22 years in NHS over!

[seaofyou]

Ok 17 years because of 5 years career break!

I had to take a break to do behavioural therapy on my severly autistic boy to help him talk, reduce challenging behaviours, learn to do everything basically. He has been in a small school now a year with 1:1 etc and I felt ready to return!

I wanted to return to my same hours 22.5 over 3 days, but have all school holidays off (so pay would equal out 16 hours a week).
I asked to work last 3 days so I could do MSc (self funded Mon-Tues) Behaviour Therapy at Uni to ensure I was able to do the psychologist job correctly with qualification as therapy not supplied by LEA anymore even though ds will always have Autism.

Manager said no to working school term time only (even though I would do full day 7.5hrs a day x 3 days a week same as pre career break). Manager said no to those days Wed-Fri (as wanted Mon-Tues off for uni). That I would have to work other days...he didn't even say the reasons why or what other days I would have to work?

I started at 18 years old, so never ever done anything else workwise and a Sister in Community, I loved my job! I am truely devestated:(
I am a lone parent with no family to help and the cost of SNs childcare is more than I earn! Plus ds holidays are longer so out of school club holiday club times and I know ds would not cope at anyhow.

Any advice please?

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

Pleased to see your life improving, seaofyou. :)

[seaofyou]

OLKN and WBHV
and OLKN you know what this means I can be in a position to actually sell up and move at some point YAHOOOOO FREEDOM!!!!

ssd I know :( I'm so sorry...can you ever do a return to nursing course in the future when family life eases at some point?

[seaofyou]

sorry ssd not nursing...management doh!
I wonder if these new rules for mothers coming out in 2014?? where you can work term time only will then give you the opportunity to return? I hope so {{{hugs}}} it's hard esp when you love your job and lots of skills/experience to offer. Keep positive one day soon you can go back...I never thought I could and tbh don't know how long it will last hopefully the next 20 years but it depends how on ds is esp when going to secondary school then college etc but just thinking of Monday for now and taking it one day at a time.

[CPtart]

I too left the NHS after twenty years (district nurse) because they wouldn't allow me to work set days (including weekends and bank holidays). So I Went. Am now employed in general practice which although has its own stresses is great. I feel appreciated and am able to organise regular childcare.

[seaofyou]

Thanks CP and glad it worked out for you too.

Starting to get nervous as going back to same place.
Feel a bit let down tbh as I realised they were not 'friends' as no one contacted me when I took the break from work and they all knew why. Sad as I supported two friends through a divorce/family probs going over above in support in/out of work. I going back for the clients not the staff:)

A friend in need...you realise who is their for you! But such is life you live and learn and I have had more support here with true offers of help and support than I could ever imagine :)

[badguider]

I see your side totally but I do think you being away for the summer holiday will be very hard on any team. Other holidays of 1-2 weeks are just like covering for annual leave but in the summer they'd need to get a temp or agency staff in wouldn't they?
Can you think about other ways to use your same skills either self-employed or in the private sector but providing service to the NHS or joining agency/bank staff? A lot of parents find contracting to work for family life as you get a higher wage when working but can take summer off.
I think you need to put your (understandable) hurt and anger at your current employer aside and start to think laterally.
Good luck.

[Salbertina]

Fab, OP, excellent news. Good luck!

[seaofyou]

BadgMy position is not caseload but discharge after post diagnosis support so no need for covering whilst off looking after my disabled DS. I would never have expected that situ to work in as I agree not fair on team.

Thank you Salbertina for your support back then

[WeAreSix]

Interesting reading the thread!

I tried to return to my post as a midwife after maternity leave & being 'looked after' by the chronic pain team with unresolving SPD. (Turns out they'd misdiagnosed me but you get the picture!)

I requested to reduce my hours from 25pw and either have an annualised or term-time contract. I made it very clear that I wanted more hours during the school holidays as DH is a teacher and therefore I had childcare, where during term I didn't. I wanted to work the unsocial hours where most parents needed to be home.

My request was declined. My colleagues were amazed that the one person who wanted to work through August was told no. I handed my resignation in, and thought I'd probably said goodbye to my registration.

It ended well though :) I now have no SPD or mobility problems and I start a new post as a Nurse Clinical Supervisor in August. This employer loves that I want to work evenings, weekends, nights and especially school holidays. They understand that my DD with SEN needs extra care. I even went on to have another baby :)

So, stuff you NHS Trust! You may not want someone working when everyone else wants AL but you're on your own with that one!

[seaofyou]

WeAreSix that they never bit your arm off with that request!

One door shuts and a fab one opened for you too well done and congrats on new baby to :)

[ssd]

glad it turned out for you too wearesix

I cant understand the blinkered approach of some employers, no wonder good staff leave