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Original poster

NHS job, stay away from the NHS?

13 replies

Conniethecatapillar · 18/07/2023 21:07

Hello! I am after some advice regarding working for the NHS. I currently work from home in a creative role, it is really flexible and I can basically come and go as I please but there isn't much room for progression and I'm not sure I can see myself working there until retirement, which is a long way off for me.

I have an interview coming up for the NHS in a creative role which also offers some extra qualifications within the role but everything I've read says no stay away from the NHS, it's an awful place to work etc etc.

I like the fact I'm around for the kids at the moment but if I look into the future 10 years time I don't know if I'll be bored of working from home and it might be nice to go out and see people in a work setting rather than just my lovely cat.

Anyway I'm just sounding out my thoughts here and any insight would be greatly appreciated, especially if you're on the other side of young kids and what you would do!

OP posts:

Layzees · 18/07/2023 21:09

I'm sure if it's a creative managerial/higher type role you'll be fine. They basically work from home, get promoted and slag off the clinicians all day so don't worry. :)

TobyTuesday · 18/07/2023 21:11

The thing is, the NHS is actually loads of different organisations, some of which are great to work for, some not so. There are lots of benefits to working "for the NHS" such as increments, pension, sick pay etc, but things like atmosphere, progression prospects, support etc can vary massively depending on which trust you work for.

Layzees · 18/07/2023 21:12

Sorry op, that's just my beef.

I think if you want progression then there is a grain of truth in my crappy reply. Progression doesn't really work the same in the nhs as other places, you just have to keep applying for new roles each time to move up. But if you want to wfh then yes creative (not sure what that means in nhs - is it patient experience type thing?) then that'll be fine; they all work from home in our trust and they hate the clinical staff, it's almost like they'd like a job on 60-80k but without the people they work for.

Layzees · 18/07/2023 21:13

And I've read my reply and it sounds sarcastic again.

Sorry op, bad day listening to a load of bollocks.

Wishing you best of luck and I say go for it.

hazelnutlatte · 18/07/2023 21:15

I currently work for the NHS in a really flexible role, but I have previously worked for the NHS in a really unflexible role so it's impossible to say! I can't think of many jobs in the NHS where you would get to be creative though, there are usually 17 layers of bureaucracy to go through before you can implement the smallest change anywhere.

Digestive28 · 18/07/2023 21:15

It is huge - so as PP said it will largely depend on your immediate manager, their manager maybe and the trust maybe. There is many benefits - discounts on things, good flexible working etc. and most people are there because they want to help people at their time of need - even if they are bogged down by the system (and sometimes bitter as a result) it’s lovely working with people whose core values are kindness and care

UniversalTruth · 18/07/2023 21:15

My opinion - the biggest problem in the NHS is lack of clinical staffing to provide safe care. I wouldn't think this would apply to communication/patient experience type roles.

AnnaMagnani · 18/07/2023 21:15

'The NHS' depends entirely on your role, your team, your manager and your trust.

It isn't one place, it's many many places although there are similarities, the biggest thing is always your immediate team.

CindersAgain · 18/07/2023 21:16

My bit of the NHS is fine, I’ve worked in three different departments and everyone has been good to work with. The pension is very good.

Original poster

Conniethecatapillar · 18/07/2023 21:17

Thanks all - it sounds like a lot depends on the area you work in. It would not be a work from home role and definitely not managerial!

OP posts:

nevynevster · 18/07/2023 21:18

So as Toby Tuesday said... the NHS is many different organisations so it all depends on exactly which bit of it you are going to work for. It can be amazingly rewarding and there can be lots of opportunities to do stuff that you can't get in the private sector. But there are also people who massively struggle and some areas are hopelessly underfunded and understaffed.
The pension side only really makes a difference if you stay a while, shorter term contracts don't even get the pension and so personally I'd discount it unless you see this as a long term option.

MotherofTeenDragons · 18/07/2023 21:19

@Layzees my God where do you work? Come and work at our trust!!! We love our clinicians. I’m a manager in communications (so quite a creative team with writing and design etc) and we have a number of hospitals so I work 2 days in one and 2 days in another with one day from home as my team is based across the county so I only see them all in person once a week. I love working in the NHS, the pace and the passion my colleagues all share. Majority of colleagues really do care about the patients and those patients are our families and friends because we live here. It’s hard for patients not to matter.

isitme111 · 19/07/2023 21:24

If the role involves working with patients its very likely to be inflexible as you will have patient appointments scheduled. Like others have said it also depends on the Trust you work for and the team. The team I worked for were generally lovely to work with but if flexibility is important to you I would advise you to check the role can offer this.

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