Any NHS nurses that can answer a few questions?

[Perch]

So it looks like my marriage is rapidly disintegrating and I don’t think there is anything I can do about it. I need to prepare myself for a single life. 2 DC, no family help around at all. I think I have until next June to get myself sorted.

I just wondered what I can expect from NHS shifts? I haven’t worked since my eldest was born, so 10 years out :( going to apply to do the RTP course asap. I was a specialist nurse before coming to the UK then spent 5 years in various private hospitals fulfilling the terms of my work permit and in a really dead end job to and allow my husband to work and climb the ladder so to speak. I have never worked in the NHS so not sure how shifts work.

Could I for example work a Fri/Sat/Sun nightshift to leave the week free for school runs etc?

Is shift patterns predictable?

Would I be likely to go straight back into a specialist nurse position (eg dialysis unit/A&E, prev experience but its obv a long time ago) from RTP or do you have to work your way up the wards again from scratch.

Thanks for your time x

Hi I'm an A+E sister.

You could join the nurse bank (NHSP) and choose your shifts or you could apply for a family friendly contract and work set shifts?

Hope that helps

Hi Perch, sorry to hear about your marriage.
I have recently completed RTP, am in UK, I trained here.
The RTP is tough. You will need to do either 150 or 200 hours placement, a skills portfolio and an assignment. I found it hard going, like being a student again. Had no say in where placement would be. Luckily mine was lovely, very supportive staff, it all came back quickly.
But the assignment! Hadn’t done one in 20 years. No real say in shifts in placement either.
However, I did it and passed. Quite a few of the ladies on the course were back after marriage breakdown.
Be aware it takes quite a while for your actual pin to come through, like a few months after course ends.
Lots of jobs out there. You will start back as a regular nurse, band 5. But obviously your experience will stand you in good stead for interviews and future work.
Re:bank/agency, they want 2 years recent experience I found. I have school age kids so am looking for private hospitals, or mon-Friday jobs, infusions/clinics etc. May also ask for unpaid leave over some of the hols.
Definitely more flexible shifts about, they are desperate for staff, tell them what you can work and they’ll have openings somewhere.
Good luck!

When I did the RTP course we could choose where to do the placement , as long as they agreed and had sign off mentor there to supervise you. Someone on our course did it on a dialysis unit and got a job there afterwards , same with A&E. You could approach the HR depts and ask if they accept RTp students as all trusts do it differently.

Lots of different shift patterns depending on areas. Not so many places do set nights anymore but that could be different in some areas ..nursing homes are always looking for night nurses. Long days are popular , you could do three long days ?

There is a dire shortage of school nurses , some teams offer term time contracts .

I was speaking to one of my tutors recently and they said the NMC is looking at standardising the whole thing, so it will be run exactly the same throughout the UK.
Yes, some were offered jobs where they did placement.

I did RTP I had Dh at home for school runs though.
Doing my Student hours was just like regular work shifts, I did 12 hours on random days.
Then got a job in the ward I had been a student on. Early starts and for me it was lots of short days so part time 24 hours meant I still went in 3 or 4 times a week.
One woman single with kids didn't have the childcare that tarted ealry enough in the mornings for RTP student days so never finished.
Shifts started at 7.30am so with travel and getting dressed at work I used to be there a few minutes after 7 each day.

Thanks for all replies and good wishes. I think I’m going to do this in baby steps. Applying to rtp course will be step one.

I don’t get men. I really don’t. In the last 12 years we have moved hemisphere, arriving here with two suitcases and a few thousand pounds (I cashed in my pension so we could start again). We had the kids, bought a house, got UK citizenship which I am so grateful for, from the outside we are the perfect family with dog and cute cottage. On the inside its infedility, loathing, contempt, and now from my side just indifference. He is on a six figure salary and it really feels like its on the afk of a lot of sacrifices I’ve made. I really don’t care anymore. I just want out. I have for all intents and purposes lived my life as a single mum (sorry i don’t mean to offend single mums, I know you have lots of other struggles) for a couple of years anyway. I really miss work and I loved nursing, time to give it another go. Thanks everyone xxx

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Good luck and get a good solicitor , you've given up a lot for him and deserve support !