NHS applying for lower band

[Fluffybear86]

Hello all. Hope you're all ok. I have posted before to ask for support /advice as I've been signed off with stress. I have applied for a job two bands lower but it's a job I have done a few years ago in a different setting. I get married in September and can't deal with the stress of current job and don't want to be unhappy when it should be a happy time! Only thing is I'm worrying already lol

1. I'll be down banding from a 7 to a 5. Although I think this is best for me I worry about questions people will ask and what they will say. I feel like I've let myself down !

2 I'm scared if I get the job they may refuse it as I'm off with stress although I'm due to go back end of month 3 I'm scared they won't give me time to go on honeymoon !

Been in an almost similar situation, couple of years ago. NHS also. What's the situation with your current post? Are they expecting you back on Friday?

I'm due back in three weeks so I imagine ive got time to be successful at an interview and can hopefully go back and work my notice. I've applied for 15+ jobs!! Work are aware of situation and have been supportive but it can't go on forever !

One of my colleagues downbanded from 8 to 6, returning to her favourite role as school nurse. There's no shame in it. The service line you work in would much rather keep you (they've trained you) and will be happy to look at your application for another post. Plus, you will be opening up an opportunity for someone to 'advance'. You've let no-one down.

I work a band lower than I used to. People the band above are working their arses off. I come in at 9 work ass off leave at 5 and take no work home. It was supposed to be a temp move but am sticking here till kids are older.

Plus, regarding your honeymoon, I believe they have to honour your annual leave entitlement? can't say for certain as ours is April 01 to March 31

I've worked with loads of nurses who've risen up the ranks to management then moved back to being staff nurses. No shame whatsoever.

yes, munchkin but your lowering of responsibility is reflected in your lower pay. We all have that choice, don't we?

With all the changes and pressures in the nhs I know quite a few people who have downgraded back to clinical roles from middle manager roles. Still stressful but different pressures.
you need to look after yourself and reduce your stress.
Anybody worth their salt will not look down on you for this.

frikadela I'm not sure I get your point. I work a band lower (and am paid less) to get the right work/life balance. It sounds almost as if you are disagreeing with me?

Oops it was magz who confused me not frikadela

No, not disagreeing at all. Quite the opposite! You've taken a cut in pay. That means you don't have the same 'take work home' responsibility as colleagues on higher bands. Sorry if I didn't get my point across properly.

The day she gave me my band 6 job, my band 7 manager told me I had the job she wanted. I can see why, band 7 jobs are mostly really, really tough and I have no intention of going above band 6. Even in band 6 I've not really been sleeping for the last three weeks I really struggle without the level of support available to a band 5.

Things I loved about band 5: the frequency of management support; the primacy of clinical time; peer support from fellow band 5s; the constant learning. I'm not sure what it would be like to go back to band 5 as an experienced person, so yes, it needs to be the right job for you. Our band 5 jobs are now rotation posts which I wouldn't want.

A lot of trusts these days are taking on band 5's but giving them the same workload of a band 6! They will slightly change the job description but it is a devious way of getting more for your money.
I am a 6 and have seen a rise in band 5's over the last 3-4 years who STAY as a 5 but still have to do the same as we do. Was chatting to the union guy (regional head) last week about it and they are aware of it (whether they do anything though under current state of the NHS)...

I really find very stressufull to work as a band 5. It is affecting in a negative way my health. Managers wants impossible targets and they are only able to treat me as a scumbag. I, that a lot of time take a shorter break and go home later! So i had enought! I want to give up to be a band 5 and go down to a HCA! If the money is less i does not matter to me if i gain less money: i can still do bank and i prefear to be less stressed! My only doubt is i do not know how is the policy of NHS and NMC in this case. Do i need to lapse my NMC registration? Can the managers use my situation as an excuse to fire me from my b5 work and not giving me a lower band job? Am i entitled to have support for this process?

I went from a band 8 to a band 6 after having DD. I wanted to have a better work life balance and didn't want the stress of a SMT position with a young child.
I'm sure people thought I was selling myself short and being stupid for not being able to cope but it worked really well for me so I don't care what other people thought or said about it.
I'm not interested in being superwoman I just wanted to do a job I feel comfortable with without it taking over my home life.

I'm currently on a full time 8a but have applied for a band 5 part time job so that I can use a couple of days a week to try to set up a private practice. Money will be tight but I just cannot deal with the shit that lands on my desk any more!

Don't feel like you've let yourself down - you have to do what's best for you to ensure a good quality of life. Good luck with the job!

Furry. Will it affect your pension by dropping down to a Band 5 ?

Ghost I feel the same as you. I think if you did drop to a HCA when the time for revalidation came you just wouldn't do it and inform NMC that you are letting your registration lapse.
OP there is nothing wrong with dropping a band. Just be careful that it really is less stress as lots of places are expecting band 5s to do roles with lots of responsibility and stress. I even know people who are less stressed doing band 6 roles than band 5!
Mumteadumpty it will affect pension as the contributions will obviously be less on a lower salary.

Stressedoutandfedu: my revalidation is due in 20 mounths: what i have to do in the meantime? Also i do not know if - knowing i am a band 5 at the moment- they wan't give me a band 4 or 3 job becouse of their stupid thoughts ("he does not kanow whate he wants; he will be not able to be subordinate after beeing in charge" or other nonsenses). But moreover i do not know what is the policy of NHS and NMC in this case

Hi there,

Im in a bit of a predicament in regards to whether or not to take a band 7 job offered to me. To be completely honest the money is a big factor and is the one I will likely make my decision upon as bad as that sounds. I am currently bottom of band 6 with 25% unsocial and would be going to band 7 also with 25% unsocial. Does anyone know the take home pay of bottom of band 7?