To be seriously considering going into nursing?

[grrrri]

I have a degree in biology and currently work in Pharma and I hate it. I never wanted an office job, I just kind of accidentally ended up here and and it feels like a poor cultural fit. I'm quiet, hardworking and prefer to just get on with things rather than have endless presentations and meetings. I do, however, love working in a team, and I most enjoy my job when I feel like I'm working together with colleagues and able to help them out.

I'm 30, and miserable in my job. Ever since I was a teenager I've had the idea of being a doctor or nurse. I worked in the NHS before in the labs as a new graduate and even though it was long, 12 hour night shifts for poor pay it was probably the happiest I've been in any job. I don't think I want to be in labs though. I was in hospital recently and I can't explain it but I just felt like I belonged there.

I don't really care about a high salary, or prestige. I just want something that helps others and uses my interest and knowledge of biology. The only thing that puts me off is I can be a bit squeamish at first, but I know once I'm looking at things with a medical perspective I think I'll be ok.

You'll get loads of people telling you not to do it, that is awful etc etc

And it is. But it's worth it.

You'll never know unless you try it.

Do you have the finances to be a student for 3 years?

Have you considered biomedical science? Might be more fitting. Hands on, work in teams but without direct patient contact

Definitely research more about it. I'm sure the NHS would bite your hand off to have someone as interested. I think you do need to prepare yourself for the drop in pay though (if there is one). I used to earn good money as a lawyer. Now I work as a TA and it's hard to look at my bank statements every month.

Oh if you're actually serious I would suggest trying to join the NHS nurse bank as a nursing assistant

That will give you an idea of what it's actually like

This is really good advice. Join your local hospital on a temp basis and see how you get on. It will also look good on a nursing application.

Have you looked at physician associate apprentice roles? Might be a way to train with costa covered into a medical role?

I am currently in my first year of an adult nursing degree at the grand old age of 33... and despite the state of the nhs at the moment, the intense workload of uni work/assessments/practical skills and then working placements and juggling a family with 2 kids under 3yrs - I am absolutely loving it and absolutely made the right decision to retrain as a nurse.

I do agree with joining the bank to try some shifts as a nursing assistant/healthcare assistant but think in general if nursing is calling to you and you can afford to retrain and be a student for the next few years, then why not.

The only way you'll know is by trying... and there is certainly an enormous need for able and willing people who actively want to provide care.

Ive been in the NHS for just shy of 40 years and have had many ups and downs. i have never seen the NHS as bad as it is now its really depressing.
But this was written and read out by Professor Rupert Pearse ITU consultant Royal London Hospital radio 4 during the height of covid, I couldn't have summed it up better.
Definitely get work as a HCSW ideally a permanent post to be absoltely sure its what you want to do its not for everyone.

I love being a nurse and wouldn't change it for the world - regardless of everything going on at work that makes it stressful

I'm a nurse , yes it's hard but so are a lot of jobs.
There are so many different roles.

I’ve been a nurse for over 30 years and still love it. I work 9-5 Mon- Fri in community.
A lot of the difficulties are location specific, NHS Scotland is in a much better state than England. Still lots of vacate posts but despite what lots of people will tell you it is not all, in my opinion in crisis.
people have a very unrealistic expectation of services available and waiting times.
A lot of the difficulties like A&E waiting times are a social care/social work problem not NHS And if you factor in the people attending A&E for non emergency/ accidents because they can’t be seen by their GP holds he queue up even further.
Go for it op so many opportunities, major issue right now for me is the constant cancelling of my clinics because of the bloody teachers strikes. This week alone I have to cancel 12 patients who will now have to wait another 4 weeks to be seen.

no harm in giving it a try if that is what you want to do.

I have a relative who's currently training to be a nurse associate and then will go on to train to be a nurse. She couldn't afford to do 3 years as a student nurse so worked for one year as a support worker to see if she enjoyed it at band 2, now training for 2 years receiving a band 3 and will get band once qualified. She's very happy that she's doing it. Definitely go for it. I'm from a family of nurses and most love it even when it's stressful. My advice look at all the roots see what's best for you.

With your experience and background you could also look into clinical perfusion science www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/healthcare-science/roles-healthcare-science/physiological-sciences/clinical-perfusion-science

It's a clinical job with direct patient contact and team working is very much part of the skill set. High level of responsibility but pay reflects that. Would recommend.

Nursing is a brilliant career, loads of opportunities, including working anywhere else in the world (subject to foreign nursing boards’ procedures). There’s something for everyone, blood and gore are not guaranteed, and promotion prospects are good. It’s shit working for the NHS atm, but the Tories won’t be in power for much longer, things will improve. Do it! But the training is arduous. Down here in the south-west students have to work in clinical placements from Truro up to Bournemouth, it’s a monumental feat of endurance for some of them.

Have a look at nhs careers as you may be better suited to one of the many other roles in the nhs (many of which are payed at higher bands than recently qualified nurses)

Look at allied health professional AND clinical science roles. I see a PP mentioned clinical perfusion science... there are a whole range of clinical science roles that involve lots of direct patient care in the NHS. Most people are not aware of this so don't consider these at career options. - look at the NHS STP training routes to get an idea of the range of jobs. With a science degree and experience in pharma- you may be a good fit for some of these.

Am a nurse and I love it. Also trained in my 30s. There's a variety of jobs you can do so it's not boring. You get bored here you get another job there if you know what I mean. I also work with the agency so that's very good money . I have never looked back. It's hard work yes both when studying and practicing but it's worth it. Especially if you enjoy working in a team and meeting people. Definitely join nhs professionals as a healthcare assistant first.