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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:
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?

FakeTwix · 26/02/2026 15:15

Zanatdy · 26/02/2026 06:09

How about moving into the civil service? They also have a great pension. We have lots of ex teachers / nurses join.

What roles do they do?

WinterNightStars · 26/02/2026 14:30

Im only biding my time to retire too. I’m 54 now, started nursing in 1990 & I’m just done with it. Unfortunately I don’t have SCS as I had 8 years out working in private sector. DH & I are definitely hoping to retire in next few years. I was v poorly last year & almost didn’t make it so brings a very different perspective. I’ve also heard awful things about the PIP roles too. I’m currently a practice nurse.

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.

MSJ14 · 26/02/2026 10:43

Your never too old <3

Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 26/02/2026 09:00

Thanks @sashhwill have a look at the FE colleges websites

OP posts:
Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 26/02/2026 08:59

Thanks @Zanatdy
Do you search for Civil Service on Local Council Website? What sort of job are ex nurse and teachers doing?

OP posts:
rainandshine38 · 26/02/2026 08:01

@ohsotired2022i started teaching in FE. I did bank work at spire on side. Then I moved into an HE job after I started my Masters ( but I hadn’t completed at that point). You need a current NMC registration to teach on nursing programmes. ( unless you are a biologist or some other specialist they have teaching science etc)

Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 26/02/2026 07:55

Thanks @rainandshine38I do feel torn between walking away and holding onto my Registration
Did you complete a Masters to become a Lecturer?
do you still hold your Nursing Registration?

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 26/02/2026 06:09

How about moving into the civil service? They also have a great pension. We have lots of ex teachers / nurses join.

sashh · 26/02/2026 05:56

Have you considered teaching in FE? You do your teaching qualification part time while working.

Every college offers at lest one Health and Social Care course but they are short of people who can teach the Anatomy and Physiology units.

Another option would be to look at the care sector, could you manage a care home?

Go in to the private sector, worse benefits but better pay.

rainandshine38 · 26/02/2026 05:46

I’m a nurse lecturer. Do you enjoy teaching?

advice- don’t give up your registration. You may feel like it now but it’s worth hanging onto if you are somewhere you can revalidate.

Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 26/02/2026 05:38

@Twoweeksandcountingyour experience skills and skills sounds similar to me.
Well done finding a role that works and making the move.
I have thought about independent (private) schools a few times but don’t often see these roles coming up.
I’ll keep looking.
Good Luck

OP posts:
Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 26/02/2026 05:36

@Amie30Will have a read of the Job Description when one next comes up and see if it would work for me.

OP posts:
Original poster
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?

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Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 26/02/2026 05:34

@brunetteorblondeI have applied twice to Care Experienced and then withdrawn as F/T and I’m currently 30 hours. Will be keeping an eye out for these roles coming up again…hopefully!

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Twoweeksandcounting · 25/02/2026 22:46

If you think you might want to take the leap
from the NHS, but not sure where else to look, have you considered a school nurse post in an independent school? That’s what I did - MH trained, worked as a camhs nurse, then SCPHN and worked as a HV, then made the move into independent school
nursing. I love my job!

Amie30 · 25/02/2026 21:50

ohsotired2022 · 25/02/2026 19:54

@Amie30I will have a look at the Job Description. I do these posts often come up but think because I’m not Adult Trained that I don’t have the right Qualification

I’m not a nurse/clinical, but I see NHS24 advertised often and I think there are various clinical roles, I’ve used it for my kids various times. Worth looking into. Otherwise, what about other public sector roles which also have decent pensions - civil service, local government. I have worked with quite a few ex-nurses who had great management skills that transferred into public sector roles unrelated to health.

MatronPomfrey · 25/02/2026 20:49

The job situation for nurses in England is dire in some areas. Lots of recruitment freezes. I’ve left after 25 years and retraining in something completely new. It’s a scary prospect but I needed a change. Still get a government pension in my new job. My NHS pension can either stay where it is or I have a year to move it to my new pension. Not unreasonable to stay for the pension but you need to think about where you’ll be happier.

brunetteorblonde · 25/02/2026 20:48

What about care experienced (previously looked after) nursing or through care nursing? your qualifications look quite relevant for that

Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 25/02/2026 20:42

@Bugsy73I think I’m also looking for a job that doesn’t exist or a combination of previous roles. They all have elements that I like and also don’t like.
I found School Nursing at Band 5 quite autonomous and feel this was the one that got away and maybe I should have stayed altho the money with being term time wasn’t great.
The Child Protection (safeguarding) was worse in Heath Visiting as it fell onto you. I did feel in School Nursing there were others such as named person so not all on the School Nurse. 🤷🏼‍♀️
I hope you find the role that feels the right fit to see you to retiring at 60.

OP posts:
Bugsy73 · 25/02/2026 20:28

ohsotired2022 · 25/02/2026 20:13

@Bugsy73sorry to hear that things are hard.
I feel I’ve worked my way down and back where I started 20 years ago. Although it feels harder than it used to but that’s maybe because I’m 20 years older now.
I’m the same as you in that I’m constantly looking for jobs but there is a real shortage. I wish I had the guts to leave but then to go where. And if the pay is worse ? And I regret losing my pension 🤯

I feel my skill set is quite niche although I am also MH trained as well as Paeds but I’ve never worked on Paeds ward as went straight to Camhs and I have very limited experience as MH Nurse outside of Camhs, just a couple of placements.

Were you not interested in doing the SCPHN Course when you were a School Nurse ?

I'm not keen on safeguarding so never fancied the SCPHN, I really liked immunising, but I wanted a band 6 and CAMHS were desperate enough to give me one! To be fair, they are a lovely service to work for, I just find mental health demoralising, I miss nursing, but don't want the shifts...I'm difficult to please apparently. I would like to work in a clinic, sleep/allergy/continence, something along those lines.
Currently just trying to keep my eye on the prize. If I can get to 60 (8 more yrs), maybe a change of direction, and as part time as I can.

WorkCleanRepeat · 25/02/2026 20:18

Your definitely far from the only one that is still in their public sector job for the pension!

Where i am many people take partial retirement as early as possible. Maybe reducing your hours will make it more tolerable?

Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 25/02/2026 20:15

@Bugsy73I was a Band 6 Camhs Nurse in an Outpatient Team (several times 🙈) and now Band 5.
I think I must be one of the only nurses who works their way down the Bands 🤦‍♀️

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Original poster
ohsotired2022 · 25/02/2026 20:13

@Bugsy73sorry to hear that things are hard.
I feel I’ve worked my way down and back where I started 20 years ago. Although it feels harder than it used to but that’s maybe because I’m 20 years older now.
I’m the same as you in that I’m constantly looking for jobs but there is a real shortage. I wish I had the guts to leave but then to go where. And if the pay is worse ? And I regret losing my pension 🤯

I feel my skill set is quite niche although I am also MH trained as well as Paeds but I’ve never worked on Paeds ward as went straight to Camhs and I have very limited experience as MH Nurse outside of Camhs, just a couple of placements.

Were you not interested in doing the SCPHN Course when you were a School Nurse ?

OP posts: