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AIBU?

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Original poster

Leave Nursing ?

85 replies

ohsotired2022 · 25/02/2026 08:26

I’m 47.
I’ve been a Nurse for over 20 years.
I’ve worked in hospital settings. Community. Health Visiting and School Nursing.

On my Pension Statement it says my Normal Pension Age is 60 as I stated before May 2006.

I’m staying so that I can retire somewhere between 55-60.

I hate it though but worry if I leave I will regret that I walked away from a good pension.

I also don’t know what else I could do.

I have applied for other jobs outwith the NHS and never get an Interview

I even applied for one of the PIP assessor jobs although I hear mixed things but got knocked back.

Would I be Unreasonable to stay for the Pension?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Pherian · 28/02/2026 14:28

ohsotired2022 · 27/02/2026 11:32

@Pherianis the £241 state pension ?

Yes, that’s what it’s going up to.

MatronPomfrey · 27/02/2026 20:40

ohsotired2022 · 26/02/2026 05:35

@MatronPomfrey Sorry that the Job Situation is so dire where you and 25 years is such a long time to stay in Nursing. Well done finding something else that works! What is your role now?

I’ve gone to the probation service which is civil service in England. It’s a steep learning curve but I’ll be retiring in 15 years. They seem to encourage moving around and internal transfers to other areas so plenty of opportunities.

Newyearawaits · 27/02/2026 18:20

ohsotired2022 · 25/02/2026 09:25

Thanks for suggestions, will check these out.
I am on LinkedIn but don’t seem to see the right roles.
I have also applied for a couple of NMC Roles that came up but didn’t get an interview

Are you sure that your CV and applications maximise your skills and experience?
I always get another professional to look at it before submitting, just a suggestion

Blakeley · 27/02/2026 18:18

I get you OP. I’m 3 years younger, an AHP, have worked in the NHS since qualifying in 2003. I’m so burnt out, I’m desperate to get away from clinical work but I’m struggling to find a fit. Our skill set, if you look at it on paper broken down from what we actually have to do day to day, is incredible, but it’s being able to demonstrate it in applications to non clinical jobs that I find difficult. I’ve also been back and forward about leaving the NHS but the pension is always what brings me back into thinking I should stay aswell. I can’t afford to take a pay cut so I need a job at my same band and finding something that fits what I want, at my band where I can show evidence to support my application feels near impossible. There’s also the current climate of structure change that men’s jobs don’t come up much. I’m mostly thinking along the lines of business support eg project, governance, clinical systems etc.

Blakeley · 27/02/2026 18:10

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 25/02/2026 19:00

Hi op I’m the same age, qualified in 2003.

Where are you working now? I’ve gone into a specialist nurse post and am really happy in this role.

As a side note, how do you look at your pension pot? I probably should check mine out 😬

It’s in your TRS statement on ESR.

Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 27/02/2026 11:44

@Toddlerteaplease I am on the Mailing list for Care Commision Jobs, equivalent to CQC in Scotland

OP posts:
Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 27/02/2026 11:40

@ThesleepycatPractice Nurses are Adult / General which I’m not.
Glad the Nurses at your Practice are happy.y current role is a Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm. So no shifts, evenings, weekends. Off all Public Holidays. I should maybe be grateful for what I’ve got.
I did work shifts on a ward when I first started and had one child. Some parts of ward working and shifts were ok but not great for working mums needing childcare.

OP posts:
Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 27/02/2026 11:34

@TwinTeensMum I’m Children’s Nurse, MH and Health Visitor
I’’ve tried to go back to School Nursing but Successful Job Offer was withdrawn 😞

OP posts:
Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 27/02/2026 11:32

@Pherianis the £241 state pension ?

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 27/02/2026 09:58

TwinTeensMum · 27/02/2026 00:31

are you an adults nurse or children’s nurse? Have you thought of switching? Or going back to school or community nursing or GP surgery’s nurse?

Children’s nursing is fab. And although it can be stressful, it’s nothing like as stressful as adults. Usually 1 nurse to 4 patients and the majority have parents there.

Toddlerteaplease · 27/02/2026 09:57

What about moving to the CQC?

Thesleepycat · 27/02/2026 09:55

Have you thought of applying to GP practices - the nurses at mine seem happy. Always get Christmas new year etc off. And it’s sociable hours - no nights or weekends- no idea what the salary is like. Or if you’d be fed up doing smear tests, immunisations etc I’m guessing there is less variety

TwinTeensMum · 27/02/2026 00:31

are you an adults nurse or children’s nurse? Have you thought of switching? Or going back to school or community nursing or GP surgery’s nurse?

Pherian · 26/02/2026 22:16

ohsotired2022 · 25/02/2026 08:26

I’m 47.
I’ve been a Nurse for over 20 years.
I’ve worked in hospital settings. Community. Health Visiting and School Nursing.

On my Pension Statement it says my Normal Pension Age is 60 as I stated before May 2006.

I’m staying so that I can retire somewhere between 55-60.

I hate it though but worry if I leave I will regret that I walked away from a good pension.

I also don’t know what else I could do.

I have applied for other jobs outwith the NHS and never get an Interview

I even applied for one of the PIP assessor jobs although I hear mixed things but got knocked back.

Would I be Unreasonable to stay for the Pension?

Can you live off £241 a week ? Because you don’t have enough years to build up a sizeable pension elsewhere.

WinterNightStars · 26/02/2026 20:53

DemonsandMosquitoes · 26/02/2026 13:26

I’ve only stayed for the pension but am lucky to have SCS and will be gone at 55 by the end of the year. I will be so glad to be out. I work in general practice, lots of PN’s coming up for retirement. It’s hideous at times.

I’m a PN too & agree, if really is awful some days. Coupled with the poor pay & conditions there’s no reason to stay longer than necessary.

WinterNightStars · 26/02/2026 20:52

ohsotired2022 · 26/02/2026 19:27

@WinterNightStars ahh that is frustrating that you lost your SCS status.
I’m sure you can still retire between 55-60 but just with penalties for taking early?

I can still take it from 55 but with reductions so hopefully won’t affect our plans too much. DH can get his pension at 55 & I have a pension from my short stint in private sector. As a pp said there are lots of practice nurses due to retire & holding out for pension. Unfortunately we get paid significantly less than hospital nurses too so no incentive to stay.

Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 26/02/2026 19:40

This sounds amazing @Gettingbysomehow
well done getting out and finding a role that works for you.
…..off to Google Podiatry

OP posts:
Gettingbysomehow · 26/02/2026 19:30

I couldnt do nursing anymore it was gruelling. I gave up at 45 and did podiatry. You can do a 2 year msc course now.
I did the 3 year and worked in nursing homes during the holidays to pay my mortgage.
We do 9 to 5 no weekends, no bank holidays, lots of annual leave and very fast career progression. You could be a band 7 after a year. None of this sitting on band 5 for years like nurses.
A lot of us do half ptivate and half NHS.
I once earned 10k in one month doing private work.
I cant undwrstand why anyone sticks nursing especially at 40 plus.

Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 26/02/2026 19:27

@WinterNightStars ahh that is frustrating that you lost your SCS status.
I’m sure you can still retire between 55-60 but just with penalties for taking early?

OP posts:
Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 26/02/2026 19:26

@DemonsandMosquitoesdefinitely nearly there ! That must be a nice feeling that all your hard work will be worth it soon. Hope this year goes by calmly for you.

OP posts:
Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 26/02/2026 19:24

@Teresa3349Glad you found a role that felt right and now you can enjoy your retirement 😊

OP posts:
Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 26/02/2026 19:23

@MrsBenevolentI could apply for PIP as I’’m dual trained and also MH, RCN and SCPHN plus 1 year as Family Nurse.
I’ve completely worked my way down 🤦‍♀️
I see people I trained with years ago who have just kept climbing up whereas I’ve side stepped then down due to demands of my family.
I am torn as to whether I would like PIP
or not. Have heard people saying both good and bad but think more bad.

I also checked out one the NHS 24 post advertised earlier and I can’t apply as you need to be Adult trained which I’m not. Sometimes wish I had done Adult instead, as more options. I chose Children’s Nursing as my Goal was to be a Health Visitor so thought this would be a good route to do down.

OP posts:
Teresa3349 · 26/02/2026 17:29

I was lucky enough to retire with a reduced pension at 57 and then worked part time until 61 . Now fully retired.And loving life There were soo many times I wanted to leave as the job was soo stressful. Just leaving the stressful environment and finding a job in another specialty worked for me . And I ended up with loads of transferable skills . Have you thought about freezing your pension ? Idk if you can leave the NHS pension for up to 2 yrs without adversely affecting your pension.
Best Of luck

TheHouse · 26/02/2026 17:26

@MrsBenevolent

Fair enough then the OP couldn’t apply. My sisters done it for a decade though. It isn’t all that bad for some people clearly.

MrsBenevolent · 26/02/2026 17:12

TheHouse · 26/02/2026 16:36

Try PIP assessor. My sisters done it for over a decade but the turnover is very high. Most people hate it. But you never know?

We covered this earlier on. And as an ex assessor I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

OP isn't eligible either as is an RSCN. You have to be an adult (RGN) or MH nurse.

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