Moving from working in NHS to private sector

[DehydratedHousePlant]

Has anyone done this / considered it? I would welcome thoughts and experiences.

Nearly 20 years in NHS, been offered an equivalent job in private. Much more money (even taking into account pension difference). But will involve 6 months probation and losing the job security I currently have, longer commute, trickier childcare, and the stress of starting a New Job with unfamiliar systems and unknown colleagues (current colleagues and manager are lovely).

Both places have equal pros and cons / challenges in the actual clinical work and environment, not much in it to decide between them.

I'm not miserable in my current job, just a bit jaded and fed up. Though I could make more effort to shake things up.

I did this - the biggest difference will be the pension. The NHS pension is the equivalent of about 40% contribution from a private company - which obviously doesn’t happen!

I moved to private and now work for myself. I’m on less money once you take pension into account but I only work 3 days a week. No regrets personally.

Did this once in the UK. Absolutely detested the experience. Profits were but before quality, patient safety and common sense. There was also no job security and although promised career development any courses to support pdp were funded by myself. I returned to the NHS after 18months. Yes I earned more in private sector but that wasnt enough of a benefit to stay.

Did this also myself. Ended up moving back to the NHS for the job security but still had to do a 6 month probation when I went back to the NHS and probably will do if I move roles within the NHS again. Personally for me I found doing a probationary period scary in the private sector, just because they seemed in that particular workplace to be sacking people left, right and centre. The NHS isn't great admittedly but it does offer a degree of job security and the ability to move departments if one doesn't suit. Just my experience.

Thanks all. I appreciate the responses.

It initially seemed like a no-brainer with the big pay difference, but something is holding me back. I felt I might be being paranoid re job security and probationary periods but the replies suggest perhaps not.