Ever feel like you're just existing?

minimoneysaver

Are you sure it is just your career that is the problem? x

jennyc85

lavandergirl wrote: »

can you apply for a career break and go travelling?

I have enquired about this and was basically told I would have to quit if I wanted more than 2 weeks in a stretch off..

jennyc85

minimoneysaver wrote: »

Are you sure it is just your career that is the problem? x

No I don't think it is just my career.. I think it's the whole lifestyle.. I want a change but I don't know how/what.. just feel like there's more out there.. I'm happy with my partner & love him very much.. I wouldn't say no to a few more friends but again that goes with the nature of the job.. I am close to my family although they live a 5 hour drive away.

I think I can probably pin it down to the fact that I used to be a bit of a wild child out partying all the time, and now i've outgrown it, and everyone else my age seems to be travelling the world or having children, and I am doing neither, just existing in suburbia on the treadmill of life!

Netwizard

jennyc85 wrote: »

I have enquired about this and was basically told I would have to quit if I wanted more than 2 weeks in a stretch off..

I would certainly seek clarification via HR that this is correct. Our trust certainly has a policy on career breaks and policies for maternity leave and leave for special, personal and family reasons.

Saying you would have to quit sounds like rubbish!

Its funny how I could be writing the OP's posts as I really feel the same. Glad this topic has come up, its reassuring to know i'm not the only one that feels like this!

My qualifications were gained 12 odd years ago now back in college in I.T (I did some GCSE's then an AVCE). However, on completing college, I was in that catch 22 where I couldn't get a job without experience and couldn't get experience without a job, so I ended up where I am now, sitting here at half past midnight, doing the same old monotonous tasks as every other night!

I also feel that friendships are slipping away. During my 4 weeks off, I only saw one of my friends and that was only briefly. Everyone else is either busy or working. No-one asked me round for a cuppa and a chat, not even for an hour, however, I might be part responsible for this, as during a run of nights, I just can't get myself up and about during the day! If I get to bed at 8am, I need my 8 hours at least!

Anyway, sorry for the thread hijack. Its reassuring to know i'm not the only one feeling like this! However, certainly check with HR regarding career breaks. I have one or two friends working at another hospital, and they are also allowed career breaks.

Souk08

Was going to mention my friend Little Boots' experiences and travels but I see she's beat me to it

My sister is a nurse and she has worked all over the world. She literally got a nursing magazine and looked at the jobs, had a phone interview and went. She's now been in Oz for 10 years and had a great life. Would your partner be up for a move?

She was stuck working all the weekends and nights in her last job so moved to a private hospital where she now has three weeks off over Xmas at the height of their summer and only works Monday to Friday. It's more basic operations and not wildly exciting to her but it lets her do lots of her own stuff so for her, it's worth it. She did her time for nearly two decades before that of doing all sorts of odd shifts so she feels no guilt at doing this now.

Could you look at other hospitals/wards etc as I know that some are better than others with shift patterns etc? Even just getting your rotas earlier is a great help in planning to see friends.

I wish I had the stomach for nursing as I'd have loved to have gone all over the place with it but I have to have a lie down if I catch a glimpse of Casualty so it's a no go :rotfl:

FWIW I gave up a permanent job for a temp one a few years back and after a bump in the road all is well now. I don't need to consider maternity benefits and the like though but not sure you do yet either if you want to travel first.

Give it a bit of thought but tell yourself that once your decision is made, that's it. No going back and no listening to negatives. You're right. We only get one life.

Camillia_Chubb

I work in a busy A&E dept as a HCA and can empathise with you. I wouldn't become a qualified nurse for a gold clock! The pressure is immense. Conditions are getting more dangerous by the day with massive workload and not enough staff. If anything goes wrong it becomes a finger pointing blamefest.

The nursing colleagues I work beside are beginning to feel this burned out existence like you OP and now we have 3 members of staff who have left recently to join an agency. They are making more money, are in charge of their own rota and once again feel motivated about their jobs. Each of them have said that after the initial scary step they are so glad they left. The good thing is we still see them, working alongside us but for more money haha!

I know one agency nurse who works like a trooper and earns around £6,000 a month and then gives herself a month off every now and then for travelling. Another couple of nurses have joined the cruise ships. Someone told me the other day that one such nurse saved up £10,000 after a 3 month stint. Others have moved to Oz and never looked back.

Good luck, hope you can get some ideas off everyone and enjoy new adventures!

jennyc85

Thanks again to all who have taken the time to reply and share their experiences! A few people have mentioned relocating permanently.. It's something a fancied a few years ago but now wouldn't want to be too far from my family long term. I love the idea of working like a trooper for a while them taking a month off!