Feeling trapped in NHS role and unsure what to do next!

Klippety

Purplelady65 said:

Klippety said:

Marcon said:

Klippety said:

bobblebob said:

I work in the NHS. There are many issues as an employee as you have stated some of them, but its great to progress your career

We have staff on Band 3 who have progressed to Band 5, 6 and beyond within a short period of time. Lots of transferable skills and always lots of jobs out there on internal notice boards

There are plenty of jobs in the NHS, but to jump from my current Band 4 to a Band 5 they expect an awful lot for the extra £800 a year in my trust.

There's certainly no such thing as a free lunch given what they expect for the miniscule pay rise. 

But would you enjoy the job more? Would it enhance your future career prospects if you had a Band 5 job?

Absolutely not to both questions. 

I’m not sure why you think obtaining a Band 5 position would not enhance your future career prospects. I work in the NHS. It’s very hierarchical, everyone know what band everyone else is on and roles are often referred to as a band x job etc. However a Band 5 role is more likely to lead to a Band 6 role then a Band 7 role e.t.c. So from that perspective it would enhance your job prospects. 

Due to the apprenticeship levy the NHS has significantly increased the number of apprenticeships over recent years with many existing staff studying for qualifications via an apprenticeship. Are there any apprenticeship courses that would be of interest to you? Maybe contact the apprenticeship co-ordinator in your Trust to see what might be possible. That way you could gain a qualification while you continue working. 

The suggestion by OP of looking at the vacancies on the Civil Service website is a good one as that open you up to job possibilities outside of healthcare. 

The offer of free apprenticeships for NHS staff is really good. I am just unsure what I would choose to do as the apprenticeship needs to be relevant to your role. 

Greylocks

Life is short - no good getting to 60 wondering about “what ifs”. 

Get yourself to night school and get some paper qualifications.
Or maybe start your own business - Foot Health Practitioners seem quite busy around my area.
Taking a small risk now is likely to reap dividends in more ways than one.
Best of luck, G.

Klippety

Greylocks said:

Life is short - no good getting to 60 wondering about “what ifs”. 

Get yourself to night school and get some paper qualifications.
Or maybe start your own business - Foot Health Practitioners seem quite busy around my area.
Taking a small risk now is likely to reap dividends in more ways than one.
Best of luck, G.

Are Foot Health Practitioners the same as Podiatrists? 

Marcon

Klippety said:

Greylocks said:

Life is short - no good getting to 60 wondering about “what ifs”. 

Get yourself to night school and get some paper qualifications.
Or maybe start your own business - Foot Health Practitioners seem quite busy around my area.
Taking a small risk now is likely to reap dividends in more ways than one.
Best of luck, G.

Are Foot Health Practitioners the same as Podiatrists? 

No. https://cofh.org.uk/

Klippety

Greylocks said:

Life is short - no good getting to 60 wondering about “what ifs”. 

Get yourself to night school and get some paper qualifications.
Or maybe start your own business - Foot Health Practitioners seem quite busy around my area.
Taking a small risk now is likely to reap dividends in more ways than one.
Best of luck, G.

Thanks for the advice and good luck message. It would be nice to be able to start my own business, but I have no idea what kind of business I could run. 

Sarahspangles

I haven’t read the whole thread so this may have been suggested.

Project roles, often available for secondment, are a low risk way to try out working in new areas in large organisations. I’d expect applications from Band 4 for Band 4 or 5 Project Assistant roles. There is some administrative content, but you’re likely to need to use your initiative more. It’s a chance to use transferable knowledge as well as skills, such as procurement. You come into contact with new people and are more likely to be considered for a wider range of roles with this on your CV. If an employer doesn’t put you through a relevant qualification, you can take project assistant qualifications independently.

Klippety

Sarahspangles said:

I haven’t read the whole thread so this may have been suggested.

Project roles, often available for secondment, are a low risk way to try out working in new areas in large organisations. I’d expect applications from Band 4 for Band 4 or 5 Project Assistant roles. There is some administrative content, but you’re likely to need to use your initiative more. It’s a chance to use transferable knowledge as well as skills, such as procurement. You come into contact with new people and are more likely to be considered for a wider range of roles with this on your CV. If an employer doesn’t put you through a relevant qualification, you can take project assistant qualifications independently.

Would it be worth undertaking a PRINCE2 or Agile project management course or are they only useful qualifications if you have extensive project management experience?

Sarahspangles

Klippety said:

Sarahspangles said:

I haven’t read the whole thread so this may have been suggested.

Project roles, often available for secondment, are a low risk way to try out working in new areas in large organisations. I’d expect applications from Band 4 for Band 4 or 5 Project Assistant roles. There is some administrative content, but you’re likely to need to use your initiative more. It’s a chance to use transferable knowledge as well as skills, such as procurement. You come into contact with new people and are more likely to be considered for a wider range of roles with this on your CV. If an employer doesn’t put you through a relevant qualification, you can take project assistant qualifications independently.

Would it be worth undertaking a PRINCE2 or Agile project management course or are they only useful qualifications if you have extensive project management experience?

A Foundation course is really useful when you’re starting out, while the full Practitioner course makes more sense when you’ve had some experience. Ideally, find out if there is a methodology your employer uses. The best scenario is that you try a secondment, enjoy it and your employer sponsors you to get the qualifications. That’s how I started out.

SandyShores

I would always look at job enrichment first, is there anything else you can take on or learn.  Can you get involved in  staff groups or become a union rep.  Do you have volunteer days where you could try something out, or do some studying part-time.  I've done various of the above, and its amazing how it can change how you feel at work, and even give you skills and motivation to get a new job.