Help me with a job role decision!

[blackswan29]

I’m really torn and would appreciate some views.

I currently work full time in the NHS. It’s secure, flexible, good pension, and I generally manage my own workload. However, a large part of my role is community-based work which is extremely understaffed and increasingly pressured. I also have a fairly long commute. I’m becoming really burnt out.
But within this this, I’ve been lucky enough to develop a specialist area which I do one day a week. I really enjoy it, and it feels like a genuine long-term career path for me.

Recently (slightly unexpectedly), I was offered a part-time role at a university. It’s better paid per day, sounds genuinely interesting (teaching, student supervision, some clinical work, possible research), and would help me develop skills I don’t currently get much time for.

Ideally, I’d hoped to combine the two roles. However, my NHS manager has said that due to service pressures I can’t reduce my NHS hours as much as the university role would require.
She’s also been clear that if I reduce further, I’d have to give up my specialist role and focus on community work only, as that’s where the service need is.
So it feels like I’m being asked to prioritise service survival over development, which I understand… but it leaves me stuck choosing between:

• staying in a secure, familiar NHS role (but losing the specialist work I love and likely focusing solely on an understaffed service), or
• taking a leap into a new, fixed-term university role that could be exciting and professionally developing, and would earn me more money to help me buy a house, but comes with uncertainty.

I keep going back and forth between “don’t risk what you’ve got” and “you’ll regret not trying”.
Has anyone faced something similar - particularly being asked to give up a specialism because of service pressures? How much would job security weigh for you in this situation?

Leaving any permanent role, for a role on a fixed term contract is always a risk.

What's your home situation like? Can you afford to drop from full time pay to part time pay?

I could probably work 4 days a week but I’m trying to save a deposit whilst renting as well.

It’s such an amazing opportunity, one i never thought I’d get, and they seemed really keen to employ me. It’s a 10k pay rise as well.

I am just so torn! I hoped to keep my specialism here at the NHS which is one reason I wanted to stay as community is burning me out

I wouldn't not be hugely worried about fixed term contracts, if it weren't for the fact that universities constantly struggle with funding. Having said that, there is no shortage of NHS vacancies (location dependent) and you can always go back should your contract not be extended. I'd take a leap of faith and go for the Uni job.

I’m worried if I leave I’ll burn bridges and they wouldn’t take me back if I needed to.
I’m good at this job and it’s very comfortable.

But I want to be ambitious as well!

This would be my advice, too, especially as I get the impression that you are nearer the beginning of your career than the end.

They sound like they are pretty desperate for staff. Even if they don't take you (which I doubt - burning bridges is when you walk out in the middle of your shift swearing at your manager, not when you politely resign and work your notice), there are plenty of unfilled NHS vacancies you can apply for.
Either way, I learned the hard way that you never know what the future holds. Make decisions that excite you right now, worry about the rest later. What if it all works out?

Yeah I’m only 28 and I’ve been qualified in my field for 6 years. This job now is so comfortable it honestly scares me but I feel they’re very protective over their service and the severe lack of staff, so are willing to cease my development for the time being..

Take the uni job, keep an eye out for roles within the specialist area you are enjoying.

Is there scope to volunteer outside of working hours if you love it or even freelance work? (I have something like breastfeeding support in my head, it might not be this).

I could definitely work privately but it’s risky and honestly it scares me because I don’t have a huge business brain!!
Im also currently working full time and I’m unsure how much I’ll be able to afford working 3 days per week so the lack of consistent finance scares me

it sounds like you’re really excited about the university job. Fixed term contracts are just part and parcel of it.

don’t burn bridges just say I’d love to stay in current role but it’s a too good opportunity to pass up. Make it clear you won’t pass up the opportunity and see again if there’s anything they can do to keep your specialist role and just less community. But be willing to stick to your guns firmly but with good manners to leave the door open for a possible retunr

Many universities are making cuts. I wouldn't leave a permanent role.

Can you take the uni role and do bank shifts to top up the finances and keep your hand in for NHS work (and your registration up to date, presuming you’re clinical). That way you’ve still got current experience but not losing the opportunity of the uni role

I am not in the nhs but only know what i hear from friends who are. Roles are hard to come by and bank shifts are being heavily cut so if you leave you may not find it easy to get back in... this uni role is a PT contract role...presumably little to no benefits pensions etc. On that basis

I would not give up your permanent FT role

Oh god don’t move into the university sector

Why not? I’d love to know more as i may not be as clued up as I should be!

it is fixed term because there is very little funding

it isn’t secure- it will be a fixed term contract every year until suddenly they haven’t got enough money

Having read what everyone else has to say, I say go for it.

It is exciting and it might change your future. It will definitely be good for your resume.

BUT what I would also do is - find a second stream of income, ie agency work. I have always had a second job because somewhere always needs extra staff and I sometimes needed extra money.

Then you can definitely go for the job and really enjoy it, knowing you have a couple of extra days somewhere else in the diary too.

There is no way you would burn your bridges simply be leaving - it is a shame that the service is so understaffed and leaving does make a person feel bad, BUT you have the right to spread your wings - if it is in you, it is there for a reason. What you need is money, to keep your decisions safe, so my advice is to take the job offer, and find some agency work on the side. You never know what that will open up as well.

And if a fixed term contract ends, people simply find another job and wriggle until they get themselves sorted - don't 'not do' something for that reason, if you really want to do it. Things always work themselves out somehow.

Do it! you will regret it if you don't try. I once left an NHS job (admin not clinical) for a temporary role in a university and I worked there for 10 years! obviously will not work out the same for everyone but I was able to do it as I had no mortgage or children at the time. work 3 days a week and get a weekend job to top up. the consistently long commute will get to you!

I really don't think you need a business brain! I get the impression most people who set up to provide a service are just good at what they do & muddle through the rest! It's mainly confidence.
Do you know anyone who freelances in your area of expertise who might be able to advise you?

But if money is the main worry, are their any agencies that specialise in your area that you could work with to fill the gaps out of term, or if your uni contract expires?

If your service is short staffed, would it be very difficult to come back F/T if things don't work out?

It sounds like you have lots to offer in work that you enjoy, you're just missing the confidence to step away from the safety of FT employed work (no judgement from me, I'm the biggest coward going!).