AIBU to leave the NHS for the private sector?

[FlorenceNightshade]

I’m a nurse with years of acute experience but feeling totally fed up with the NHS and all the stress that comes with working for it.

I’ve an interview for a promoted post in the private sector (care home) this week. AIBU to go for it? Yes the NHS is a shit show just now but it’s also so precious and I’ve always been proud to work there.

Any fellow nurses made the change and have any insight?

@vivainsomnia thank you for that I didn’t know that we kept certain benefits. Can I ask is leaving the nhs something you’ve done?

I totally understand and sympathise OP. I left the wards a year after qualifying as i always knew primary care was my thing. I got a band 5 job in a GUM/HIV clinic and found my niche, I love it. Am now a Band 7 (london pay, bottom of band so £45k at present) and have just passed my Prescribing course, which is very valuable to have. I haven’t worked a weekend or night in many years, I am full time but compressed hours Tue-Fri so a 3 day weekend every week. It’s not all roses, it’s very busy, stressful and full of politics, the 4 long days are exhausting and full on - I am considering private sector too as they will pay ££ for a nurse prescriber. But if you don’t mind the idea of a day ranging from examining a penile discharge to breaking the news to someone that they are HIV positive - GU/HIV is very rewarding and interesting, and rarely involves weekends/nights!

[quote FlorenceNightshade]@FedUpAtHomeTroels What an awful loss I’m so sorry. Not having clear guidance must have made everything so much harder. If you don’t mind me asking did you notice a huge difference in your pay when you switched?[/quote]
Yes I did notice a pay difference. I've been a nurse since 1982. 30 years abroad earning well and being treated well. Back to UK to be treated like a newly qualified nurse and bottom band 5 with no wiggle room, I ended up in the care home being paid mid band 6 and no night shifts. So much nicer, lovely staff nice managers. People who really care about their residents and make each day the best we can for them. Pension is one where the company pay into monthly almost as much as I pay in. I'm happy.

@HarrysChild good for you! I’ve never felt academic enough to pursue roles like that but I have so much respect for those that do!

@FedUpAtHomeTroels that sounds like my dream! Just want a nice place where people genuinely care and where I can feel I make a difference

@FlorenceNightshade absolutely!! Where as I've found myself with X amount of staff because that's what was budgeted. Working on a MH unit things change. Had a person in crisis and needed 1:1 support and I was not permitted to get extra staff. Its bonkers and very demoralising!

@purplepoppet92 definitely food for thought there thank you

Can I ask is leaving the nhs something you’ve done?
Not me but my best friend. She moved to a children residential home. The job was ok and a nice change, but she experienced the same frustrations with management. She had to start at the bottom benefit wise and at the time experienced some health issues. It made her realise how she took being able to go off sick without worrying for granted, mainly because she was really off sick and never for more than a couple of days.

It was also the year the NHS celebrated its 70th anniversary and she really missed that feeling of being part of the 'family', something she'd never expected to feel. She applied to be a school nurse back with the NHS and loves it.

@vivainsomnia thank you the loss of benefits and feeling of security seems to be a common issue. I love the nhs and am proud to wear my uniform and do my bit but it feels relentless just now

Ugh interview is later today. Really hoping I come out of it feeling less conflicted

Hope interview went well!

@Laaaaa it did thank you. Home seems nice but I couldn’t pin them down on salary details! If I get an offer I’d need to know all that before I could accept.

@florencenightshade.
I too faced this dilemma a couple of years ago. I left my job to work as a Deputy Manager in a nursing home. It was run by a big national organisation and I was really excited about making a difference and working where I would have time to care.
It was the worst 6 months of my life. The money was more than my band 6 however the occasional on call turned into every other weekend.( for no extra pay) I was expected to cover any nursing shortages at the drop of the hat. The holiday was non existent and they moved me to another home after only 3 months.
I returned to the NHS and it still has the same frustrations but the grass wasnt greener for me. It's a tough call and you have to do what feels right. Just ensure that you agree terms and conditions.
One thing is that if you leave the NHS there will be jobs to return too.
Good luck with whatever you decide

@glitterwobbles thank you for sharing that’s exactly the sort of thing I’m worried about! They did say I’d be called to cover but that if I couldn’t it was no big deal and it’s ok to say no. The ratio of carer to patient seemed quite good and there are always two nurses plus usually a manager floating. If I’m offered it I’ll need to lock down holidays, salary and I’m really hoping for regular hours on set days too.

How was the interview? What did they ask? I have one on Monday 😱

Have you thought about working in a hospice? Not NHS but generally have equal conditions and most allow you to transfer your NHS pension. Staffing levels are normally a lot better and you have time to give quality care.

I missed the NHS and went back. Biggest thing for me was the lack of motivation and expertise from my colleagues. Having worked in a very up to date university hospital to a small community home the difference was massive, some nurses were kind but shit, others burnt out and grossly incompetent. Can't speak for all private settings but I felt I wasn't supported to be the best nurse I could be and I became really frustrated by that. Just personal experience from one job though, others might be better!

@Laaaaa the interview was so strange as I’m used to the nhs style! The manager literally had a four page form of questions that she read from. Stuff like what do you know about the company, tell me about a time you managed a conflict, tell me about a time you gave bad news, how do you work with stakeholders, how do you manage budgets, what are your goals for future etc.
What kind of role are you up for? Good luck!

@pinguwings where I live the only hospices are nhs palliative care units. Would definitely be rewarding but not sure I have the emotional strength for that kind of role just now

@AliceS1994 it’s interesting you say that because I got the impression they are looking for “fresh blood”. One of the reasons I’m looking to leave nhs is a lack of training and development opportunities and they were really keen to describe what they have to offer. Definitely don’t want to stagnate