To think I'll have to leave Nhs

[BalticUnicorn]

Hello due to go on mat leave soon. Already been told my job cannot be part time and looking around there a very few part time permanent jobs on my grade. I think I'll have to leave the nhs to get part time working won't I? Has anyone else been in this position?

Have to admit stressy that my overriding theory has always been that forcing me out was budgetary orientated.

That particular manager moved onto a higher position less than a year later, replaced by a far more flexible, approachable manager who I know would not have let this happen.

Still, what's done is done, I'm now concentrating on my future career, getting settled and finding my feet again.

After 3 months of unemployment, I have found work with an agency, applying, interviewing and not getting a job within the nhs has shocked and floored me. Qualified for 26 years, I have never known anything like it.

It's awful jack. I've been a nurse since 2004 and always worked full time good sick record etc. They'd rather lose a nurse!

Depending on your band getting part time work shouldn't be an issue in the NHS most nurses I know are part time for one reason on another now. Have a look around for other jobs if you want to keep nursing that is as mat leave can be spread across trusts.

Decent paying part time jobs are like rocking horse shit in my experience as are flexible employers. Make sure you have a really good look around before you go anywhere as the grass might not be greener.

Thanks Madame. We may want another child too so want to stay in nhs for as long as possible for mat leave.

I left district nursing after 14 years as they wouldn't allow me set working hours to plan childcare. So I left and work in general practice part time where pay is a little less favourable, but the flexibility and social working pattern is worth it's weight in gold. The DN service is now on its knees. Think long term.

I think it's regional, the big trusts here are dreadful and offer virtually no flexibility. My service has lost seven staff in the last 12 months (none of whom have been replaced!) because 'the needs of the service' were incompatible with part time hours apparently...

I too was told "the needs of the service come first". See ya then!

Then definitely look round if you move while pregnant the two trusts share the mat leave. Most trusts are crying out for nurses so you should be able to find somewhere with hrs that suit!

Don't blame you cptart. Madame I'm going to look while on mat leave so hopefully something will come up x

I would put in a flexible working request before you return from mat leave. Your employer will have a detailed policy on this. Most flexible working request forms will ask you to describe the impact on your service and colleagues and how the service might be rearranged to meet your request. If it is turned down you also have a right to appeal and a more senior manager will review it.

Talking as an NHS manager who runs a team where approx half the staff are on PT or flexible working I would say it has its pros and cons. It's difficult to employ people to fill 'bits' of posts (particularly when people want to do hours that don't fit easily with a job share) and they risk being left empty- which puts a significant strain on the full timers. Especially when new parents can be off quite a bit in the first couple of years due to children picking up bugs from nursery. Some people can also be quite inflexible about the days they can come back. The pros are retaining our valued experienced staff and we have been able to hang onto people much longer as staff stay loyal.

I agree stressy it does feel like the NHS are deliberately forcing out staff to save money. I wonder how senior management actually expect the work to get done?

I left when they insisted on 24/7 working regardless of caring responsibilities/disabilities. As did many experienced colleagues.

Some ended up back in the same department as locums, costing the NHS twice as much. I still don't see now that benefits the service

It's not just the NHS. It's almost impossible to get part-time in private sector unless you have done a job for a long time. Part-time jobs that are advertised generally pay peanuts.

Be careful before stepping away from the NHS. You could be out of the frying pan into the fire.

The 'needs of the service' is a favourite phrase in my trust too. Another mum has just resigned and they have lost a few more over the last few months (all dedicated and experienced staff). The service is at the point of collapse as the pressure on the staff left has meant, they too, have started looking elsewhere. Replacements are a grade lower and are not able to work unsupervised and have 1-2 yrs to train.

It's appalling that these women, who have spent many years at university etc., are being forced out by (a) refusal of part time hours or (b) being forced to work a ridiculous amount of antisocial hours so that they have no life or ever see their children!

Stupid, short-sighted managers imho.