Career Change from NHS

[Sundaybluesahead]

I'm an AHP in the NHS, Band 8a, with a role mix of management and clinical responsibilities. Over the last number of years my mental health has really taken a kicking and the triggers are fully work related. I've tried medication, CBT which definitely help take the edge off but in honesty, work daily life is just about tolerable. No stresses at home, but I am the main earner which brings a different sort of pressure as retraining isn't an option. I feel like I'm one step away from a catastrophe and at danger of burn out.

I'd love to change jobs or direction but not sure where to start. I know I have some transferable skills, but clinically is where I'm strongest so to move to a more management focused role sounds counter productive.

I'm looking at NHS roles, jobs within other organisations but not with any clear direction, mostly just checking the same sites. I'm on Linkedin and starting to widen connections there

I'd love to hear from anyone who has made a switch in a similar position.

Sorry I haven’t any advice but will be watching the thread with interest as I’m in the same position.

@begoniagal3 it's rubbish isn't it.
I go round in circles and hopefully someone will come along with clear, sensible advice or experience!

@Sundaybluesahead yes, it’s such a difficult position to be in. I could have written your post. I’m not at all keen on full time management but moving laterally elsewhere without accepting managerial roles seems I would be downgrading to entry-level positions and we can’t at all afford that! (And it would be quite difficult to start again after being in my current role and progressing over the last 18 years!)

I’ve been looking at healthcare adjacent roles like with pharmacy companies or medical records companies (Cerner, for example), but the work doesn’t quite appeal to me, though I don’t want to wait until I’m fully burned out to leave, either.

I was feeling that way too for months, years possibly. My manager left, was replaced, and I can work much better with them. It's really changed how I feel about work. I no longer hate going to work and my mental health has improved massively. That's probably not much help to you tho.

Programme and project management within the NHS?

Teaching? Less money though.

Thanks all. I think I need to widen my thinking net a bit (like a lot)

Could you work in case management for a private company? Not clinical but is patient/client facing. Depends which profession but I know quite a few physios who have moved to private companies providing NHS services who have found the conditions much better.