To quit my job

[mumum1]

Hi,

Hoping someone can help please.

I currently work as a health care practitioner and have been working for about 10 years. My degree is specific for the job I do and I have never worked as anything else.

My role is very different from what I expected when I first started out 10 years ago and unfortunately there's not much progression. I'm constantly worrying about making a mistake and is causing a lot of anxiety. My hours mean I'm routinely missing class assemblies etc and I'm relying on wonderful PILs to pick up the slack.

I feel I can't carry on and need to make a change but I just don't know if I would be good at anything else and I don't know where to even start.

How does an adult go about getting careers advise? Would it be unreasonable to hand in my resignation without having a plan? I am in a very good position that I have savings which would last for a good while and my partner is working.

Thank you

Could you take a part time job at a different trust, or in a different area such as in the community?

I've asked for part time hours but have been declined as they won't have sufficient cover

Did you request this in writing and did they respond in writing?

Employers often say no...but there are specific reasons in law to decline a request, which they need to evidence.

Are you in the public or private sector?

I work in the private sector.

Just feel I need a complete change but realise the grass is not always greener.

Ideally I would like a job working for myself and not people facing.

Every time my manager asks to speak to me I start to worry it's because I've done something wrong or their is a complaint against me.

@SandyY2K

I didn't request it in writing. Just asked my manager. She's actually really lovely and I know if she could help she would

Build Your Own Rainbow is a book I’ve used in the past as a less US and more U.K. alternative to What Color Is Your Parachute. This was a long time ago though.

I’ve made a career change once (see above) and now mid 40s and pretty unhappy (again). So sympathy if not a magic wand.

I’m actually in a similar situation. I have an idea of something I’d like to do and have applied for a few jobs in that industry (less well paid that what I currently do and will need to train to get back up to similar salary), but more sociable hours and other perks.
I’ve been offered a few interviews and I handed my notice in yesterday. I’ve basically backed myself to get a job in the 10 week notice period and if not it’s not the end of the world, we are only a little bit worse off at the end of the month after paying nursery fees.
I feel liberated! I have thought about it for about 3 months though and didn’t hand my notice in until after I had had some interviews lined up.

I was in exactly the same position as you Op and managed to get another job in a totally different field, the stress was even worse with the added stress of not being confident in what I was doing. I left that job after 6 months and started another job where I lasted 4 days ! I now start yet another job soon and wish I had stayed where I was.

I don’t want to put you off though and wish you luck.x

You sound like you might overly worry? Do you get anxious about your performance, making a mistake? Might you be a bit of a perfectionist? I ask because although healthcare might seem like it has excessive consequences for mistakes, you can worry about performance in any role. Might addressing the worry help?

Will definitely need at least an idea of what else I could do before I leave.

Has nothing to do with what I am currently doing but I think I would enjoy floristry/decorating.

Will research more and also will buy the book mentioned

@hettie

I was never like this.

I think because recently a few colleagues have had complaints against them which unfortunately are quite serious and it's becoming more common for people to complain.

Every complaint rightly so is taken seriously but the investigation is so stressful.

I had a complaint that I hadn't followed through on what I said I would do. Without giving too much away, I had to go through hoops to prove I had done everything correctly and still apologise to the person that they felt that way.

Mmme there is quite a punitive culture in many healthcare settings. However, not all trusts are the same some have a more compassionate leadership style. It doesn't sound like your workplace makes you feel safe and supported, which does leave people on edge. Can you think straight whilst being in this environment? If not is the suggestion of a sabbatical a possibility?

If you are a graduate, many universities offer ongoing career advice, I believe.

I went to a life coach which was life changing. Beware though, anyone can call themselves a life coach so do homework if you go down that route. She helped me to think about what was important in my life, how to get balance, we looked at my skills and how else they can be used.

I’ve changed career and I don’t regret it at all although I will need to start earning more soon. Happy to be a sounding board if it helps.

You need to change how you view your skill set and separate the skills from your specific role
eg
If you have to fill in detailed records on a computer re a patient
The skills might be
Computer literate
Data Entry
Accuracy
Attention to detail
Confidentiality and data handling
Ability to understand technical information

etc

This gives you a set of transferable skills that are not specific to your role.

To give you a real life example I am a financial services lawyer. I have been interviewed for a voluntary role in the education sector because they need people who can assimilate complex information quickly, interpret rules and make appropriate decisions accurately. I expect that other interviewees will come from very different backgrounds but we will have transferable skills that are relevant.

I just have! I have been in the Probation Service (& CRC), for 18 years. It tuned to shit so I've got a job working for a charity. I've had to take a huge pay cut for it but at least I'm out and doing something completely different!

I handed my notice in yesterday, and now I'm terrified!

Suspected you were fellow optom from your title, I completely get how your feeling, think lots of us feel the same, I went through a phase of wanting to quit completely
My advice would be to get out of the big multiples and try locuming for independent practices which are usually much more pleasant to work in, also doing a day or so in the hospital, it's less pay but I've found it much more rewarding and less stressful, you feel more part of a team,
Good luck

Thanks for everyone's replies. Really helped clear my head.
Definitely know I'm not in the right field anymore. Will look at perhaps getting some professional help to figure out exactly what I want to do.

Whatever it is I think I would prefer working for myself. Just trying to figure if that's viable