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Original poster

NHS workers

159 replies

RoseGardenDreams · 17/08/2018 14:07

What do you do in the NHS and which other professionals do you work alongside who you have (job) envy for? I'm trying to decide which career I should choose and need inspiration!

OP posts:
Wishicouldsleep · 18/08/2018 21:42
  • unless you want to train in mammography of course- that is intimate!
ohdeardeardear · 18/08/2018 21:43

I've had a few roles of the years, coronary care nurse, heart and lung specialist nurse, ITU nurse, research nurse and now HV. My transplant job was my favourite but the hours were gruelling and my health started to suffer.

ohdeardeardear · 18/08/2018 21:44

That should say heart and lung transplant specialist nurse 😂

maggycool · 18/08/2018 21:47

@ohdeardeardear, I bet your role in the organ transplant service was a real eye opener too, how did you get into the field? (If you don't mind me asking...)

Babyroobs · 18/08/2018 21:48

I was a Nurse until recently and envy the Occupational therapists- more pay and seems a lot less stressful. if I had my time again I would do that.

northernlites · 18/08/2018 21:54

I'm a midwifery sister and I envy the training team, the research team, the OT's, intelligence analysts and radiographers
A mixed bag I know but some interesting jobs

Since2016 · 18/08/2018 22:00

I’m a project manager - service improvement. But was an ops manager. I’m not sure who I envy. I admire a lot of different professions in the NHS. ESP nurses. I miss my old job but as per a PP, the hours and the pressure are soul destroying. I had some of my consultants telling me they couldn’t do my job. Undecided what to do next really... sorry non clinical so probably not that helpful!

WaitrosePigeon · 18/08/2018 22:01

I’m an A&E nurse but have just left to work in a nursing home. More money and less stress.

WaitrosePigeon · 18/08/2018 22:02

And I don’t envy anyone, NHS is shit.

ohdeardeardear · 18/08/2018 22:03

@maggycool I had been on CCU but they were closing beds and moving staff and I wanted to stay in critical care. I saw the job advertised but was very undecided as I was so happy on CCU and I didn't know for sure if they'd move me. I went for the interview and they showed me round the unit and introduced me to the staff, I fell in love immediately and just knew I'd be happy there. I went on holiday and they offered me the job and when I came back CCU informed me I was being moved so I was pleased I could say I had a new job.

It was a real privilege to work with these patients, things we take for granted like getting up out of a chair without becoming short of breath, or going on a last minute holiday. When I started on the general cardiothoracic unit we had a transplant wing, not many staff liked working on there because post-op heart and lung transplant patients were quite complex with invasive monitoring and multiple drugs. I actually loved it and they saw this so I was permanently on this wing, a job came up for the specialist role and I got it. We were on call, we did clinics, we liaised with the ward after. It was so enjoyable and I got to build up such a good relationship with them. It was humbling. Obviously, it was also heartbreaking at times, too. It got too much in the end as the on call rota became unrealistic and I was also travelling a fair distance from home to the hospital, I wanted a family and couldn't see how me doing that role would fit in around children.

I remember a chap who had been called in 13 times for his lungs, 13th time is a charm he said and he was right. He recovered really well.

Transplantation really is the gift of life Smile

SpaceBergerac · 18/08/2018 22:13

I'm a diagnostic radiographer, and I love it. I researched various allied health professions before I trained, and it was the one that stood out for me, great combination of patient care and technology. Real job satisfaction. So I don't really envy any other professions, just really respect what they all do. But it is very physically demanding, absolutely no way I'll be able to do this job til I'm 68 Hmm

FaithEverPresent · 18/08/2018 22:20

Rose I got a non-clinical degree and went on to do my nurse training.

northender · 18/08/2018 22:24

Another physio here. I work with chronic respiratory patients in the community & wouldn't swap my role. I'm about to do my independent prescribing training so I may not be as positive over the next 4 months Grin

StephenKatz · 18/08/2018 22:55

I'm a specialist nurse working with young adults. I absolutely love my job and no longer envy anyone, unlike when I was a staff nurse when all I wanted was to be out.

shuthefrontdoor · 18/08/2018 23:09

I'm a medical receptionist and I envy the HCA's & nurses. Luckily I'll be becoming a HCA shortly :)

Original poster
RoseGardenDreams · 19/08/2018 08:45

I think OT is winning purely based on how varied it is. Being indecisive, I'm thinking that I'd surely find an area that suited me. Thank you all for sharing and giving me food for thought!

OP posts:
Meandyoumake2 · 19/08/2018 08:53

I'm an OT,I love my job however the physios on my ward don't have half the stress. We both get them up (nearly all take two people) we both mobilise them then over the coming days/weeks I work on personal care,dressing,toileting and kitchen activities while their assistant continues with exercises and mobility,the physio has moved to the next client while I work on facilitating discharge! Great Physio just two different roles

knottybeams · 19/08/2018 09:08

GP. Used to be an orthopaedics doc. Envy the ortho boys (and it is all boys here) who didn't have to compromise their careers for childcare.

ch0c0milkrox · 19/08/2018 09:15

@MoreProsecco yes it is just wish I could get the libre in my area my diabetes would be a million times better then Smile you're not in rugby areyou? GrinGrin

ladybirdsaredotty · 19/08/2018 09:16

Thanks for this thread, I'm trying to make a similar decision. In my case ta complicated by the fact I can't access many of the training courses because of distance, or time since I finished my first (non-professional) degree.

Have you looked on the NHS jobs website to see if there are regularly jobs available in your area for any of the careers you're thinking about? In my area there are far fewer jobs available in the AHPs than in nursing, for example. Of course, there are probably also more nurses being trained...

ladybirdsaredotty · 19/08/2018 09:19

*It's complicated (Grin)

Original poster
RoseGardenDreams · 19/08/2018 09:22

There are lots of OT jobs in my area and quite a few SALT jobs. I need to make a pros and cons list for each. I wish I wasn't so indecisive!

OP posts:
EnthusiasmIsDisturbed · 19/08/2018 09:24

Forensic mental health support worker I love my job and further training as a mental health nurse

I envy occupational health workers we do large amounts of their work as do the cpn’s without the extra pay

But there is at times an underlying sneering towards them so don’t envy that

coughingbean · 19/08/2018 09:28

I'm a lab assistant in hisopathology,
I love my job but am envious of the scientists.
Which is why I am planning to train to become one!

coughingbean · 19/08/2018 09:29

*hisTopathology