Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Job options for ex-doctors?

149 replies

Gottogetaplan · 04/07/2023 01:23

Have name changed to post. I have resigned as a doctor and would welcome any ideas for a middle aged ex-doctor that is a few years from retirement.

OP posts:
Glitterstars · 04/07/2023 08:54

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

What an odd comment. You don’t know their circumstances or what type of doctor they are. They haven’t said they are a GP and GP’s were still seeing people if needed throughout covid. They could have been a doctor in the hospitals . Weirdo

whynottie · 04/07/2023 08:56

lots of potential options OP. Hope you take a big long holiday and can get into doing something interesting with your knowledge.

Plunkplink · 04/07/2023 08:59

I know you said you’d had enough, but what about doing nothing for six months for a complete break and then locum one day a week

Chocolateship · 04/07/2023 08:59

Did you actually go in during Covid? Most doctors didn't.

Oh fuck off.

SamanthaCaine · 04/07/2023 09:01

Glitterstars · 04/07/2023 08:54

What an odd comment. You don’t know their circumstances or what type of doctor they are. They haven’t said they are a GP and GP’s were still seeing people if needed throughout covid. They could have been a doctor in the hospitals . Weirdo

Show quote history

To be fair the OP sounds like detail is not their forte so should probably just retire. I mean, 'Dr' is a pretty broad brush with a myriad of different skill sets. We may as well put a finger in the air.

Middle aged but near retirement?

theDudesmummy · 04/07/2023 09:03

What's wrong with "middle aged and near retirement"?

AnnaMagnani · 04/07/2023 09:06

Would also second the idea of staff grade in palliative care.

These jobs are hard to recruit for so hospices struggle to fill their out of hours rota - which is not onerous work. It's rewarding work, you go home on time and feel appreciated.

menope · 04/07/2023 09:07

Don't give that poster the satisfaction of replying, you're giving them exactly what they want.

SoWhatEh · 04/07/2023 09:08

Pharma sales, pharma R&D.

Medical writing - there are always LOADS of jobs because you do need specialist knowledge. You might start on a low salary but if you are any good you'd increase it quickly.

You could work PT as a biology and chemistry tutor, 1-2-1 help with exam prep for GCSEs and A levels. Slightly unsociable hours but reasonable pay and plenty of free time during the day.

AgathaSpencerGregson · 04/07/2023 09:09

AnnaMagnani · 04/07/2023 09:06

Would also second the idea of staff grade in palliative care.

These jobs are hard to recruit for so hospices struggle to fill their out of hours rota - which is not onerous work. It's rewarding work, you go home on time and feel appreciated.

My aunt did this for many years on a part time basis and found it immensely fulfilling.
I hope you find something that suits OP. Burn out is awful.

NowYouSee · 04/07/2023 09:10

What sort of doctor are you? That might make quite a difference.

FarmGirl78 · 04/07/2023 09:12

999 dispatcher? 111 call handler?

CC4712 · 04/07/2023 09:15

I'm assuming when you say ex- doctor, then you no longer have GMC membership? Without know any details of what type of Dr and what specialty you were in:

  • medical rep
  • Teach CPR. A friend teaches parents and grandparents baby CPR/chocking/1st aid
  • Proof reading science/medical/nursing type uni work
  • Tutoring
  • 1st aid support at festivals, stadiums, movie sets
Saschka · 04/07/2023 09:16

RoyKentFanclub · 04/07/2023 05:47

I say this gently (and prepared for a pile on) but have you considered the fact that unless you take a massive pay cut, most jobs are hard work and stressful?

Different kind of stress though, and OP may deal better with some pressures than others.

DH has a high paid job, and the things he finds stressful in his work and the things I find stressful are completely different. Not “less stressful”, just totally different.

At the extreme end, I know Army doctors who absolutely loved being deployed (would be my absolute worst nightmare) but who find working within inept NHS management structures highly stressful.

KnackeredAF · 04/07/2023 09:17

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

What a disgusting comment.

JustanothermagicMonday1 · 04/07/2023 09:18

Pharma pays well and can be flexible working especially in drug sales.

SamanthaCaine · 04/07/2023 09:18

Stress is stress. The human body is incapable of differentiating between the stress of being hunted by a lion or having to do your job under pressure.

How we as individuals, deal with stress is what matters.

UnmentionedElephantDildo · 04/07/2023 09:19

Plunkplink · 04/07/2023 08:54

Cruise ship Doctor, still medicine but not so high pressures

Depends on previous specialty

DarkWingDuck · 04/07/2023 09:23

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

This is a very strange comment. What do you mean most doctors didn’t go in during covid? Of course they did. What do you mean by saying the OP isn’t burnt out but has made mistakes. A get strange or quite rude comment.

larkstar · 04/07/2023 09:28

Both my kids are taking career breaks from front line hospital medicine after only 3 and and 6 years! Both like to travel and are considering moves abroad to work. Do you feel up to considering at that? Locum work that you pick and choose - would you want to manage doing that?

SayHi · 04/07/2023 09:31

theDudesmummy · 04/07/2023 09:03

What's wrong with "middle aged and near retirement"?

Some employers are less likely to hire someone if they think they’re going to leave soon.

I was always taught to give a 5 year plan in an interview to show that I would be planning to stay in that company for at least 5 years (especially if you are a women of child bearing age).

SayHi · 04/07/2023 09:35

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

I’d love to know what job you do 🤣

I’m a teacher and before covid I loved it and had plans to stay and move up the ladder.

I have handed my notice in for the end of this academic year though as I’m completely burnt out and heading for a MH crisis.

I’m not a bad teacher and I’ve done nothing wrong.
I’m just burnt out over covid and I know I’m not the only one.

If teachers are feeling like this then doctors, nurses and health care assistants will definitely be feeling like this.

LadyDanburysHat · 04/07/2023 09:36

Pharmaceutical Industry. We always struggled to hire medics in our Pharmacovigilance department. Most would only work on a consultancy basis. Cost a fortune. Big Pharma is well paid and 9-5.

Gytgyt · 04/07/2023 09:42

RoyKentFanclub · 04/07/2023 05:47

I say this gently (and prepared for a pile on) but have you considered the fact that unless you take a massive pay cut, most jobs are hard work and stressful?

They are but the difference is OPs won't be dealing with life and death l, people potentially sueing and forming major complaints.

Even professionals are allowed to change. If that means taking a major pay cut so be it. Health is wealth and it's only to the pension kicks in OP said.

Appleblossompetal · 04/07/2023 09:47

Vicar