Should I leave the NHS??

kitty123

I have been an NHS employee (nurse) for the last 7.5 years. I currently hate my job and have seen something else that I am temped to apply for which is outside the NHS (a research post with a local institute).

I pay into the NHS pension scheme but have read that I can rejoin within 5 years with no penalty. The job I want to apply for has a pension scheme with Scottish Provident and the company contributes 3% providing I match that myself. Does anyone know what the pros and cons of this might be?

I would receive 2 days less annual leave than I currently recieve, but I do not mind this because there will be no weekend and bank holiday working involved. There are also 2 "statutory" days included - any ideas what these mean?

I also understand that if I rejoined the NHS at any stage I would still have my previous service recognised (In the NHS 5 years service = 2 extra days holiday and 10yrs = 4 days extra). Therefore I would not be losing my continuouse service.

There also seems to be good sick pay and this employer follows statutory maternity pay guidelines. Having never studied the NHS maternity leave policy, I am not sure how this compares and what it could mean for me i I decided to start a family.

The most likely option iss that I would consider returning to the NHS in a few years if a desirable job came up.

Any opinions would be much appreciated.

jillymit

I think you should never stay in a job you hate.
I don't see how you can work within the NHS these days without actually loving it as we sure don't work for the pay or working conditions!

kitty123

jillymit wrote: »

I think you should never stay in a job you hate.
I don't see how you can work within the NHS these days without actually loving it as we sure don't work for the pay or working conditions!

I agree. I have had a particularly difficult 6 months in my job and there are another few months (at least) of this ahead. I don't know whether to stay put and see if things improve, or take an opportunity that might be better for me. There are lots of changes afoot in my PCT, such as possibly introducing shift work etc. which is why I want to look elsewhere.

I suppose I feel the NHS is a "safety net" as there is a fairly good pension scheme and good holiday entitlement. However, I can't narrow my options to working for the NHS for the next 30 years of my career if other opportunities may come up.

heppy23

I left the NHS 7 years ago having paid into the pension scheme for about 5 years.

At the time and several times since I have been advised to leave the NHS pension as it is rather than transferring it anywhere else.

heppy23

I do miss the sick pay, I work in the commercial sector now and it's straight onto SSP if I am ill. I've luckily been well all along but have used holiday for the odd day here or there so I don't loose out.

kitty123

heppy23 wrote: »

I left the NHS 7 years ago having paid into the pension scheme for about 5 years.

At the time and several times since I have been advised to leave the NHS pension as it is rather than transferring it anywhere else.

I would leave my NHS pension as it is, I would just choose to re-join if I returned to the NHS after leaving. I would therefore have 2 pensions if I took out the one this other employer offers.

barney77

I work for the NHS too. The statutory days you refer to are set days that are usually added on after a Bank Holiday.

pinkpig08

I will be starting a job soon with the NHS. Officey type, not practical. How many days holiday do you get? I assumed it would be 4 weeks?

kitty123

barney77 wrote: »

I work for the NHS too. The statutory days you refer to are set days that are usually added on after a Bank Holiday.

Would I be right in thinking this probably means christmas then? I can't imagine the institute would be opening at that time.

Money_Maker_Shaker

pinkpig08 wrote: »

I will be starting a job soon with the NHS. Officey type, not practical. How many days holiday do you get? I assumed it would be 4 weeks?

Really useful NHS annual leave calculator here, particularly useful if you are part time.

http://www.westlincspct.nhs.uk/Staff%20information/Annual%20leave/Annual%20Leave%20Calculator%20WLPCT%202.xls

It's 27 days (+ bank holidays) until you reach 5 years service.

HTH

heppy23

kitty123 wrote: »

I would leave my NHS pension as it is, I would just choose to re-join if I returned to the NHS after leaving. I would therefore have 2 pensions if I took out the one this other employer offers.

In the unlikely event of me going back the NHS I would definately rejoin the NHS scheme.

I can't see the problem with having several pensions, I will have three (NHS, state and private).