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Original poster

Leave Nursing

57 replies

ohsotired2022 · 22/09/2024 06:40

Help, stuck and not sure what to do?

I've been a Nurse for 19 years. Various roles at band 5, 6 & 7. Both community and hospital based.

Currently working in Mental Health, Outpatient dept. I hate it!
I received a diagnosis this year as being Autistic and my 3 children are ND.

I think as an ND individual I keep trying to find the right role that works but everywhere I look is designed for NT people.

I'm in my 40's and can retire at 60 so have been clinging onto that somewhat but not sure I cling on anymore.

Just looking for advice as to what other roles there are after nursing or within nursing but I've not found it yet?

I've asked around this before and one option that often comes up is lecturer. Where I live the Uni's look for you to have a Masters which I don't have.

I've previously worked as a Health Visitor and School Nurse.

I'm not sure if I should stay in the NHS for the pension although it is making me miserable or look outwith although would have to take a drop in pay.

Thanks ☺️

OP posts:
Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 22/09/2024 15:43

@Berga yep, this is definitely a valid point. I often think when I meet people and you know they are so fed up they should move on so yes, I should take my own advice. It's not fair on patients .

OP posts:
Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 22/09/2024 15:42

@RadicalRaven I'm so sorry that you had such a negative experience.
I think Students have had a tough time.
Think maybe you've had a lucky escape.

OP posts:
PieonaBarm · 22/09/2024 14:36

I keep getting adverts for MI5 who are heavily recruiting vetting officers which when you read the job role involves talking to people and finding out about them. Which as a nurse you'll be used to doing so. Have a look at the advert

www.mi5.gov.uk/careers/opportunities/vetting-officers

Berga · 22/09/2024 14:30

theresabluebirdinmyheart · 22/09/2024 08:03

Yes you should leave, as a patient in mental health outpatients it’s always obvious when you get a nurse who hates their job and it’s very damaging to the treatment and recovery process. For your sake and the patients’ sake I hope you find something more fulfilling 🙂

I agree with this. I left MH nursing as soon as I started to feel burnt out. I'm in a job I hate now, but it pays well and no one is negatively affected by my lack of engagement.

I agree that moving to other public sector jobs is the best way forward.

RadicalRaven · 22/09/2024 13:48

I started a nursing degree last year as a mature student. I have just left the course because the way nurses are treated is beyond shocking. I repeatedly got asked to do things I had not been trained in with is unsafe for patients and when I said I didn’t feel comfortable doing that I was treated really badly by the other nurses. I was assaulted which was just shrugged off my the ward manager as she believed it to be an occupational hazard. There is just zero support.

Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 22/09/2024 13:47

Thanks for the link @Dropdout will keep an eye out.

I would be happy to move away from patient facing roles so will look
Into these suggestions, thanks ☺️

OP posts:
Dropdout · 22/09/2024 13:44

It's heading away from direct patient contact though so maybe less rewarding. If you want to keep that, could PALS be something to consider? Or there's risk management/clinicalgovernance, or managing say a nurse bank rather than a ward?

Dropdout · 22/09/2024 13:39

ohsotired2022 · 22/09/2024 08:05

@Dropdout what are the Health informatics posts ?
I've seen Research posts and have thought about them but always been a bit unsure but maybe now is the time to try it out.

I can only see one specific nurse vacancy in health informatics right now but they do come up, search nurse or clinical and digital or informatics.
https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/H9070-24-0600?keyword=Nurse%20digital&skipPhraseSuggester=true&staffGroup=NURSINGG*ANDNDMIDWIFERYREGD&language=enn

Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 22/09/2024 09:13

@thankyouforthedayz thank you for PIP suggestion.
It's definitely a role I've thought about.
I've heard mixed reviews from those that have went down this route.

I'm not sure a pressurised role is right for me just now but definitely not ruling it out.

OP posts:
Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 22/09/2024 09:12

Thanks @stonebrambleboy this sounds like it was a great opportunity for you. Glad you found something prior to retirement.
Yes, I do feel being perimenopausal may be a factor here.
I just feel burnt out.

Thanks for the positive vibes ! Going to hold onto that and focus on 2025 being a year of change.

OP posts:
thankyouforthedayz · 22/09/2024 08:51

Would you consider PIP assessor? I think assessments are contracted out to private companies and it's mostly telephone work from home. Like every other public sector role else these days I believe it's insanely pressured though.

stonebrambleboy · 22/09/2024 08:50

After 33 years in clinical I'd had enough (also menopausal) I too couldn't think what else I could do outside nursing it was all I knew. I then got a year's secondment in the Trust in the governance team that led to another admin role with Macmillan, I loved that until I retired. You can do it, look at 2025 as the year for change. Good luck x

Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 22/09/2024 08:10

Thank you @theresabluebirdinmyheart
I definitely wouldn't want to add to a patients distress and discomfort.
This is a helpful viewport.
It's something I've felt before about others and need to be mindful of this.

OP posts:
Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 22/09/2024 08:09

@Twoweeksandcounting yes, would definitely consider this. Will add this to today's search. Thanks for that suggestion.

OP posts:
Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 22/09/2024 08:08

Thanks @Pippa12 I have felt motivated and enthusiastic about my role in the past but now just feel stressed.
Not sure if it's to do with my own ND child and my age. Or the current pressures of the NhS or a combination of those factors.
Hope things become more manageable for you.

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Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 22/09/2024 08:07

Thanks @Nannyfannybanny I did sign up for a Chiropractor online training a few years ago with the I mention of seeing how this went and then never completed the course. It's maybe time to revisit this. Good to hear what some ex nurses are doing.

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Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 22/09/2024 08:05

@Dropdout what are the Health informatics posts ?
I've seen Research posts and have thought about them but always been a bit unsure but maybe now is the time to try it out.

OP posts:
theresabluebirdinmyheart · 22/09/2024 08:03

Yes you should leave, as a patient in mental health outpatients it’s always obvious when you get a nurse who hates their job and it’s very damaging to the treatment and recovery process. For your sake and the patients’ sake I hope you find something more fulfilling 🙂

Twoweeksandcounting · 22/09/2024 07:59

Would you consider nursing in a private school? I have a MH and HV background and moved into independent school nursing a few years ago. Still get lots of variety (injuries, acute and chronic illness, mental health) but the workload is smaller and the stress is faaaaar lower than any NHS job I ever had

Pippa12 · 22/09/2024 07:52

I have no suggestions really but agree times are tough in the nhs at the minute.

The pressure to save money across all departments is phenomenal and exhausting. Our workload has literally doubled (and I mean patient load doubled!) in the past 8 weeks as a ‘more effective way of working’.

Im also in my 40’s working in management.

I absolutely love my job and patients but not sure how I can keep this up.

I truly hope you find a way out that doesn’t mean financial ruin for years! Then come back and tell me!

Nannyfannybanny · 22/09/2024 07:48

I don't know if this would appeal,a few of my nursing colleagues trained as chiropodist or podiatrist. Partly working in a clinic, partly Mobile, picking their own hours to suit.

Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 22/09/2024 07:45

Thanks @Zanatdy do you know what kind of roles the ex teachers are doing ?
I've had a look and so far not seeing roles that I have the skills for but will look at all the roles. I'm maybe not realising what transferable skills I have.

OP posts:
Dropdout · 22/09/2024 07:43

Health informatics might be a suitable route? Or research?

Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 22/09/2024 07:43

@Memyaelf sounds a great set up.
I still have one child at High School and one at Primary so tied a bit for now but this sounds great. Will look into it.

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 22/09/2024 07:40

ohsotired2022 · 22/09/2024 07:12

@Zanatdy thanks for this. This sounds really helpful. I never know where to look apart from NHS or LinkedIn. And LinkedIn only offers me Nurse Roles.
Do I just search "Civil Service Jobs" ?

Here we go: https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi

You can set alerts too on there

Civil Service job search - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK

Search and apply for jobs in the UK Civil Service

https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi

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