I’m quitting my job in law to go and work for the NHS, AMA.

[NHSinterviewupcoming]

As the title says.

Who is funding this massive drop in income and where can I get one? 😂

My husband is decently paid and we’ve always lived pretty frugally. Honestly, for the change in my mental health, it’ll be worth it. Our kids aren’t home anymore either, so that’s a bonus!

no offense but why do you think your mental health is going to be any better in the NHS???
We are all literally on our knees...

Because for the last ten years I’ve been underpaid, stretched to breaking point (I’ve put in 100+ hour work weeks in the last few months), given my all to the company I work for, and get very little back. Anything is better than this.

It’s a bit of a strange AMA.

Anyway, good luck. Hope the grass is greener and all that 😬

What made you pick the NHS, specifically? As opposed to a charity, or a community law centre, where you could do something to feel as though you were making a difference whilst using your professional skills?

Anecdotally from my brief stint corporate side in the NHS when I just took whatever I could find post being made redundant, I found it very hierarchical and struggled with being treated like an idiot for being “just” a junior clerical worker. Now I’m much more experienced as a lawyer, I’d probably struggle to bite my tongue as much as I had to then!

Good for you OP. I have been in NHS 25 years, it's not all bad..........

Because I don’t want to work in anything to do with the law right now. I’m sick of it. I’m sick of the way clients talk to you, I’m sick of the attitudes of everyone around me and I’m sick of being treated like dirt. Everyone I’ve come across on the recruitment journey so far has been amazing

Good luck OP. Just speaking as a patient but I always feel that NHS patients are very lucky to have people like you coming on board with that ethos of wanting to help. Thank you.
I can’t comment on the pay situation as it’s not my area, but I very much relate to your feelings of not wanting to stay enriching a private company that’s been happily exploiting you.

Doesn’t mean it’s OK for the NHS to exploit anyone, but I just wanted to say that I get your reasoning. Public sector exploitation is rife in the civil service as well by the way, so I would say just go for the work environment you feel would make you happiest and then change again if it doesn’t suit you. Your skills are going to be wanted in lots of places. Hope that you find a new job you love.

I really do wish you well with your new job OP. It’s taken me 8 years to get anywhere decent in my role, but my direct colleagues now are great and the job is alright. But I don’t think it’s going to be as easy as you’re expecting it to be.

Double posted

I’d rather be exploited when providing the public a service, than to ensure my manager takes home nearly a million

You've not met the patients yet....they're the ones that speak to you like shit and assault you and put in official complaints.
Enjoy.

As I’ve said, I won’t be working in patient care.

Good for you i would always pick happiness over money

Is it admin ?

Yes, I’m quite looking forward to it!

Which area will you be working in? I’m in R&D as a nurse and our legal team are short of staff all the time resulting in delays in opening studies.

I’m surprised that the Trust is able to get away with paying a Band 2 for that role.

If the job spec lists a degree qualification it usually is a minimum of Band 5.

Good luck and I hope you can progress up the bands quickly.

It doesn’t require a degree. It’s just plain old booking patients in.

There must be some vacancies at higher Bands that you would be qualified to do in the nhs? I’ve advertised 2 in the past year at band 5 for data management. I’d have snapped you up if you had applied

I don’t want the responsibility. I just want to work, bring in some fun money for me and my husband, and breathe.

I’ve been in the nhs for almost 30 years. Working my way up then down for family reasons and am very well paid for the role I do, way more than you have been in law. You can do this. You have transferable skills I’m sure. Nobody needs to be so negative!

If your booking patients in then will you ever speak to them?

I am waiting for an investigation, 2 separate NHS depts could not agree on what tests I was allowed to have. Until I have this test I can’t have a GA. There have been huge errors between these 2 depts, if I was even a bit of a difficult person I would be kicking off by now as it’s been shambolic.

NHS IT systems are generally absolute shit. As my investment banking IT friend says anyone in IT that is decent never works in the public sector as the pay is appalling. His junior staff earn as much as heads of IT security in hospitals.

My DH is a high up lawyer and honestly I think he’d feel the same! It’ll be really nice for you to get into a routine of going to work and then coming home and having zero caseload. You might even sleep well!!

I hope it works out for you, but NHS is no picnic …. Bullying, abuse, inadequate systems and resources… welcome to the trenches !!