Help me with some advice

surreymum_2

Hi eveyone

need some help and fresh eyes on deciding what to do.

I’m currently a receptionist and have been all my working life, I’m now 50 years old, I earn decent money, well decent for what I do.

I have thought about training to be a phlebotomist for some time and have now been offered a job with NHS band 2 part time role.

I would be taking a pay cut of around £800 a month which is a lot I know and not sure if long term even when qualified would earn that much more, well I would have to change trusts to do that, London pay more.

Just not sure if this is a good opportunity to miss to retrain or if should stick with what I do and have an easier life with more money.

We couldn’t afford the cut, just about just wouldn’t be able to save for a rainy day like we do now.

Any advice be great.

elsien

I guess it depends on your motivation for making the change and whether you think it would be more satisfying as a job?
And what sort of assets you have behind you now to provide a cushion.

surreymum_2

Thankyou for replying.

so hard to know what to do for the best.

Have some savings and little debt not nothing major, would mean we can’t save each month as we do at the moment and no holidays really as things would be right and all based on of qualify and then would have to get a job at another trust to be a higher banding.

Not sure if it was just something I wanted to do and feel like last chance but just don’t want to be skint each month but maybe have to take the loss at first in the long run.

Not sure if my late dad would say in another life type of job and just stay where I am earning money and don’t have any worries.

Savvy_Sue

Do you currently work full-time? If you do, one possible up-side to this is that there may be other part-time roles within the NHS which you would be able to apply for / be trained for, or you could look for another p/t job to keep the finances up.

For example, one friend was doing a monthly slot giving vaccinations (in vaccination season), and also carrying out routine health assessments - she had been a nurse many years ago but I got the impression that the team she worked in were a varied assortment of qualified health professionals and trained-to-do-just-this-part-of-this-job.

surreymum_2

hi

Thankyou for your reply very much appreciated.

I work full time now and the new role is part time hence the massive difference in salary. I just don’t want to have our lives changed with a drop in salary to much but is it worth it short term for the end goal.

Hard decision I guess and Ed to work out what’s more important.

I could do another role along side it but quality of life then changes doesn’t it.

FrugaiMacDugal

Would your existing employer consider offering you part time or job share?

surreymum_2

Hi

No they wouldn’t plus the phlebotomist job is different shifts every 6 weeks so won’t know what days are doing all the time, get rota 6 weeks in advance.

Not sure if I’m chasing something I think I’ve always wanted to do, and not sure the drop in salary is worth it. Living for now or job satisfaction not sure what’s more important. Yes I’m bored a little doing why I do but don’t have to worry about bills each month and can do things without going tight. Not sure if I’m being silly.

marcia_

put your financial details of the new wage into a benefits checker and see if you would qualify for universal credit top up on the new joint income. Savings might effect the answer.

Woodstok2000

Is this a 1-way or a 2-way door? If you can reverse the decision if it doesn't work out and go back to reception work, that's an easier step to take than if youre going to be stuck in the new role.

Can you speak to people in this role to see what the shifts, opportunities etc are,?

If this is really a long held dream, and you can afford it, I would say go for it even with dome short term hardship. You only live once.

Good luck!

surreymum_2

Thankyou for replies, yes I know I can always get another reception job if this doesn’t work out that is an option I just don’t know if we can take the cut, won’t be able to get universal credit looked into that already, yes we could survive each month but no room for much else and not sure if that’s worth it.

LightFlare

should be plenty of phlebotomist jobs around that aren’t part time once you are fully up to speed and qualified

How does the wage for full time compare to what you currently earn ?