I already have a thread going asking if I should be a SAHM.. but the responses went a bit off track so a poster advised me to start another thread with a different angle.
Basically I'm a dental nurse. Tell me - would you do this job, or think it's fair?
I'm in my 30s, I've been qualified over 15 years. I had to do coursework and pass a quite stressful exam to pass.
I have to pay £125 a year out of my own pocket to be registered with the GDC and to be legally allowed to work.
I have to do 50 hours CPD every 5 years, I have to pay £40 a year for a subscription to an online CPD site, I then have to prove I have done this CPD, write down on a record what I learnt from it etc. I have to do a personal development plan every year. This is all in my own time.
I have to start early to get all jobs done that I'm asked.. usually 15-30 minutes I come in early, unpaid.
I have to do the odd on call weekend, of which is I'm called out I get £15 per patient.. if I'm not called, I don't get paid. Meaning a weekend is restricted for no pay.
It's quite a stressful job, everything has to be ready for the dentist, cleaned, notes taken. Spots checks done to make sure your surgery is clean. Lots of tick boxes.
Other nurses are quite hostile to one another.
Some nurses have done extra courses and have extra duties for no more pay.
All this ... for £10.50ph.
Tell me, would you do it? and anyone who is a dental nurse on here, how do you feel at the moment? Do you feel valued? Or have you left the industry and found it's the best thing you've ever done?