Quitting first qualified job in NHS after a month…

[IntrovertedGal]

I got my first qualified job as a generic mental health practitioner after uni, I was so excited but it is a 36 mile drive there and back… I thought I really could manage it but it is DRAINING me, it’s in mental health so it can be extra tiring and it turns out the NHS don’t pay travel expenses anymore. I literally was chucked in the deep end and left to it tbh 😞 I’m actually being paid band 3 till my registration is complete then moved to band 5, however I am doing everything a band 5 would be doing 😣

I have also just now been offered a job that’s so close to home, with a better team of people who I get on with and it’s doing more therapy stuff (which is what I actually trained in rather than doing generic practitioner!!) same nhs trust, better job and closer to home…

I just feel bad leaving so early 😟 but that’s life innit.. has anyone else left a job, in the NHS or elsewhere earlier than you thought? Feeling anxious about what everyone will think when I hand in notice, I think as I’m still waiting for registration as a band 3. It’s a months notice? I plan on handing it in once I’ve signed on the new house… AIBU?

No you’re not, you need to do what’s best for you.

YANBU. Just apologise and tell them you have a better opportunity. If it’s the same trust it’s possible you can negotiate on your notice period.

Thank you, I need to keep reminding myself of this instead of people pleasing ❤️

Thank you! Yes it is 😊 how does that work? I never knew you could do that! X

That's one big advantage of working in the NHS, the simplicity of moving between roles. You should absolutely take the one which is better suited to you.

I think finding the commute too much is good reason. If you’re not enjoying it now you’ll really not enjoy it in January.

People do this all the time. I think it's preferable to say so earlier rather than after 6 month's training. If it's not the right fit, that's fine.

I genuinely cannot believe you thought you thought the NHS would pay your expenses!
Standard to be paid as a band 3 until your PIN comes in, you cannot be paid as a B5 RN whilst not on the Register.
That aside, yes move, do what is right for you x

Don't burn bridges, but explain that you hadn't realised how difficult you would find the commute, and you've had an offer closer to home.

And you should still be paid travel for any travel that is additional to home / main base / home.

Yanbu at all, go for it.

I’m an RMN, it s a tough field of work and you have to do what is best for you. I don’t think anyone would blame you, 36 miles is a long commute and you’ve had a better offer.

What is a Generic Mental Health Practitioner by the way and how does it differ from Mental health nursing? I’ve not heard of it before and I’m curious.

They won't pay expenses for your commute to work but they absolutely should pay any mileage for community visits. I suppose your travel to placement might have been covered as a student, perhaps you thought that was normal? Well done on finding a better role, you should absolutely move. Just be honest and be positive about them.

Yeah that’s what I’m thinking 😅😹 in hindsight I wished I’d just waited for the right role to come up but I just jumped straight into it lol

I had a very similar experience. Qualified then got my first job a 40 mile drive away. It was really stressful and the drive made it worse. I also got paid the unqualified rate until my registration came through. 3 months later my dream job came available (more money and 1.5mile drive from home) I felt soooo bad handing in my notice but once I left I never looked back and I've been with my new employer for nearly 5 years. Don't feel bad, there might be someone else out there who's dying to have your post! 😃 good luck 🤞

I know I need to take my rose tinted glasses off 😂😂 I was told in my training by my mentor that they get a travel allowance, however of course that is scrapped now 😂

Someone joined our team (different sort of work) recently and then left after a few weeks because she’d found her ‘dream job’. Did it drop us in it? Yes, a bit. Should she have stayed? Absolutely not if she had a better offer. They’ll sort it out. You sort you out!

You will be backdated B3 to B5 but never do the NHS pay travel. I am confused though what is your role? Not heard of that at a band 5. How do you sit in the team?

How lovely to hear someone with such a similar experience to mine right now! 💝 🙏🙌 my new job will also be 1.5 miles away lol! Yeah I think there is someone else after my role tbh! Thanks a lot!!

Just blame the commute. Its always hard when you first qualify.

I did this, quit my first band 5 job after 2 or 3 weeks, I knew it was a bad fit! That was over 15 years ago and I’ve never looked back…was totally the right thing to do.

Mental health practitioner is a role like a care coordinator ☺️

Well it is quick to give up but you have a good reason the travelling.

If you are working in mh it is very draining even with supervision (hit and miss depending on team/trust) and team support it’s the nature of the work

😊🙏☺️💕🙌

I am so glad to hear it! X x

Pish just leave, the new job sounds much better. We have new graduates leaving for different jobs all the time. No need to feel guilty,.

Don't feel bad. Businesses, including the NHS, wouldn't think twice about letting you go if they had to. By working your notice, you're doing the only thing you need to do to fulfil your side of your contract.