To leave my colleagues in the shit (NHS)?

[Makinitrain]

On Friday I had my fourth unsuccessful interview in a row in my current hospital. There always seems to be some internal or external candidate with more experience. I then have to return to my entry level admin role which gives me little extra experience to add to my CV.
After my interview on Friday, I was called in to say that if I wanted the experience then there was a higher band job coming up however:
1.) it would only be for 3 months.
2.) there would be no handover as the person leaves at the end of the week.
3.) there was no cover at present for the two wards I currently manage.

I feel torn as I don't want to leave the ward staff and other admin in the shit, as who is going to apply for a job in the NHS at this present time? Lots of people might be unemployed in the future but right now I think people would be reluctant to start work in a hospital, especially immediately.
I also think that this is the only chance I have to gain more experience. All the other admin in our place seem like they're staying out for a long time and they've just put restrictions on the amount of band 4/5's they can hire.
In the back of my mind I feel I deserve it as I'm still working whilst the majority of people I know are at home and I have done lots of stuff which is beyond my basic duties (driving around to pick up PPE, setting up Skype enabled laptops for patients to keep in touch with relatives.)
My worry is that I don't go for it and when the permanent job goes out to advert, I won't be in a better position to be successful than I am currently. Sorry if this wasn't a very juicy post!

Go for it. Loads of people would like an admin job with the nhs at the moment - jobs are somewhat scarce right now.

Go for it!

You are in an entry level admin positions, the concerns you’ve mentioned are not your responsibility

Are they? We currently have 19 vacancies in our trust admin bank.

Take the job! Don’t turn down an opportunity!

I think you have to go for it if you want the experience. They seem to be saying that you need it if you want to progress though stepping up without a handover will be a challenge.

Take it!

Can I just clarify, would you be doing the higher pay band job for 3 months AS WELL AS your current 2 ward jobs?
If just the higher paid job - go for it. It's your opportunity to make them see they can't do without you.
If all 3 jobs - no. It's setting you up to fail.

@Wingedharpy no, hopefully just the higher paid one but I would hope to give a good handover to whoever took over.

I understand your feelings but I think you really have to take the job - as it will only be for 3 months, what is the expectation after that? Will you return to your current position until the prospect of another promotion comes up?

Check what the situation will be regarding your current post - they might just draft someone in for 3 months to cover it, and then let you back once the higher grade temp position is finished - but you need to be sure that that is what they would do.

Go for it - no-one will ever repay you for loyalty. What happens at the end of 3 months? that would be the main deciding factor.

Go for it.

I know it’s your colleagues you care about more than the organisation itself, but I’ve regretted similar decisions. I remember once turning down a slightly better job as my boss begged me to stay, but they were quick to fire me when somebody had to go and I was slightly more costly to keep than the guy next to me.

Ask if you can be seconded? That way you will have a job to go back to if it doesn't work out

You'll have recent experience of a higher band position. That automatically puts you in a stronger position.

I'd go for it.

Do it. I understand your reticence but (and no offence meant at all) your colleagues would do and say the same, albeit with heavy hearts. You’ll still be playing your part in all this. Good luck.

You would be mad not to take this job. It is not your fault that they have no cover for you. They don't pay you enough money for that to be your concern.

Take it. They're giving you the opportunity to get more experience for a reason. This could be your chance. Don't let it go.

Mmm I don’t know if I would take it, but my reason would be because the new role doesn’t sound all that great (what’s your notice period? If it’s longer than a week then there’ll be a backlog of work with no handover, and there’s no guarantee of this role after 3 months. Would you have a job to return to?) rather than loyalty to your current area. I think better opportunities will come along.

What would happen after the 3 months?

By4

Go for it; handovers are overrated.

What happens after 3 months?

Go for it

Take the job. Take it.

You're stagnant at the moment and you have the opportunity to change that.
And what a talking point it is that you coped so well during this time, under pressure with no handover?
Great on your CV.

I know people applying for jobs in the NHS!
I'd go for it. Loyalty isn't rewarded in the workplace like it used to be. Better off doing what's best for you, the fact they aren't filling your position for the three months isn't your problem to worry about, you don't get paid enough for that!

Do what’s best for you (but think about what you would do for a job at the end of the three months).