Career Change

[Vee6]

Hi everyone. I am stuck in a bit of a rut. I've been a nurse for over a decade, I have tried to progress over the last two years with no joy. Very few jobs come up, and i've had a couple of interviews that i was unsuccessful with. I am in my mid 30s with small children, so i have limited flexability. I have no qualifications outside of nursing, other than GCSEs and A levels. I just need a change. And I would have no problem leaving nursing for that change. Leaving would involve a big pay cut initially. I've accepted that. However there doesn't seem to be any way in other jobs at the lowest entry level without qualifications.
Does anyone have any advice?

 

[BettyCrocker]

Hi everyone. I am stuck in a bit of a rut. I've been a nurse for over a decade, I have tried to progress over the last two years with no joy. Very few jobs come up, and i've had a couple of interviews that i was unsuccessful with. I am in my mid 30s with small children, so i have limited flexability. I have no qualifications outside of nursing, other than GCSEs and A levels. I just need a change. And I would have no problem leaving nursing for that change. Leaving would involve a big pay cut initially. I've accepted that. However there doesn't seem to be any way in other jobs at the lowest entry level without qualifications.
Does anyone have any advice?

do you have any idea what it is you would like to do?? There are lots of very entry level jobs you could do but would you want to?

 

[Suzesnooze]

Hi everyone. I am stuck in a bit of a rut. I've been a nurse for over a decade, I have tried to progress over the last two years with no joy. Very few jobs come up, and i've had a couple of interviews that i was unsuccessful with. I am in my mid 30s with small children, so i have limited flexability. I have no qualifications outside of nursing, other than GCSEs and A levels. I just need a change. And I would have no problem leaving nursing for that change. Leaving would involve a big pay cut initially. I've accepted that. However there doesn't seem to be any way in other jobs at the lowest entry level without qualifications.
Does anyone have any advice?

Could you go into the Management side? My friend was a Nurse but then became a Bed Manager and then kept progressing and is now office based in the NHS in the Management side?

 

[Lola UK]

What about becoming a health visitor? I would like to do that!

 

[Vee6]

There hasn’t been any mangement jobs that have come up over the last couple of years.
I would love to be a health visitor! I have looked into it before, to do it part time would be over two years...The nearest place for training and therefore the placements is Bristol, which isn’t particularly near. And i would have to work as well to pay the bills.

 

[Platypusfattypus]

Following with interest. I'm a mw and am not sure it's what I want to do for the rest of my life. But I also have the same issue, not sure what I want to do.

 

[bluebell22]

If you don’t want to entirely leave healthcare you could go back to uni and do a top up degree to become a midwife?
Just had a quick google and found this page, not sure if will be useful? https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/nursing

 

[Lola UK]

I would like to be come a health visitor but it would be 4 years studying

 

[mermaidexoxo]

Could you stay in the NHS but go into the admin side of things? I have a few family members who work in admin for NHS and say the work life balance, holiday allowance and sick leave are so much better than other regular office/admin companies.
But do whatever feels right for you, it’s better to go into something you love. Good luck x

 

[Tor88]

My sister was a nurse, she’s now a DWP PIP assessor. Lots of interviews and write ups but a £10,000 pay rise. May be worth looking into. They like to hire nurses and people with medical backgrounds as you’d understand the customers ailments

 

[Norfolking Good]

Could you go down the Practice Educator route? I work in Education in the NHS and ours are a mix of nurses, OT and Social Workers. It seems very diverse and in our Trust is now a B7 post plus you’d be helping students and a bit of teaching.

 

[actuallyeducated]

What about teaching? Could you teach the nursing course at a college/uni? My friend was a school nurse and recently did the 1 year teacher PGED course to become a primary teacher.

 

[theghosttown]

Jumping on this thread too! I’m in a very well paid job and I’m making a career change which will involve roughly a £18k pay cut. I am in the recruitment process for a youth justice worker for the prison service and I have an application out an accelerated detective constable role within the police.

You have a great foundation with your qualifications!!! I have 5 GCSEs (not including maths) and it really hindered my in my quest for a change in direction.

Would you look into paramedicine?

 

[ponyta]

If you are interested in any other allied health field (physio, radiographer, midwife, occupational therapy etc) you will be eligible for more funding to pursue another degree. I know it's not ideal getting more student loans etc but a great option if it's something you're interested in.

 

[Vee6]

Hi guys. Sorry I haven’t replied, I wasn’t getting notifications for this thread. Will have a proper read through now

 

[Vee6]

All good suggestions, the problem is the jobs just aren't coming up. I wouldn't be any good at teaching, not for me at all.
I quite fancy being a PA. I want to look nice at work for a change, swan around looking important

 

[Lumpfish]

Hi everyone. I am stuck in a bit of a rut. I've been a nurse for over a decade, I have tried to progress over the last two years with no joy. Very few jobs come up, and i've had a couple of interviews that i was unsuccessful with. I am in my mid 30s with small children, so i have limited flexability. I have no qualifications outside of nursing, other than GCSEs and A levels. I just need a change. And I would have no problem leaving nursing for that change. Leaving would involve a big pay cut initially. I've accepted that. However there doesn't seem to be any way in other jobs at the lowest entry level without qualifications.
Does anyone have any advice?

Oh my god! This is me! I’m a nurse too and can’t stand it, I even moved from clinical to community doing the SCPHN 0-19 training and it’s even worse, it’s all safeguarding based and awful. I don’t know what to do.

 

[G1983]

Don't you think there should be more accessible adult career advisors! I'm potentially making a huge career change soon at the age of 37

I think when you are young you aren't always in the right position to make the right choices!

It's really scary taking the plunge but I'm just telling myself I can always go back if I need to! Good
Luck with your search

 

[Lola UK]

Don't you think there should be more accessible adult career advisors! I'm potentially making a huge career change soon at the age of 37

I think when you are young you aren't always in the right position to make the right choices!

It's really scary taking the plunge but I'm just telling myself I can always go back if I need to! Good
Luck with your search

I agree! What career are you going into? I think it’s crazy that we ask 16/17 to decide on their future so young.

 

[TruffleTrifle]

Following with interest. Currently working in merchandising which I do enjoy but recently the stress is relentless, getting a pay rise or promotion is ridiculously difficult and competitive and work life balance is zero.

Jumping on this thread too! I’m in a very well paid job and I’m making a career change which will involve roughly a £18k pay cut. I am in the recruitment process for a youth justice worker for the prison service and I have an application out an accelerated detective constable role within the police.

You have a great foundation with your qualifications!!! I have 5 GCSEs (not including maths) and it really hindered my in my quest for a change in direction.

Would you look into paramedicine?

Can I ask how you got to the detective constable process?