To ask you to find me a new career...

[Putmedownforanap]

This is semi not at all light-hearted... I am currently a paediatric HCP, I have 2 degrees, the second is also my professional qualification, the first is in English. I am so tired and stressed and dispirited by my role, I don't feel like I'm really helping anyone/affecting change, I work hundreds of unpaid hours and always feel distracted and grumpy at home. I need a change. A big one. I am 40 and the idea of a big loss of salary scares me, but I can take it on the chin. I am used to having a lot of autonomy and have a managerial role. I like being practical and creative and would love a job I leave at my front door, but that would still challenge me. I think I would like to avoid any kind of caring role atm as I feel so jaded. Any ideas? I am totally up for any training but have NO spare cash...

Could you go into occupational health? Focus more on businesses?

Ooh thanks for replying tartan I don't think my specialism would be offered by Occupational Health sadly, and certainly not for children. I'm dreaming of doing something completely new that involved a lot less frowning at a computer and gives me a real sense of achievement

Have a look at the icould website- do the quiz and see what ideas that gives you as a starter.

I worked for the fire service taking the emergency calls. Great pay, hours, holidays and no take home work. I'm now a firefighter, different job but the same perks. I work 7 X 4 on 4 off then have 18 days holiday. There's lots of time to focus on yourself x

What band are you? If I knew your salary range. I could maybe make a suggestion.

hannah I'm definitely not brave or fit enough to be a firefighter, but taking the calls sounds like something that could fit the bill, thank you.

banana I don't actually work for the NHS, I moved to a small independent to see if that would be any better (it's actually worse). My salary range is around the top of Band 7, but given that I'm only supposed to be part-time and seem to regularly work 40+ hours I dread to think what my hourly rate would be! I'd be happy to take a pay cut for some work/life balance and a feeling of fulfilment...

Medical writing, medical affairs, or medical science liaison for pharma companies. You could still use your expertise, and roles vary from working from home all the time to attending medical conferences every other weekend. And roles can be creative or more publications focussed

health visitor - too similar to what you do now?

I tried the quiz sandwich thank you, apparently I'm a dolphin, not sure what that means job wise though!

Yeah lljkk too similar I think and also a whole new degree, which I definitely couldn't afford... It's so hard to find something that is both challenging and not completely overwhelming . Forever I'd love to write, but I'm not sure I'd have the discipline. I'll look it though, thank you.

Dolphins- communication/ people / creative type roles.
Anything in training? Anything in the nhs training type roles?

I tried that MyersBrigg test & result didn't seem to suit me I really struggled with many of the questions, though. neither answer seemed right.

It's hard to imagine a new role for you that is very different yet also equally true to your abilities but won't mean some extra training.

HMRC graduate scheme? I left law to do this and it's great. Challenging, interesting, varied, flexible hours, great work life balance. Have a look at the TSP programme.

Actually sandwich I had thought of training, I do a bit in my current role and really enjoy it... I know lljkk probably an impossible ask! I love the idea of something like retail (I worked in a bookshop in my student days) and it's not even really that I mind about the salary or status or anything like that (though my mortgage company might have something to say) I just think I'd get bored eventually and I've worked so bloody hard to get where I am...

Thanks emsyj would I have to be good at maths...?

Contact the National Careers Service, you can arrange a chat with a careers advisor and get some guidance. You will have so many transferable skills to offer!

No, there are maths tests as part of the selection process but I only did GCSE and it was fine. It's more about understanding large amounts of data than pure maths.