Leaving nursing for a band 4 job?

Themumroom1991 · 2022-03-21T22:42:42+00:00

Has anyone left a career in nursing for a band 4 job? For example social prescriber or care co ordinator? Do you regret it?

Original poster

Themumroom1991 · 26/03/2022 14:45

Bump?

OP posts:

Wavypurple · 26/03/2022 15:37

How many years have you been on band 5?

I wouldn’t blame you for leaving nursing. I’m planning my own exit myself at the moment. Looking into random jobs that aren’t degree level just so I can escape and highly doubt I’ll regret it.

Original poster

Themumroom1991 · 26/03/2022 16:36

Thanks for the reply 😊

I've been qualified 8 years. How long have you been qualified?

There's loads of social prescribing jobs about recently and I love the idea of not too much pressure, managing own case load, no nights weekends or holidays! But I don't know if I'd regret it.

OP posts:

kitcat15 · 26/03/2022 16:52

@Themumroom1991

Thanks for the reply 😊

I've been qualified 8 years. How long have you been qualified?

There's loads of social prescribing jobs about recently and I love the idea of not too much pressure, managing own case load, no nights weekends or holidays! But I don't know if I'd regret it.

Have you considered community nurse with school health team or Health visitor team or imms team? 9 to 5 ...no weekends ....band 6s carry all the complex stuff

Babyroobs · 26/03/2022 17:02

I went for an interview for a social prescriber job a few weeks ago and it was a band 5. I left nursing a few years ago for a job paying less than a band 4, was desperate to get out.

Autumn42 · 26/03/2022 17:14

I’ve know quite a few people to switch to a lower band job and they’ve been a lot happier, but would still keep your options open. Could you stay on the bank where you are now and so still do the odd bank shift alongside your new job? Just to keep your registration, you never know what opportunities might come up in the future and with the odd bank shift alongside your new job you’ll probably find your not actually that much worse off after tax etc

Steelesauce · 26/03/2022 17:23

Depends on where your issues within nursing lie I guess. I went into private sector and moved up to get out of the long shifts, shit pay and weekends. If you're finding it stressful and relentless then maybe a move down will benefit.

Babyroobs · 26/03/2022 17:24

@Autumn42

I’ve know quite a few people to switch to a lower band job and they’ve been a lot happier, but would still keep your options open. Could you stay on the bank where you are now and so still do the odd bank shift alongside your new job? Just to keep your registration, you never know what opportunities might come up in the future and with the odd bank shift alongside your new job you’ll probably find your not actually that much worse off after tax etc

I wish I had kept my registration up although don't think I would have wanted to do bank work. I'm about to start a job which pays 24k so not too much lower than a bottom band 5. The main problem I've found is that the sector I have moved into ( advice work in the charity sector), is that it's just never permanent. It's always fixed term contracts that run for a year or two.

Original poster

Themumroom1991 · 26/03/2022 17:27

Would definitely do bank to keep it just in case 😊

Reasons for wanting to leave I've just had 2 children in 3 years so wanting more sociable hours for them and the idea of going to a band 6/7 never appealed to me. Not keen on going back to uni, being in charge or prescribing doesn't interest me.

It's a big thing to give up though isn't it after you've worked so hard!

OP posts:

TheLoupGarou · 26/03/2022 17:30

Watching thread with interest. I'm qualified 8 years and also planning my exit. I want out of healthcare completely though - am considering my options.

Babyroobs · 26/03/2022 17:32

@Themumroom1991

Would definitely do bank to keep it just in case 😊

Reasons for wanting to leave I've just had 2 children in 3 years so wanting more sociable hours for them and the idea of going to a band 6/7 never appealed to me. Not keen on going back to uni, being in charge or prescribing doesn't interest me.

It's a big thing to give up though isn't it after you've worked so hard!

It is hard to give up but I doubt you will regret it. I had four kids in seven years but spent most of their early childhood up until they were teens working weekends and nights around dh. I missed out on so much and was so knackered all the time that I missed a lot and my mental health suffered. If I had my time again, I would look for a job with regular hours and where I could get a good nights sleep each night, even if it meant sucking up childcare costs. Like I said I do regret giving up my registration, I only did because I landed a full time job and knew I wouldn't be able to do any bank work.

TheLoupGarou · 26/03/2022 17:34

I retrained as a nurse in my early 30's so I totally understand where you are coming from in relation to having worked so hard to qualify - there's just no way I can do this until I retire.

Autumn42 · 26/03/2022 17:47

@Themumroom1991

Would definitely do bank to keep it just in case 😊

Reasons for wanting to leave I've just had 2 children in 3 years so wanting more sociable hours for them and the idea of going to a band 6/7 never appealed to me. Not keen on going back to uni, being in charge or prescribing doesn't interest me.

It's a big thing to give up though isn't it after you've worked so hard!

Definitely consider part time community/practice/OP nursing? I would say health visiting and have friends that love it but it’s apparently a very tough course and not what you need at the moment with the little ones. I left my job when older one was very little which definitely best thing at time. Did a mixture of lower band jobs and bank for the next few years. It was more than worth it for the better family life balance but tbh I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it as much as my previous role. Bank was good for experience gained but often nerve wracking and not the same as being part of team and knowing where everything is etc. Glad however stayed on bank and kept registration as now as back in a permanent position, same as my old role but much better hours and conditions, very fast paced and stressful at times unfortunately like most NHS similar roles but I absolutely love the job overall and fits in much better with the family.

Mermaidwaves · 27/03/2022 14:11

MH nurse here, qualified 10 years and am about to start a new role as a care coordinator with social services, I will not be renewing my pin. I'm terrified but I'm not going in as a qualified anything which is a relief to be honest and I will be working office hours, no more more nights or weekends! I'm aware there will be new stresses but having to cover double and triple shifts will be over, I dont think I will ever want to return to nursing.

Original poster

Themumroom1991 · 30/03/2022 09:39

Autumn - I applied for a school nurse post but wasn't successful unfortunately! But it's something I would revisit in the future. I know what you mean about the bank, it's hard being on a unit you don't know well with staff you haven't worked with before! Thanks for the advice.

Mermaid - so glad you found what works for you! It's hard for sure. I'm sure there's some gorgeous places to work in nursing it's just finding them that's the problem!!

OP posts:

Autumn42 · 31/03/2022 21:28

@Themumroom1991

Autumn - I applied for a school nurse post but wasn't successful unfortunately! But it's something I would revisit in the future. I know what you mean about the bank, it's hard being on a unit you don't know well with staff you haven't worked with before! Thanks for the advice.

Mermaid - so glad you found what works for you! It's hard for sure. I'm sure there's some gorgeous places to work in nursing it's just finding them that's the problem!!

Yes there’s are definitely pros and cons to working on the bank, if you can do bank work in the same field as your previous permanent position it’s not too bad. Some areas will be supportive in training you up but others are less supportive and welcoming. Would definitely recommend it if you can find something that fits though, tend to be very appreciated on a nice ward and so gain good experience and still have access to training etc