How do I get back into the NHS?

milliemonster

I am a qualified nurse with 12 years post reg experience, however I left the NHS 5 years ago for a medical sales role in private industry. In Sept last year I moved to a company nearer my home as a promotion, but for various reasons this job is not working out, so much so that it is making me ill and I am at the point of resigning even though I don't have a job to go to. I have been looking for the last 7 months for a new job but there has been nothing suitable that I am qualified to do (apart from nursing!), other jobs I have applied for that are similar to what I am doing now I have not even gained an interview for.

I have for some time (6 months) wanted to go back to the NHS, I have to do a return to practice courses to re register as a nurse which I have applied for, but due to the funding cuts, uni doesn't know if this course is now going to go ahead in Sept as planned. This means I could be waiting another year.

In the meantime I have been applying for a couple of jobs back in the NHS but have been unsuccessful (these were both part time caring jobs), mainly I think as I do not have recent experience.

Can anyone give me any advice on how I can get back into the NHS? I am getting desperate and need to get out of my current job. I am currently wanting a healthcare assistants role more than anything as this will give me the experience I need in prep for my return to practice course.

I don't have the time to do any volunteering, my job is 9-5.30 but is 1hr 30mins away from home (I was told I was home based but am now required to be office based, this is one of the reasons I need to leave) and even then my manager frequently rings me in the evenings. I have 2 children, childcare for this job is now a nightmare and so what little time I do have in the evening or weekend I really need to be with them.

I have to finish this job as it is making me ill with the demands my manager places on me. But I am worried that I am going to make it even more difficult to find another job once I am unemployed, although I would then use this time to volunteer/study in the interim.

Please help, I am going mad!

bryanb

There are often jobs in nursing homes etc, not well paid but could be a way in.

Morgan_Ree

Have you approached the bank office at your local hospital?

I don't know about yours but mine is always advertising for bank HCA's. Some require 6 months exp but it's worth a try.
They are always much quicker to respond to an application rather than going for say a HCA job one one specific ward.

Swifteaves

milliemonster wrote: »

this job is not working out, so much so that it is making me ill and I am at the point of resigning even though I don't have a job to go to...

I have to finish this job as it is making me ill with the demands my manager places on me. But I am worried that I am going to make it even more difficult to find another job once I am unemployed, although I would then use this time to volunteer/study in the interim.

It's so very hard out there at the moment. Probably worse than the government is letting on. You really need to think very carefully before resigning.

Have you thought about taking stress leave? This would give you time to think about what options you have? What about signing on with a specialised nursing agency?

Working in a job that is making you ill is no fun, I know, but the alternative (making 000s of job applications, being rejected, signing on, filling out forms, being hassled by job centre advisers) is no walk in the park either.

milliemonster

Swifteaves wrote: »

It's so very hard out there at the moment. Probably worse than the government is letting on. You really need to think very carefully before resigning.

Have you thought about taking stress leave? This would give you time to think about what options you have? What about signing on with a specialised nursing agency?

Working in a job that is making you ill is no fun, I know, but the alternative (making 000s of job applications, being rejected, signing on, filling out forms, being hassled by job centre advisers) is no walk in the park either.

Yes I know, I have been feeling like this since xmas and have been looking for another job since then without success and yes I would much rather have one to go to rather than just resign.

If I took stress leave I think they would finish me anyway. I have not had a day off sick since I started this job last Sept but last Thursday I could not make it into the office for a meeting and had to work from home due to my 7 yr old son being sick during the night and he was unable to go to the breakfast club (and then school), I offered to reschedule the meeting for Friday instead (as my oh would be at home then to look after him) my boss was not happy at all, he refused the friday meeting, rescheduled the meeting for this wed whilst telling me he has cancelled his time off to accommodate me and has told me categorically this meeting must not be cancelled on Wed under any circumstances.

I cannot work like this, there is no flexibility, no support and no leeway for anything. My boss is married to his job, has no family or other committments. I have always given 100% to every job I have done which has fortunately meant I have never been out of work, but sometimes things crop up when you have kids and I am sorry but my family will always come first. I had spent all week in the office up until Thursday anyway when I was employed as home based!

I have previously applied for NHS Professionals as a carer but they want 3 months recent experience which I don't have. I am considering just asking at my local nursing home but not sure if this is such a good move

Dumyat

I can only speak for my trust but there is a sort of job freeze on at the moment. Jobs that fall vacant are to be offered to others who are being re-deployed due to rationalisation of services. In my husband's unit the staffing levels have been reduced from 4 staff nurses a shift to 3. (do not believe the government spin about no front line cutbacks) At the moment there is a glut of newly qualified nurses too. Most of those who I have spoken to are working in care homes, or taking their chances on the NHS nurse bank. You might have more luck in the care home market, it seems to be the only area round here recruiting.

f1re_cr4cker

here are the names of a few places that dont require immediate experience
http://www.blueribboncare.org.uk/jobs.php

http://www.lcdisability.org/?lid=99

http://www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk/work/

http://carebureau.co.uk/employment