Which job should I choose

[GabbyGabby15]

Hello name changed for this and details as brief as they can be as outing.

I'm a health care professional. Been offered 2 jobs, one in private practice, one in NHS. Both part time.

Private job pros:

A band increase

Clinical area I'm really excited about. Scope for more specialist training which I'm also excited about.

Hybrid working but days not set in stone - eg some days I would need to be more patient facing more than others it would just depend

Potential bonuses although no idea how that works

Lovely physical working environment

Cons:

I'm new to this role so would need a bit of training and hand holding at first.

Bit of a commute but see above re part time/hybrid

Only statutory benefits - pension, sick etc.

No scope at the moment to increase or change hours

NHS job:

Pros: local job

Not as exciting clinically but an area I'm familiar with

Pension, sick pay, security all associated with NHS

Not technically hybrid but I've been told I can do some bits from home - I can plan my diary and it seems quite flexible

Probably more scope for changing hours etc eventually as it's within NHS

Cons: a band below the first job - no further progression unless I get promoted and I've been feeling stuck on my band a while now!

It's a service which is heavily impacted by waiting lists and service pressures - I also think the nature of the role will mean it is potentially more stressful at times

It's in a clinical area I'm comfortable with but I wouldn't say as excited about as the other

Both teams seem lovely annoyingly!

I think my heart is saying the private one but my head is saying NHS.

Shameless bump as I need to decide quickly

Hi OP, I’m a doctor so not quite the same. However in your shoes I would go for the private job if it’s what you’re more excited about etc. TBH. Be brave and take the plunge into the unknown. I feel like this is mostly a fear of change situation holding you back. I suspect the NHS will still have jobs for you later on if it doesn’t work out or turns out to be not all it’s cracked up to be. The only thing is I would just make sure you know how coming out of NHS pension etc would affect your finances and understand what entitlement you have for sick pay etc in the private job (and make sure you contribute to a pension elsewhere).

Job 1 - assuming it’s more money! I have no idea about NHS pay/conditions - but for my last 10 working years I went for the money (and was able to retire earlier). I also found the more I earned the easier the job!

Thanks @Britneyfan definitely a fear of the unknown going on you are right! I know there is a pension but it looks pretty bog standard and there is only SSP which terrifies me a bit!

@MarjorieDanvers it's more money (but only marginally at first as I'm going from the top of one scale to the bottom of other, but this would increase in time). But the pension thing scares me as the NHS one is brilliant

A little bump for some more opinions x

How far off retirement are you? NHS pension is not to be sniffed at

I'm 40

Private, and negotiate. They can bring you in higher if they want to, it doesn't have to be the very bottom of the new band!

Very true and something I had forgotten @KentishMama !

Definitely private

Thanks @SophiaSW1 what made you go for that one?

It's what I did as a younger dr. It got me on the London property ladder in my 20s as each year's pay increase far exceeded anything the NHS was going to give me at that stage.

Private job, take the training they are offering and the enhanced pay, then if you decide to go back into the NHS at a future date you have a bargaining tool.

Thanks @SophiaSW1 and @viques wow it's looking pretty unanimous so far. I suppose you are right in that I'm not necessarily saying goodbye to the NHS forever although this particular role was attractive as it was the first one that came up in my area for ages - I can literally walk to work. But something about the other one just feels unique and exciting...

I’m mental health so it’s probably different but I’ve always stayed within the NHS. It’s a bit shit working in the NHS right now but I’m hoping I will be able to afford to go by 60 in 10 years so I’m staying for the pension now! And because I have max annual leave entitlement and have found a job I enjoy for now!

If I were your age and it was an exciting opportunity for progression, I would go for it in the private sector!

You can always go back to the NHS and the pension isn’t as good as it used to be anyway!

First job

And get financial advice on how much you need in your pension pot to match the NHS one.

As there are tax relief on contributions the employer is getting a cheaper over all cost if you claim the maximum untaxed pay element as they pay you nett and HMRC their cut.

Plus you upskill which makes you more marketable over the long term.

That's interesting. I'm definitely more of a risk averse person, and always usually opt for security and I do definitely want to be in a position where I can retire nearer to 60 than 70 that's for sure! You sound very much like me so I'm querying why I'm veering towards the other one 😂

That's very useful information thank you, I'll definitely seek some financial advice!

Another bump for the evening crowd....

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Looks as if you have to go with 1

Bump👀

Unless the private role pays a lot better, I’d say nhs. The annual leave allowance is usually higher , the nhs pension is still good, six months full sick pay etc. But I’m risk averse and think about worse case scenarios.

Potentially! Really hope it's what its cracked up to be!

It pays better as it's a promotion whereas the other is a side step. The holidays are the same, but the pension and sick pay is not.