New job not as expected

[pancakes222]

Recently made a leap to maternity after years of being unhappy as PA/HR and was so proud of myself for doing so. I'm on the public health advisory side rather than clinical but thought it would be a step in the right direction. Now I'm in, I'm realising the impact of pay cut to band 3 and also feel so lonely! People don't turn up to appointments, I'm in a room by myself for my clinic, no one talks to me as they are all so busy while I'm twiddling my thumbs but I'm unable to help them as I don't have any clinical training. I have a friend in maternity assistant who loves her job and I think I would too but I don't think I can take a further pay cut down to band 2 where I would end up earning in a day what my DH earns in an hour! plus paying all the extra childcare needed for long shifts rather than my current 9-5. My DH has been supportive but I can't help feel guilty whenever there are money worries with all the increasing day to day costs. I really enjoy being with the women when they actually show and being in the hospital but I don't know how to improve current situation or what direction to try and aim for now while taking into account money too

I took a pay cut but I knew there was the chance for progression. If you know it's not enough money then I'm not sure what the answer would be.?

I know I feel stuck. I made such a song and dance about how amazing it would be and how proud I was to be putting job satisfaction before money but obviously things are getting harder now with all the inflations. Don't get me wrong, things are doable but I just don't think I could drop anymore and it's frustrating that that's the job that I seem to want to get! I suppose the only option is to wait the current one out a bit longer and see if it improves? I just feel a bit disheartened I suppose.

Is there anyone at work you could talk to? Perhaps if you explained, they might have something you could get involved with for when there are no shows?

I've been there. I took a pay cut to do something different and made a huge song and dance about it, and told everyone what a great idea it was. It turned out to be the opposite. I ended up going back to what I did before.

It's never too late to change your mind and do something else.

@User1406 how did you find going back to what you did before? Did you still have the same frustrations as whatever made you leave before or did you have a fresh look on things going back again?

Still similar frustrations unfortunately but I went back with a different mindset, and that changed everything. I focused more on just doing the best I could, leaving work issues at the office door, and focusing on the financial security I now had again.

This all happened a while back now but I believe I made the right choice. Ultimately, costs are rising at the moment and I just couldn't justify earning less money for a role that I didn't even enjoy. I could also see that progression would be slow back to the top.

It's always hard going back to where you were before but that one decision could make a huge impact on your life. Don't let your ego stop you from what is best for you and your family.