To ask you to help me decide NHS or private?

[jobdilemma22]

NC for this as linked to my other posts it could be identifying.

Essentially I need help making a decision - to stay working for the NHS or to apply for a private job that I've seen advertised. Here's the overview of both:

Job A:

• NHS
• £47k salary
• FT hours (no option to work flexibly or reduce)
• unsupportive manager
• commute time 45-50 mins
• in a clinical field that I very much enjoy (despite messy office / NHS politics.
• childcare provider is on route to work so commute time includes DC drop off
• opportunities for progression unclear at moment
• training and development opportunities plentiful
• staff morale on the floor due to the havoc wreaked by Covid
• generally quite a depressing environment

Job B:

• private sector
• 65k FTE salary pro rata'd over 4 days (52k)
• PT hours (which is what I want)
• no idea about manager or team (yet), or opportunities for progression etc.
• clinical field is slightly outside of my area of interest / expertise but not a million miles away
• training and development supported according to job advert
• commute time only 20 mins but opposite direction childcare provider, meaning a 50 ish min commute in total to drop off DC and come back on myself to work.

Which job looks the most appealing on paper?

The way you have described both jobs makes it quite clear that you prefer job B and why wouldn't you? Ignore the childminder disadvantage, your child will be at school soon and you can look for alternative child care.

@sluj

Thanks for your reply. I suppose I'm hesitating because I'm unsure if leaving the NHS is a good career move ...

What’s the pension like in job B? NHS pension is a big perk.

How old are you? Have you looked at the pension with the private sector?
It'd be useful to know what you do and what the new role is, to understand if you're pigeonholing yourself.

You can always go back to the NHS later. A job just outside your main field can only broaden your skills/experience

I would take the private job but remember you will need to make sure you have a decent pension plan.

The DC at childminder thing..

Are they under school age? If so which direction will the school be?

The NHS currently pay approx 20% of your salary into your pension.

Go for the interview and see what you think after that. B sounds better on paper depending on pension provision

The pension and sick leave is much better in the nhs.

Is similar position but private may actually be less money and more commute but just not sure I can continue in NHS. I figure it will still be there if I want to go back. Have open life time ISA to compensate for pension loss which is not as good as it once was. You did forget NHS perk of 20%off at nandos though lol

What is the pension and sick leave in the private sector?

You are clearly leaning towards the private sector, which is understandable. The NHS does need to make it's pay more competitive, and treat it's employees better, in order to retain staff.

Are you planning any more maternity leaves op? NHS maternity scheme is quite good

I'd go job b. Works out better overall, and since you already have an unsupportive manager, what difference will another one make if that's what you get?

You'll probably be less stressed in the new job too.

You need to consider holiday entitlement, sickness pay and more importantly, pensions into it to compare like for like.

Have you factored in final salary pension?

If you leave the nhs can you go back in at your level ?

You’re really not selling the NHS job. I would go for B too.

I was wondering about pensions too - NHS pensions really are good.

I'd go for B. Your dc will at some stage be moving to school so that commute won't be permanent. I couldn't work somewhere where morale was so low for the sake of a better pension. I wouldn't want to work FT either.

The advantage of staying with NHS is the pension. Have you factored in the cost of pensions contributions into both the salaries?

Though the pension thing is important, your well-being is also important too. No point in spending years miserable for more money later.
You can always go back to the NHS if things don’t work out.