Would you do this job...?

[howdypartnerrr]

I already have a thread going asking if I should be a SAHM.. but the responses went a bit off track so a poster advised me to start another thread with a different angle.

Basically I'm a dental nurse. Tell me - would you do this job, or think it's fair?

I'm in my 30s, I've been qualified over 15 years. I had to do coursework and pass a quite stressful exam to pass.

I have to pay £125 a year out of my own pocket to be registered with the GDC and to be legally allowed to work.

I have to do 50 hours CPD every 5 years, I have to pay £40 a year for a subscription to an online CPD site, I then have to prove I have done this CPD, write down on a record what I learnt from it etc. I have to do a personal development plan every year. This is all in my own time.

I have to start early to get all jobs done that I'm asked.. usually 15-30 minutes I come in early, unpaid.

I have to do the odd on call weekend, of which is I'm called out I get £15 per patient.. if I'm not called, I don't get paid. Meaning a weekend is restricted for no pay.

It's quite a stressful job, everything has to be ready for the dentist, cleaned, notes taken. Spots checks done to make sure your surgery is clean. Lots of tick boxes.

Other nurses are quite hostile to one another.

Some nurses have done extra courses and have extra duties for no more pay.

All this ... for £10.50ph.

Tell me, would you do it? and anyone who is a dental nurse on here, how do you feel at the moment? Do you feel valued? Or have you left the industry and found it's the best thing you've ever done?

@kerstina would you believe, it's a fully private practise.
I did look into being a hygienist but I didn't have A levels, I have heard you can do an access course though so it's something I might look into.

I'm not sure I could train dental nurses (my friend does it) as I'd be too tempted to say to them this is really not worth the effort you're putting in.. run while you can! Haha

Could you look into training as a Dental Hygenist? I know they get a lot more per hour (3 or 4 times more) you have the relevant experience and maybe you could find an employer to sponsor this/ share the training costs, or as an apprenticeship ( might be worth it in the long run)?

OP, I’m not sure why you feel like you need internet validation to become a SAHM if you want to? You’re painting the job in an extremely negative light, presumably so you’ll get the answers you want to get. I’m sure there are lot of happy dental nurses and unhappy ones – so what?

You’ve been advised that having your own financial independence is a good thing, therefore to consider looking for other work. Again, that’s up to you. I’m not sure why you need multiple threads on this or why you need people on the internet to agree with you.

Mate did further training to become a dental hygienist. She works privately, pretty much sets her own hours and rates, works between a couple of practises

Could do a levels first?

I thought the DSA qualification used to be the route to being a hygienist. Not sure why it is a now a degree subject.

DSA qualification is equal to an A’ level.

If you are required to work extra unpaid and are only getting min wage for the hours you work, employer is in breach of NMW.

Have you looked at working for private dental companies with more perks?

BUPA I think pay for CPD training and GDC fees. I'm sure there are more employers that do that.

The NHS does band 4 dental nurses, which is more than minimum wage and good pension contributions.

I don't think it's the job, it's the pay and conditions you don't like. If you like the actual job, find another employer that offers more.