Do I Leave NHS Job?

[FooFighter77]

Hi, I have been in the NHS for over 28 years (I went part time after having my daughter 8 years ago) and am wanting advice as to whether I should leave.

I have been off ill with anxiety and depression for a few months now and work is a massive contributor to this.

It is certainly not the place is used to be and going into work fills me with dread.

I have my own dog walking business that I do in the days I'm not at the NHS and would love to do this full time. It makes my mental health so much better.

But, I'm so concerned it's the wrong decision as people are saying that the NHS pension is so good and i should not let it go.

Can anyone please give me any thoughts or advice?

Can you make a living form dog walking, can you do without holiday pay, sick pay, pe sion etc?
What band are you, clinical or not?

If you have been paying into the NHS pension for 28 years, even part time, you must have a reasonable pension pot, Op? What does your annual award statement say about your pension?

I can make a decent living out of my dog walking and I'd be so much happier.

I am a band 5 in the NHS.

I was thinking of maybe taking out a private pension but everyone tells me that nothing matches the NHS one.

It doesn't help (I must admit!) that I'm not very clued up about pensions. I do have a decent amount in my pension but I'm not sure how leaving would affect this.

If you're a nurse I'd keep your pin by doing bank, just incase you ever need to go back.

How many hours are you currently doing? Could you cut another day and increase the dog walking hours- thereby not cutting the NHS completely?
Could you move to another department/ward or another hospital? A private hospital or similar?
Only you know you circumstances, whether you could live off the dog walking alone etc. Could you give an idea of the type of role you have, because we might be able to suggest alternatives.

As a recently retired NHS nurse, I would advise keeping your current job on very reduced hours, if you possibly can. The pension, the lump sum and the monthly income, is definitely worth hanging onto. If you're a nurse, register with the bank, and do one shift a month, just get your practice hours in for revalidation. Spend the rest of your life doing what you love. When you get to be an old lady like me, you'll be glad you kept paying into the pension scheme.

You need to speak to your pensions rep - you can find this out from your trust HR dept. Speak to them about the current situation with your pension, and then run through the impact on it if you were to leave or reduce hours etc.

But yes to be honest, I would leave. No job is worth being unhappy for.

I'm going to be the voice of dissent here and say no pension is worth sacrificing your health for. But then I let my PIN lapse without a second thought after leaving the NHS. I did my time and after 28 years, maybe you've done yours too. It's worth checking your NHS pension to see what you have already too to reassure you.

Do bank work as others have suggested. Your anxiety and depression will just get worse if you remain.

I left within 5 years of getting my degree. It was awful.

What is your current pension projection, you need to get that and what is your housing situation?

Public sector pensions are so much better than any private pension. Pensions could be taken from age 55 but I think this is raising to 57. I assume you are close to 50. The longer you can leave it the better. I took mine at 55 but had 35 years contributions.

Look at money saving expert for the basics.https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/discount-pensions/

Thanks for all of your comments,
I work 25 hours a week in the lab and it used to be such a lovely place. Now I'm just a number and the politics are ridiculous.

There are so many 'manager's' for one thing and another, and it's not about the patients any more. It's run like a business.

I get the impression from my boss that they won't let me reduce my hours.
I really want to get out but it is my pension that is worrying me.

Thanks for all your comments and advice too, they are very much appreciated!

Maybe you could move into a different role within the NHS, keep your service going, keep the pension etc, but get out of your current lab?

I'm band 5 non clinical. I can make a living dog walking, but my husband is not keen on me leaving my NHS job which makes it such a more difficult decision

I am non clinical and not sure if they would take me on as bank.

My job is so specific that there are no other labs nearby. I have also lost a lot of confidence.and would dread going for interviews etc.
I have always wanted a job with animals so I am.l followimg my dream, it's just at what cost as my NHS job is my security blanket.

Just leave, get a private pension. Save well.

Imagine living to a ripe old age, looking back on your life. What mattered most- your mental health for the next 30 years (I'm guessing you're about 50?) or having that extra income when you retire?

Figure out your nhs pension forecast & take it from there.
It should be a decent amount.

Getting a pension statement in the NHS is pretty easy, and if you've done 28 years already you may be pleasantly surprised at how much you’ve accrued. https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/member-hub/getting-estimate-your-pension

Add in your State Pension, and make sure you carry on paying NI to the maximum. That’s another ~£12k a year. It may be very doable.

i would look into your pension projection before you make a decision but there’s no point staying for your pension if the job destroys your mental health.

I’m clinical NHS but planning to leave my substantive post to just do bank in 2 years. My job is destroying my health so no way I am staying long term.

Lovely that you have something to move towards, I hope you can make it work.

You need to make a plan so you can decide

firstly see how much your pension is worth- speak to an independent financial advisor and your work place pension advisor.
secondly, you say you don’t think your manager will be keen for you to drop hours but have you actually asked? Have that conversation and then you may be in a better position to decide.

ideally cut hours to 18. Then build up your dog walking business.