Leaving the NHS. At end of the line.

[Tethersend01]

My mental health has been deteriorating for some time (ironic as I work in MH as a senior nurse).
Reached a crisis point at the weekend, unable to think or function.
After 25 years in the NHS I realise I need to leave now to save myself.
Trying to do such difficult work in an impossible system has broken me.
So many things wrong too many to list.
My pay hasn’t increased in real terms for 13 years.
Not sure why I’m posting really.

Thank you I'm sorry it has come to this, but you must take care of yourself

I agree with @toolazytothinkofausername you are so much more important x

Leave the NHS and look after yourself.

It's a very difficult issue. People don't seem to understand the fact that there are hardworking, dedicated staff like you, pushed to breaking point, whilst simultaneously the NHS is broken. They just clap, put up NHS flags, make positive social media posts and think all will be fine. We all need to face up to the problems the NHS has, otherwise they will never be improved.

Well sadly you aren’t alone, so many NHS staff are just broken I’m not surprised really, you’re employer (the Government) have under valued and under paid you for years. And the level of disrespect for NHS staff is appalling.

You are doing the right thing getting out. I wish you well and I hope life gets easier.

I am so sorry you Feel this way and please know you are appreciated and its understandable why you feel you need to quit. Please be kind to yourself and best wishes for the future

I feel the same as you... I fully empathise..
25 years health care professional.
Burnt out
Sadly I don't know what else I can do job wise?

Can't retire til I'm 67 and I'm 53 now..
☹️

You have devoted enough of your time and energy. The patients you have helped will always remember you.
Your employer will get someone else to take your place and will move on.
I worked in the nhs for 40 years.
You have done your bit and believe me, your employer cares nothing for your physical or mental health.
Leave, rest, recuperate.
If you nurture yourself you will have more to contribute and some quality of life going forward.
Thank you for the years you have given.

I think the MH side of the NHS is the worst one to work in. There is no support for staff and I'm sure the higher managers think because we work in MH we know how to look after ourselves while they are pushing more onto us and asking us to cancel holidays to cover shifts.

You do need to look after yourself, its a horrible situation to be in.

I’m a very junior nhs nurse but thank you for your 25 years. I hope you find something that’s paid more fairly and treats you better. I know many nurses who’ve gone to permanent agency or into education and had a better time of it

You have loads of transferable skills. There will be so many potential jobs you havent even thought of. When you work for so long in one place you become institutionalised.
Once you step back and look, you will see the bigger picture.

I really empathise. I am burnt out in a social care role and everyone says just leave and prioritise your health but it is hard to know what I would then do on a practical level eg how I would pay my bills.

I am sorry. I felt the same after the first year of Covid and took a break from clinical (I was already a bit fed up). Being out of it has helped and, insanely, I am off to study nursing next September!

I don't intend to work for the NHS for too once I qualify, however.

My Mum was a CPN and left nearly 20 years ago because of her insane workload which seriously affected her mental health. I can only imagine how bad things are now.

Take care of yourself.

I've recently left the NHS after over 30 years. It wasn't entirely my choice (ill health) though I'm pretty sure that my manager framed it as being so to the rest of the department as that absolved her of any responsibility for events and the added pressure on my colleagues.(9 months on I've not been replaced despite the need to replace me being used as pressure for why I needed to go.🙄 )
I won't go into details as I suspect my situation would be very identifiable but let's just say that my many years of flogging myself for the Trust weren't reciprocated when I needed them, either in terms of being treated well as a patient or as an employee. I'm pretty bitter.
I really miss caring for patients and working with many of my immediate colleagues but I don't miss being an NHS employee at all. My overall well being is much better now I know that I never have to go back to that toxic environment.
I don't blame you for leaving. More or less all my former colleagues who can leave have done, and many of the rest are counting the days to retirement. Its such a shame. We used to be a very happy and effective team but not any more.It's a big step when you have been with the same organisation for such a long time but believe in yourself. There is life outside the NHS and you will definitely have transferable skills. Good luck.

I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I hope you manage some time off to reflect on what to do going forward.

Having left the NHS myself, here are my top tips for leaving the NHS. Maybe they will be helpful. There is absolutely life after the NHS.

1. If (& only if) you can bear it, whilst you are off long term sick get your mandatory training as close to 100% as you can. Print off every certificate possible.

1. If (& only if) you can bear it, do all the e-learning for Covid vaccinating.

1. You will very likely be institutionalised & it will take time to accept this - if you have another job you will have a transition period to what a 'normal' job is - when you get breaks and leave on time & you will find this incredible.

1. Do as much of your revalidation as possible even if it's isn't due for another year. Don't forget to get feedback from colleagues.

1. If you are going to need a new job, have a look in The Lady. There are some lovely jobs available. Also try high end 1-2- care agencies. I have a former colleague earning just under £4,000 a month for being a companion to an elderly lady. She does meds and cares.

1. There are so many Covid vaccine shifts available. It's long shifts but not difficult work. You get breaks and will leave on time. I get £30 an hour from a pharmacy chain. They get paid £12.50 per vaccine I give so don't allow anyone to under pay you for this work.

1. Contact your local uni. Lecturing pays £58 p/hr where I am. Interviewing is £22 p/hr. they always need experienced people.

1. CQC pays £300 p/day for specialist advisors on inspections. It is a phone interview and it is not hard. They need specialists in all disciplines.

Lots of love to you. I know it's hard.

Hello, I recently left after a much shorter time than you but whilst finishing my degree over the last 5 years and working in various NHS roles (also having family work there in higher roles) I cam to the conclusion about 18 months ago I wanted to change degree paths and not focus on health and medicine anymore, it was making me feel depressed and anxious about the future some of my colleagues especially through covid efforts have been toxic and unpleasant and the environment as a whole isn't great. I am now pursuing environmental (water) sciences as a career as it's much more relaxed and I am enjoying it also, 'sh*t people are far worse than dealing with actual shit for water services' what are you planning to do now?x

came*

So sorry to hear that your work is having such a negative impact. A nurse with 25yrs of experience is a sad loss for the NHS, but your happiness and well-being are far more important. I hope with time you can use your knowledge and experience in a new venture, which will bring you both job satisfaction and happiness

I know why you're sharing. I've been in nhs for 24 years and I'm currently facing an investigation. New management went on a fishing trip and now I'm having to explain all my management decisions the staff didn't like and held on to since 2020. Rather than escalate at the time to my matron. I'm heart broken. I just can't get past wasting my life in a trust that has ended up treating me so badly. I go over all the extra hours and tears I've shed in my job for an organisation that doesn't care. The hypocrisy is unbearable. I'm sorry for you. For us all. Please tell me you've moved on and now you're happy 😊
I'm waiting for my opportunity to do the same. Its devastating.

I understand. I left Nursing a few years ago ( although not strictly NHS) after 30 years in the profession. I was totally burnt out. there are other things you can do although maybe not at the same pay.

I’ve been in MH for half the time you have, and I’m thinking that I can’t deal with it in the long term. It’s just too much. I’m looking at other options in the private and/or third sector. Or even locuming so I don’t feel as trapped!

Are you retiring?
Or looking for a new job?
I'm a 'senior' nurse...so am assuming you are band 7 same as me? Will you manage earning less than 47 k a year? ( plus enhancements if you are shoft pay? How many years to retirement? Could you side step to another role? ..... your nhs pension and annual leave is a biggie to give up if you haven't got long to go....can youvretire and return at 55? Make sure you don't leave yourself financially short....and good luck 🍀

Can you get signed off?