Two jobs advertised in the same NHS trust but which to go for?

[Cazz246]

Anyone who can help with my decision will be very much appreciated! I’m in my late 50s so don’t want to be on my feet all day......but ....?

First job to be advertised, Band 3 HCSW with community nurses. This job is local, there’s already at least four people ( friends ) who I have worked with before so I don’t feel quite such “ a new girl” ! All training will be given. The against is weekend/ bank holiday working inc Christmas Day, we are a big Christmas family!

The second a Band 3 Rehbilitation Assistant, have worked in Stroke and Palliative rehab for years. This is ward based with some community, so I’m presuming I will be on my feet the majority of the day and getting home absolutely pasted! I don’t know anyone on this team, so new girl!
The plus is it’s Monday to Friday, no bank holidays.

I know no job is perfect, I really only want apply for one of the role as they are both within the same trust, but any help on which one ? My head, heart, family and friends not a lot of help!

Just to add, I fit the JD and PS of both the jobs.....

I don’t want to make another mistake as my work life last year has been a car crash thanks to Covid. I need my last before retirement job!

So over to you! All good suggestions very much appreciated!

I’m still leaning towards job 1. Best of luck, hoping you secure both!!

@Babyroobs Congratulations! It’s difficult isn’t it, we all want to be happy and make sure we make the right decision. I have made two wrong job decisions last year, I don’t want to make another!
I wish job advertisements weren’t like buses and all come at once!

@wingsnthat thanks, I think after reading people’s comments I’m going to apply for both, but I’m going to keep fingers crossed for job no 1, as it closes first I think the interview would also be the first.

I applied for the first job, I was invited to interview just over 12 hrs later.....I’m now feeling uneasy about the job as the NHS never work this quickly.
Am I being overly paranoid? 😏

Don't feel uneasy, community nursing teams are run off their feet so your application probably stood out and they're keen to get you in.

Good luck!

@foodtoorder Thankyou! 😁

Great news! You probably seemed like the ideal candidate on paper so they want to get you in ASAP, good luck!

In my NHS experience it’s usually the pre employment checks etc and waiting for a start date that takes the longest. Hopefully as an internal candidate you don’t have to wait too long.

Apply for both. honestly if you got the mon- fri one I'd go for that. it's no fun working Christmas.

The recruitment team for my current job were really, really fast. Much quicker than hospital. I went from interview to start date in around 3 weeks.

Apply for both.

I applied for three NHS jobs that all had the same deadline in the same Trust. I was offered interviews for all three.

I have applied for both and have interviews for both..... trouble is they are a bloomin week apart!
Oh well, I’ll just go with the flow see what transpires !

Congratulations on the interviews and best of luck with both! I really hope you get to pick the one you want the most

Ooh congratulations! Hopefully it will become obvious at the interview that one is more for you than the other!

Thanks everyone for all your good wishes and advice, will update on Wednesday after interview no 1 !

@BabbleBee I hope you don’t mind me asking, as a community nurse on average how many visits per day do your HCSW have to make?

@Cazz246 don’t mind you asking at all. I’m part of an overnight service for urgent care so it’s not quite the same as the day teams. I can find out though if you’d like?

@BabbleBee oh sorry I just presumed you work days! Just curious as my friend said depending on caseload, it’s around 15 to 20 per day , wondered if that’s the norm!

I went for interview no 1, well, what a crock of shite.
I arrived 10 mins early, checked in and told where to go wait, twenty minutes later, no sign of anyone, went back to check I was in the right place, I was , waited fifty minutes in total. I nearly went home as it was obvious this candidate has been interviewing for almost an hour and a half has to be the all out favourite!
Eventually, the candidate and recruiting manager emerged from the room, manager walked her down the stairs and all the way to the door!
After another wait of fifteen minutes it’s my turn! Now I have experience of NHS job interviews, it’s a point scoring system, the questions asked are all the same. However, , once the favourite candidate has been selected those questions have a slight spin on them so it makes it very difficult for the interviewee to be able elaborate or even give a reasonably decent answer. This of course results in nobody else being able to score as highly as the favourite candidate.
So, I am in the room with the manager from the local area team to which I have applied and the team lead from the neighbouring area. Yes, not mentioned in the advert , this job is over two areas, which is in effect half the county. It was explained to me that on top of the twenty visits that have taken all of an 8 hr shift, I could get a call and have to drive 30 to 40 miles to cover a visit in the other area.... how would I feel about that?
The interview continued in a similar manner, to the point I actually thought they were taking the pee!
Needless to say, I didn’t get the job and I I didn’t want it either, sympathy is with the poor person who has taken that lot on!
On the way out ( I didn’t get walked down by the manager! 😂) I went for a chat with the receptionist ( I know her) she told me the turn over is unreal, 3 months is the average, she showed me a staff list of ten names all but one are new!
What the heck has happened to the NHS, ten years ago your job was enjoyable and doable, people stuck their jobs for longer than five minutes. Now, it’s just a big ball of stressful slavery 😰😰

@Cazz246 sorry to hear you had such a bad experience.

I asked a (HCA) colleague how many patients she sees on a day shift, she said usually around 10 but sometimes less as she’s on the rural day team. Never more than 15.

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience at interview no. 1 @Cazz246
I'm not sure if this was your first preference or not, but at least you didn't cut off your options. Best of luck with no. 2!

I'd definitely apply for the both.

In terms of 'heaviness' having worked in both settings I'd say in patient rehab is going to be heavier. Whilst in the community you will still be on your feet and busy you'll be able to give your feet a little rest in between calls.

In terms of personal life and the effect it will have working shifts over Monday to Friday, only you know if you're happy with that.

Good luck.