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AIBU?

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Original poster

To consider working for the NHS?

59 replies

NHSMaybe · 02/02/2025 14:57

I'll start by saying healthcare in general is really not my thing. I'm very appreciative of the NHS, but I can't 'do' blood, would never want to be a doctor/nurse (very squeamish) and have never even looked at any jobs working within the sector.

I work in a pretty niche operations role in the Tech Sector. I'm a Director - very good role with lots of perks, including lots of WFH except for when I travel every month or so. I earn approx £130k base, with a few years of incredible bonuses. On paper everything in the role is perfect, but I have the underlying constant feeling that essentially I'm not doing any 'good' - I'm just making rich people (and me!) richer.

I've been approached about an NHS role in the same niche. The role is Associate Director (band 8d, £96-109k inc a supplement for being based in central London) and I've been assured it would be hybrid and flexible. Not really scope to progress without expanding from my niche, but that is the case in my current role too!

Am I mad to be considering this? I could definitely 'survive' (very well, I appreciate I'm a higher earner!) off the lower salary, and it's actually made me feel really excited for the first time in a while about making a difference.

Also some technical questions:

  • If you work in the operations/admin side of things, do you feel you have a good work/life balance? I know there's 'the NHS is on its knees!' which gets spoken about a lot, but outside of primary care is this still the case? FWIW the role is in a specialist hospital, not a general one.
  • I've heard conflicting things, but would I be able to negotiate salary for further up the band due to previous experience? A friend works for the NHS and is adamant I'd only be 'allowed' to enter at the bottom of the band.

Also happy to hear general tips/considerations when thinking about working for the NHS. I know the pension scheme is pretty good! I'm very new to this and have no one to talk to about it IRL (friend who works for the NHS doesn't know much about the Operations/Admin side!)

OP posts:
Kosenrufugirl · 02/02/2025 15:27

Pension is very good . But everything changes VERY slowly AND not necessary for the better. You have to be super diplomatic to succeed and success isn't guaranteed.

If your motivation is to help make the world a better place how about mentoring state secondary school students to get into science subjects/lobby your company to create internship/apprenticeship/work experience for inner city school student/ethnic minority student/female secondary school student? You wouldn't need to do it alone, there are charities around

SparklingXmas · 02/02/2025 15:25

I wouldn’t- they are making cuts to non clinical jobs again in the NHS and regulations will be coming into force for senior roles. Sounds like you have a perfect role already. You could shadow a role and see if it’s worth it- also talk to the other lower bands in your potential team- to understand the culture and workload.

timetodecide2345 · 02/02/2025 15:18

Why would you want to move jobs. It sounds like you have a very good job already.

The NHS has a completely different culture. I wouldn't risk it.

PetuniaGuardino · 02/02/2025 15:14

I worked for the NHS for over 20 years and be warned, from the domestics to the top management it is a nest of vipers.

PrincessAnne5Eva · 02/02/2025 15:05

Oops sorry I see you'd mentioned that.

Most of my family are/were in the NHS. Two did have problems with bullying but none of the others did. It depends on the role and how you fit into the wider structure as far as I can tell because from what they've said in the past, it was the "boots on the ground" jobs (inc low level admin) that seemed to attract bullies.

Original poster
NHSMaybe · 02/02/2025 15:05

username299 · 02/02/2025 15:01

All I know about the NHS is that it's notorious for bullying. I knew someone quite high up, and would rather have chewed my arm off than work with her.

Edited

Ah. Thanks, I think I've heard that somewhere else but haven't connected the dots. Not a problem I've had so far in Tech so definitely something I'll consider, as currently I have pretty good working relationships and no workplace drama!

OP posts:
RenaissanceBaby · 02/02/2025 15:04

username299 · 02/02/2025 15:01

All I know about the NHS is that it's notorious for bullying. I knew someone quite high up, and would rather have chewed my arm off than work with her.

Edited

Agree with this. The higher up the banding you go generally the worse it gets, and the culprits are never called out on their behaviour or sacked for bullying. They just get promoted and moved on to their next set of victims.

PrincessAnne5Eva · 02/02/2025 15:02

You'll be getting an amazing pension so there's that.

username299 · 02/02/2025 15:01

All I know about the NHS is that it's notorious for bullying. I knew someone quite high up, and would rather have chewed my arm off than work with her.