Aibu to quit my NHS job after 3 days

[Mrschips07]

Started a new job in an NHS hospital. Role sounded similar to what I've done before (admin) although its more hours than I wanted (I have a 2yo, so would prefer less $ spent on nursery) money is fine - only band 2 though.

I absolutely hate it - Everyone is overworked, no one is happy in their work, nothing works properly, managers don't listen and I feel I've just been feeling my way in the dark for 3 days with no proper training (A grumpy woman showed me roughly what to do but sighs every time I ask a question or for any kind of help) its actually a very complicated role for very little money and so far, my stress level is through the roof.

Every day I have wanted to just walk out on my lunch break and I have cried every night after work. I'm not sleeping because I'm stressed and anxious about what I've gotten myself into.

aibu to want to quit? I want a job but NOT this.

I'd quit right away and try to find work somewhere other than the NHS.

I did exactly the same. Mine was an HCA post. Woman I was shadowing really couldn't be bothered to give me any info and attitude of other staff in the team was so negative. I didn't go back on day 3, emailed line manager and posted uniform back. Never put in on my CV and went back to old post, which thankfully I stayed on bank, so no gap in employment. Just go with your gut instinct, I know I did the right thing.

How badly do you need the job / money? If you don't particularly need it walk out and don't look back.

I wouldn’t waste any more of your precious time on them if they can’t be arsed to train you right, make sure you give feedback to the higher ups after you’ve gone though.

I’ve stuck it out in a a similar position and believe me, the attitude towards me in the first few days was only a foretaste of what was to come, I ended up going off through stress and transferring departments in the end - and by then I knew the job inside out, but it was the culture and negativity that got to me in the end.

Echoing everyone else. If you don’t need the money then quit. When a job reduces you to tears, it’s not the right job for you. Leave. It doesn’t sound like you will get any training or support.
You can say what you need to say and walk away.
Good luck and when it is the right job you will know.

@allthegoodusernameshavegone

The nhs pay bands are crazy. Nhs admin staff are treated appallingly by the trusts and medical staff. Admin managers are under so much pressure and given none of the respect of the medical Teams. Covid really showed us admin staff how little we were respected by everyone.

That’s appalling. I’m really sorry.

Are you a Ward Clerk? If so you answer to the Ward Manager who will be a Band 7. Band 4’s are not management.

In any case, no, if you wanted an easy job in the NHS you won’t get one. There aren’t any. Not unless you’re super highly trained anyway. A receptionist at a private company would earn the same & have far less responsibility on their shoulders. It’s ludicrous really.

I was a ward clerk for 17 years. That role carries so much responsibility for the crap pay!

Ordinarily, I’d say just stick it out a bit..,.but if it really is exactly as you describe I’d run!

I walked out of a job after three days. I knew it wasn't for me probably after the first day. Trust your instincts, I'd just not go back

@MsWonderful

Are you a ward clerk? They do absolutely LOADS and seem to have more responsibility added to their role daily, or at least ours does, and the money is shit, basically 😬

That is what l thought straight away

No job should make you feel like that, I would leave asap

leave!
I work.for a dreadful nhs hospital and if I could get out would

Band 4s manage admin staff and secretaries in our local Trust. Dh is a Consultant and his secretary manages a team of 8. She is a band 4, the test are 3s and 2s.
The job matching system is a farce. They tried to make me accept a band 5 for a band 7 job - I laughed in their faces.

A lot of NHS hospitals are truly dire places to work. The doctors are on decent money and they tend to hate it too. Everyone is treated badly.

I think there are some hospitals that are ok but they are in the minority.

@MsWonderful you are so right. Our ward Clark is the Oracle. She needs a clone and should never be allowed to have time off ever!! The place goes to pot when she's off! Us nurses are completely replaceable, she's not! She should be in a band 8 wage!

It's not ward clerk, no but similar. Don't want to completely out myself, just in case.

Those saying speak to manager... There isn't one apparently! One of the doctors hired me and the bank staff / back admin are training me 😩

OP I forgot to say I wouldn’t blame you for walking out now because it’s unlikely to get any better. Or you could clock up 6 or 12 months experience and then get another job. It tends to be much nicer in the private hospitals.

I changed jobs from being a PA in a lawyers for 30 years to NHS admin six months ago, band 3. I honestly thought it would be an easier job with less responsibility. How wrong was I! I have been really surprised at how much is expected of me for the money. I can't see me ever getting a band 4 job. I spent the first three months thinking I'd made a massive mistake and seriously overwhelmed by the amount I had to learn, several times in tears dreading going in.

However I've now got the hang of things and I'm relatively happy. Don't get me wrong I don't love it but I don't hate it either but if I'd known exactly what I was getting myself into I'd have not taken the job I don't think.

I'm losing my ability to do my very best. The life is being sucked out of me, by the NHS.
Saw a hundred miracles today, a book about our marvellous institution. It was called something like that. Shop was closed so I couldn't buy a copy to burn...

I am currently inducting my third colleague in less than 12 months. They come, they look shell shocked, and then increasingly miserable, and leave within 3-4 months. We are a small supportive team who do our best to help, but our management is terrible, the requirements complex, and the hours long. It didn’t use to be like this - the NHS of 30 years ago was a much nicer animal.

Your description sounds just like my friends job. No training ,poor pay and unsympathetic colleagues . Stressful work and no time to do it .Missing managers who apparently had unreachable standards.
She also walked out. Fed back and ended up being transferred (dont know the details - but shes still there several years later) to another department that wasnt so badly run. Same hospital too.

Not being funny,but what did you think the current NHS work climate is?
Remember when you stood and clapped? These are the same people
few month on. More tired
Grumpy?stressed more like and ,exasperated at the new admin who’s got a face like a smacked arse

If you’re unhappy Just leave.

I left a job after one day. Working for a big banks shipping department. It was very much a lads culture, I had just had a baby. The only female in the office was clearly being sexually harassed by all of them.

I went home phoned the HR Department and said sorry it’s not for me. Didn’t look back.

How bloody awful. All that demanding work for low pay when you compare it to admin jobs in universities. Huge disparity.