Anybody ever asked for a demotion at work ?

[Stasiland]

I'm 55 and have been a staff nurse for just over 30 years. Developed long covid and mentally at least don't think I could cope with the stress of the job anymore. I can just about afford to retire now but would probably have to work a day or so a week just to maintain my sanity and top my income up. I'm seriously thinking about asking my manager if I could return as a health care assistant. Appreciate that this role isn't a walk in the park but it certainly isn't as psychologically intense. I suppose I just want to concentrate on providing the basics of care rather than just endless paperwork and staring at a computer screen. I could work as a RN one day a week and earn twice as much but the thought of revalidation, study days, just all the stress of the job etc really does sicken me. Has anyone asked for what is essentially a demotion ?

I've known people to take a step back (mainly from a band 7 back to a 6) though I haven't done it myself. I think your difficulty will be in doing an unqualified role as a qualified individual as you retain your duty of care as a nurse even if you aren't employed as a nurse. I suppose if you allow your registration to lapse it might be a possibility? Will it really reduce your stress, though? You will end up being directed by nurses with less experience than yourself which may not be as relaxing as you think.

My boss did. He stepped down a rank. He was very relieved and much happier.

I work in HR and have helped several staff step back into less senior roles when they wanted to - usually due to health, work-life balance or personal issues.

Always happy to do it providing there's a job there for them to do as it has helped us retain great staff!

Just be aware in a unionised environment and in businesses where there are policies on recruitment and selection this may need to be worked around. Eg staff member wanted to step down into a vacant junior role, local agreement says competitive selection process must be followed, I spoke with the TU rep who was happy to waive the rule on this occasion as it meant a senior job vacancy would be created (we don't have many of them!) and her member would be supported to remain in work.

Thanks for the replies ! Some food for thought especially re being directed by inexperienced staff My manager has talked about wfh, oxygen sats clinic, vaccinations maybe. Another colleague has also been redeployed to a different office based area and is enjoying it although she has remained an RN. For me it's also a lack of confidence as I've been off sick so long.

As above, you would need to come off the register to work as a carer. Your RN-level duty of care as a registrant doesn't disappear just because you're in a different role, but your employer will only indemnify you for the role you are being paid for.

I've known people to come off the register to work as a carer, and most of them have been pleased with their decision, the other was coming back as an RtP nurse.

Could also look for a part-time role outside of nursing, of course!

Have you thought about working in a vaccination centre as a band 5? Plenty of support, decent hours and a lot less stress than on the wards. Or clinic nursing?

I did. And was better for it. For the main part it was okay. But I went from managerial position to non. And was hard to see when people were not working properly and I couldn’t do anything about it.

I haven’t taken a demotion in terms of job title, but I did ask to be taken off a certain project a few years ago. I’d successfully managed it for several years but I was burnt out. They hired someone else to take it over. It was fine and they moved me to other projects.

I know several nurses who have done this for different reasons, wanting less responsibility either due to upcoming retirement or just burnt out from nursing. I often joke about doing it myself, my HCA job I did whilst training to be a nurse was the best job I ever had! Worked on the bank and picked up as much or as little work as I wanted. Took holidays whenever I wanted, and hourly rate was better too.

Good luck whatever you choose to do OP. I'm thinking of doing similar. But going to do agency work so paid more anyway.

Yes me and I am loving it. If you're able to, please consider it and the time you get back to focus on yourself/others/hobbies etc.

Currently in process of waiting for my CE to start interviewing for my replacement. I can't wait to 'lose' my team and all the responsibilities that go with it. Looking forward to Managing only a few people instead of many (although I would have preferred not to be a Manager at all)! My CE is I think rather shocked at how little interest I have in my replacement!! Go for it!