Asking all ex Healthcare professionals that have changed careers, what job do do now ?

[Cjg61]

Just a bit of a discussion really!
I have been in healthcare most of my working life, mostly NHS.
Since around a year pre Covid I started to get very despondent, disillusioned and downright pissed off with the whole service.
The problem as ever, was the multiple, ever changing management stipulations.
The expectation of one job actually has to do the work of 2 or 3 staff, as I approach my 60s, still a long way off state pension age and several disastrous short term jobs ( along with Covid) later, I decided enough is enough.
I am now working as a charity retail manager, yes manager! Could never progress further than Band 3 dog’s body unless I did a degree!
I am really interested to know where other despondent, disillusioned ex NHS staff have gone on to do?
Asking anyone from Band 2 upwards, be really good hear other people’s stories.

Not changed yet but retraining in law. One foot and a couple of toes out the door and not looking back. The welcoming reception and willingness of people to help has taken such a long time to get used to!

@Coffeegirl87 yes! The helpfulness and friendliness is also something I’m struggling with….how weird to have to get used to normal nice human behaviour!
What did they do to us ?

I worked as a Band 7 clinician for about 16 years in total. Had to get out - crazy workload, never enough time for individual families, bloody depressing all round, was utterly miserable. Really struggled with what on earth to do though! I still work for the NHS but now in a corporate role. There are frustrations, and the system is such a mess, but not having patient contact has reduced my stress by about 80% . I get to help NHS staff to make their services by better and that's very rewarding

@Lottapianos , even though I never thought I would say this, not having patient contact feels like I have removed a led weight from shoulders. No more stress about competency and patient safety, along with always second guessing if you have done the right thing.

'not having patient contact feels like I have removed a led weight from shoulders'

It really does. Trying to convince parents that they had a really crucial role to play in their child's development, and no they couldn't just leave everything to nursery / school, wore me out. That's just one example

now deal in antiques and vintage stuff online so much better than NHS stress

I’m a clinician, live in another country but worked for NHS for several years in my younger days. Then came back and continued in my own system for a few more decades. Jumped ship as became too old to put up with the hours and rest of the crap. Did advisory work as a consultant for a while and was offered a permanent job through that and was happy to take it. Happy to now sit at a desk until I drop off my perch.

Sorry, to clarify, dis not mean Consultant as per NHS terminology as I was already on that level, but meant advising on health guidelines, policy etc in an independent contracting sense.

I was working in a band 8a clinical role, I think the work I did actually traumatised me. No one respects your boundaries and I was constantly being approached by all and sundry for freebies essentially.

Im a lecturer now, different stresses and hard work but no way near as bad as front facing patient care. I know now I can't go back to clinical work as it was making me ill, and nothing to do with lack of resilience...I did it for 21 years!! Think it was burnout.

@TeacupDrama, I did this personally as well, this is exactly what I do in my shop, I love how it doesn’t feel like. I go to “ work “ anymore ! I love the rummaging and sorting, always some surprises!

Seems like the most common denominator here is stress and burnout.
It really shouldn’t be like this in our healthcare services.
We join as kind caring individuals and leave as burnt out husks.

Currently in a similar position. I have switched from a clinical (band 3) role after a couple of years and am working in IT which is a relief, but it's still NHS and I want to break away from the NHS completely. Same reasons as above, stress and burnout as even our department is understaffed (we are 6 staff down at our level so there are 4 of us doing the job of 10).

I've applied for a post at the coroners office which relates to what I originally studied and continue to study (was heading for forensic nursing but god help me if I am suffering NHS placements for the next 5-6 years +). Fingers crossed I get it as I match the criteria perfectly except in one area.

My friend did nursing for many years, then studied law. She now works in medical negligence cases.

Another nurse friend studied horticulture part time, and he now works at Kew gardens and has left nursing completely.

I was band 3, I bloody loved that job but the hours and the stress of always being short staffed meaning I knew I was not able to provide the care I wanted to were doing me no good. I hated never being able to plan anything because our shifts were so all over the place and not far enough in advance. I now work for a charity still supporting people in a health care environment but very different vibe.