I'm a mental health nurse. Started as a band 5 and did 3 years in inpatient forensic mental health, before moving into inpatient acute dementia care 7 years ago. Moved up to a band 6 grade 2 years ago on the ward I work on and am now a charge nurse. So in total 10 years now in inpatient mental health.
I currently have a flexible working agreement with my work that works well whilst I have pre-school children. But eventually I think I want to move on, and I think I need a break from 'the front line'. Constant short-staffing, increased pressure and staff politics have slowly but surely worn me down. I'd also eventually like 'sensible' working hours and to be off weekends and bank holidays with DH and the kids.
I don't particularly want to do ward management. I wouldn't mind doing something in training or educating student nurses, although doing something completely different for a bit also appeals. The salary will need to be broadly equivalent though. I need some inspiration. So if you are a nurse but don't do nursing per se, what do you do?