursing job at a residential/nursing home - somewhere offering EMI will fit with your mental health experience. I think you’d find that quite a bit less demanding - but well paid!

[cupcakesmakeyouhappy]

Thanks, not even sure I want to complete it. Taking 6 months out will help me with that decision.