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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not want to move to find work?

88 replies

Studyingmummy · 14/04/2015 16:51

I am just a few weeks away from graduating as an Allied Health Professional so am currently looking for posts to apply for. While many of my much younger fellow student are applying for jobs further afield I have limited myself to the areas I can easily travel to (about 5/6 hospitals). Because of this I have only applied for one job so far (word on the ground is there are 5 posts) and am awaiting another health board releasing posts (likely to be 10+ posts across the city).

Because I'm a mature student with 2 DC in school and many ties to my local area I am reluctant to look further afield. My DH has a progressive chronic condition meaning he cannot work so we are reliant on benefits to an extent, although he also has a small pension from his previous career meaning we don't qualify for child tax credits beyond the basic £500 pa. We are also in council sheltered housing (3 bedground floor flat ) and receive some HB.
I am worried that if I dont get a post in my area soon I may not get another opportunity for several months, maybe up to a year. In the meantime I will look for other work to get me earning again. So AIBU to not apply for jobs involving moving area?

OP posts:
Original poster
Studyingmummy · 14/04/2015 16:53

Should have said there will be around 50 of us graduating from my course. The area i am applying to also seems to attract applicants from further afield so competition for jobs will be fierce.

OP posts:
Homeishappiness · 14/04/2015 16:54

I think YABU because to be frank, public money has funded you through that degree presumably so you could start to earn more and not rely on benefits. Restricting yourself to such an extent makes a mockery of this. That's my honest view, which I would not share were you a friend of mine :)

ilovechristmas1 · 14/04/2015 16:54

imo i think you would be mad to move

you are a council tenant,so very secure,you have children so you would have up to up root them

no way would i think of moving you would be mad to

ilovechristmas1 · 14/04/2015 16:57

you will get other posters telling you you should move and go where the work is etc etc

dont,i really think it would be a bad move,i would rather take a lesser job and wait for the right one than move and have to find schools,housing etc just so you can use your qualifications

bereal7 · 14/04/2015 16:58

I agree with home

Homeishappiness · 14/04/2015 17:02

The issue with 'waiting for the right job' is that if it doesn't emerge in the academic year 2014/15, will it subsequently emerge twelve months later, with competition from freshly trained students? It's not impossible but it can't be planned for either. In other words, the poster could end up never using the degree she presumably worked hard for.

It is absolutely not easy to uproot children but, and at the risk of sounding slightly snarky (and that is unintentional, if I do) - did you not acknowledge this was a possibility prior to starting the course?

Littlemonstersrule · 14/04/2015 17:03

There was little point doing the degree if you don't plan to use it or it means very limited jobs where you live.

I'd move if you can secure a position elsewhere.

PeachyPants · 14/04/2015 17:07

YANBU there are so many things to consider in your circumstance and I think if I was in your position I'd be loathe to move, the risks to my family would outweigh the potential benefits. Hope something suitable comes up near you soon.

RandomMess · 14/04/2015 17:07

If your dh is able to look after your dc then surely the logical thing is for you to look as far afield as you can even with a long commute? Or boarding for part of the week?

Original poster
Studyingmummy · 14/04/2015 17:08

See, I totally get where those who say I should move are coming from! I want to be independent & pay our way, especially as I'm terrified of my Dh losing his disability benefits. However, all our family are local (20 mile radius), we would struggle to get equivalent housing elsewhere (were SO lucky to get our flat) and would be far away from our support network as the jobs advertised are 200+ miles away. I am totally conflicted as to what to do. I know moving would be a nightmare but may be the only way to get my career started. I am so stressed about this and can't focus on completing my final courseworks because of it Confused.

OP posts:
Cherriesandapples · 14/04/2015 17:12

I travel 30 miles to my AHP job. I am specialist in my field and have 22 years experience. If you want to work locally you will have to pull out the stops and really bust a gut to show how motivated you are and what skills and knowledge you have learnt on your course. I interviewed recently and was really impressed with some of the brilliant graduates. The ones we employed are excellent. The competition is fierce. There may be 5 posts but you want to make sure you are in the top 5 to get those posts. I wish you well, life is easier if you live closer??

x2boys · 14/04/2015 17:12

Not sure what you will be qualifying as but many students nurses I know are having to look far and wide for jobs ( this Is mental health) as there are just nojobs in the trust I used to work for.

ilovechristmas1 · 14/04/2015 17:12

so would you be prepared to private rent if you moved??

Lyndie · 14/04/2015 17:15

Would any of the jobs be a permanent salaried role or fixed term/temp contract?

Original poster
Studyingmummy · 14/04/2015 17:17

RandomMess The 'local' jobs I have applied for (and will apply for when they are advertised bloody hurry up NHS require a commute of between 30-90 mins. I really don't want to travel further and staying away from my family is not really an option, my DH relies on me for cooking, cleaning, shopping. He is able to supervise the DC ( primary age) but they fend for themselves a lot when I'm not there while he rests. My DPs are 5 minutes drive away so are available for emergencies. I will not be earning megabucks either to afford rent for myself plus the costs of travelling home regularly. I iamgine we will lose our HB too, though have not checked this out.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 14/04/2015 17:17

Why did you train for something knowing it would be hard to get a local job? I think that's the unreasonable part.

Original poster
Studyingmummy · 14/04/2015 17:23

All of the jobs I have seen have been permanent. I expect we would have to private rent which would be expensive as we need to accomodate DHs needs (he uses a wheelchair outside and will eventually need to use one indoors too). Don't know how easy it would be to get council housing elsewhere but that would be a much better option.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 14/04/2015 17:24

Have you looked into weekday room costs? I just wonder if it's worth it as a short term 6 months thing to get the experience whilst you carry on applying for more local positions. Give it a time limit.

Do everything you can to make things easier for your dh whilst you're away - frozen family meals, internet shops etc. A bit like the hard work of studying short term pain & expense to achieve the goal of a career.

Original poster
Studyingmummy · 14/04/2015 17:29

Possibly expat but the area I am qualifying in has a shortage of staff and is in demand. When I applied I was assured that jobs would be easy to come by. It is not a role which is specific to one area ( mainstream hospital role).

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 14/04/2015 17:31

It doesn't sound feasible for you to move but unless you get one of these local jobs at the first time of asking I imagine your future chances will decline. You also seem to be in quite fierce competition with other potential candidates - I'm with expat in wondering why you pursued this course in the first place.

ilovesooty · 14/04/2015 17:32

Cross post sorry. Why is the reality so different from the advice you received?

Staywithme · 14/04/2015 17:34

I think you have to take many things into consideration before moving. What services does your husband access in your area, regarding his health? Will he be able to get the treatment and care if you move? Is he able to physically cope with the move and can you get suitable housing? I would look at services in any area you might consider moving to, with your husband's future requirements being taken into consideration. Some are better than others.

It's easy for people to judge if they don't have to look after an ill or disabled partner, but you know best what changes you can cope with. If you feel that you can cope with a further journey, then by all means work further away. Good for you, trying to improve your families financial situation and good luck for the future.

morethanpotatoprints · 14/04/2015 17:34

YANBU

capsium · 14/04/2015 17:36

Could you get agency work?

chickenfuckingpox · 14/04/2015 17:37

you may have to move slightly to get closer to the role you require if you see what i mean? not too far from who you need around you but far enough so you can access a job and cut down your commute if your 30/90 minutes away how does that translate to an emergency situation? how would you cope in a crisis is even working going to be an option for you long term or are you just hoping and praying you can do this?

you might end up selling avon unless you have a big plan? (hoping for big plan here) Flowers