AIBU to be torn over a job offer - NHS

[Squeak4]

I work for the NHS full time, taking home around £2,400 a month.

I’ve just been offered a 3-day highly specialist Band 7 role in London…. I genuinely didn’t think I’d get it and now have to decide by the end of today!!!!

The problem is that because it’s only 3 days, my take-home would be much less, so I can’t actually afford to do it on its own.

Ideally, my dream would be to do the new job 3 days and stay with my current role for 2 days (I currently have a specialism one day a week).
However, I asked about reducing to 2 days and my manager said it would be very difficult, would require a formal flexible working application which could take a long time and might be rejected. She also said that if I did drop to two days, I likely have to stop doing my specialism and use those days for community to help the service.

Also, my supervisor said she’s hoping to build me a 2-day Band 7 role by the end of the year, which I would love. This is unlikely if I take the role :(. But I’m worried that if I stay, I’ll end up being Band 7 for 2 days and Band 6 community for 3 days indefinitely.

I also don’t hugely enjoy my current community caseload, but love my development role.

The current job does have huge advantages: flexibility, WFH, easy hours, and although the 45-minute drive each way is annoying, London will mean a longer/more complicated commute. Also, I absolutely ADORE my team they are all so lovely.

I’m just completely torn.
I genuinely cannot see the right answer. Also, I have about 6 hours to make a decision…. What would you do?

Is it a clinical role. ?
Are you able to do bank work to make up the short fall?

Take it . Leave your current role and do bank shifts for them if you can .

But I really love my current development role and she’s worked hard to build it for me. And I love my team.

It’s all good saying I’ll pick up bank shifts but it’s not guaranteed and I’m currently trying to buy a house

Take it and do bank shifts on your other days.

I would be quite suspicious about them wanting to create you a B7. Most Trusts are struggling for money atm, she’d have to jump through hoops to prove that it was necessary. I think I’d take the new job, and then bank elsewhere to make up the shortfall. I’d also put in the flexible working request at your current job, she shouldn’t be discouraging you from giving that a try. Of course it could be rejected, but it might not be

I hate commuting so I would stick around, keep my specialism and wait for band 7 where I am. But then I’m not particularly ambitious and my dh is the main breadwinner.

Btw I think don’t see why putting in a request for flexible hours for 2 days where you are is a problem. It’s just a form. Of course it’s something that has to be signed off and arranged formally rather than something that a LM can just give a casual ok to.

Yeah I’ve never commuted to London so I don’t know if I’d absolutely hate it!

But I really love my current development role Then why did you apply for and interview elsewhere?

I'd take it and look for bank work, agency or even giving flu jabs over the autumn to fill the gap whilst looking for something more permanent in those days.

Tbh I only applied because it’s a job I’ve been interested in previously and I was emailed about it. I wasn’t actively looking for a new job.

I guess I just worry that my development role might not turn into two days, but also I love my team:(

How much less would it be a month once London weighting is taken into account?

And going up a band is inportant for pension

I agree with other posters. It's all well and good your manager saying she is trying to get a 2 day Band 7 post for you, but actually achieving that is another matter. Especially as most trusts seem to be trying to reduce spending. I can't see why a flexible working request will take that long? They relatively quick in my place of work (also community nhs). More hours may become available in the new role as it develops?

Is there the option to drop to just do the specialist 1 day a week plus the 3 days band 7?

Pay drop wouldn't be as huge and you could have the option to pick up occasional extra shifts potentially but not as urgent as if you are just the 3 days

Given the financial constraints I wouldn’t believe a word of it. Take the new band 7 offer and do bank.

Have you asked the potential new employer if they have two days a week available in a band 6 role?

Like pp I really wouldn't want to trust that a position will materialise at your current workplace. It sounds exactly the sort of thing a manager would say to keep a valued member of staff, far from a definite offer.

I'd go for it because you sound like you're in a good position. I wouldn't be surprised if, when it comes down to it, your current employer makes 2 days work. If not, bank work could fill in the gaps. And your new trust might have a 2 day opportunity come up in time.

Is there much bank around at the moment? Ours has all but disappeared.

Can you go back to the London offer and see whether they can offer any more hours or solution for the extra days you'd need?

I'd stay

If the new role is a permanent contract I’d take it. We all know what we’d ‘hope’ to do in the NHS and what we can financially achieve is very different. Financial constraints are stumping all our career development, especially band 6 upwards.

People leave and move on though. Your team could look very different in the future.

I don’t know the answer but you applied for a reason. You need to weigh up the new role vs what you have now (without the Band 7 imaginary role that may never come to fruition).

Also if you are looking to buy a house, reducing your take home pay and trying to sub the new role with bank work is a bad idea. Mortgage companies may not take into account bank pay as it’s not guaranteed.

They may - my mortgage takes NHS bank pay into consideration, 50% of the previous years earnings.

Fair enough. But still halving your affordability (or a proportion of it).

I wouldn't rely on bank shifts too make up the time, most hospitals have put as block on hiring Bank staff. My partners cousin was a bank nurse for decades working regularly until this year when it completely stopped for her and she had to go permanent. Also when I was in hospital for a month over Christmas they were permanently understaffed as they were not allowed to bring in bank cover.
Partner also works for the NHS in a back office role and I believe this is current official policy.
Would there be scope for the band 7 role to increase over time? I do also believe that non bank shift cover is available, does your current role have a skillset where you could cover shifts in sickness, etc?

Your manager is likely trying to keep you by promising a B7 progression and discouraging you from applying for flexible working and reducing your hours. When it gets to it if you want to reduce your hours they will likely facilitate this as they would rather have you (trained and capable already) for some shifts, than have to advertise for and train someone new (if they are even allowed to advertise and recruit to a vacancy at the moment, there is huge scrutiny in our trust and its very difficult to replace staff who leave). I would apply for flexible working to reduce your current hours and accept this new job, if its permanent. It temp its a bit too much upheaval for a short period of time. But the experience, being on cv, the pay and London weighting, and the specialism will be so good for you. Good luck!