Should I leave the NHS??

shoperholicnot

I used to work for the NHS, I was very poorly paid and very overworked, I then applied for a job in the private healthcare sector with much better money, I got the job and I left the NHS, I am so glad I did, some did not think much of me going into the private sector, but I work to pay my bills, i could barely even do that in the NHS! and i no longer fall through my door exhausted every night
if you hate the job and the money is better than go for it!!!

kitty123

I'm not sure I would be better off financially, as in my job as a comunity nurse i get paid a mileage allownace, cost of living enhancement and xtra for working unsocial hours. The prospective job I am looking at is actually for a "charity" which is research institute affiliated with my local university. The pay would not worry me too much, but the future prospects in terms of pension etc. does.

susan070571

Hi Kitty,

Just finshed a night shift (nhs) myself. I know jobs are scarce in some trusts at the moment, but are there no other jobs in the nhs you could or would change to.
I worked for years in adult nursing and hated it, I changed to a specialised unit a couple of years ago in the same hospital and the difference is unbelievable. Now quite enjoy going to work.
The nhs pension, sickness and benefits are hard to beat. My holiday entitlement after 10 years means that I get 8 and a half weeks a year.
did go through a period were I hated work and looked at getting out of nursing altogether but realised I would never find anything quite as flexible as I have now. I work 2 nights a week and to be honest if I took a 9 -5 job I would have to work 5 days to earn the same.

Good Luck.

P.s Whatever you do don't transfer your nhs pension to a private pension provider.

Biggles

heppy23 wrote: »

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.

The usual advice, I believe, is that pensions retain their value best if they are transferred. If it stays in the NHS, it will only rise by the same % as the NHS pay awards, and we all know how poor they can be. The OP can always transfer it back if she returns to the NHS.

But this is something she should really take professional advice on, as so much money hangs on the decision.

kitty123

susan070571 wrote: »

Hi Kitty,

Just finshed a night shift (nhs) myself. I know jobs are scarce in some trusts at the moment, but are there no other jobs in the nhs you could or would change to.
I worked for years in adult nursing and hated it, I changed to a specialised unit a couple of years ago in the same hospital and the difference is unbelievable. Now quite enjoy going to work.
The nhs pension, sickness and benefits are hard to beat. My holiday entitlement after 10 years means that I get 8 and a half weeks a year.
did go through a period were I hated work and looked at getting out of nursing altogether but realised I would never find anything quite as flexible as I have now. I work 2 nights a week and to be honest if I took a 9 -5 job I would have to work 5 days to earn the same.

Good Luck.

P.s Whatever you do don't transfer your nhs pension to a private pension provider.

Thanks for the advice. I am hoping another post may come up in the next few months which would still be NHS based. I think I would be taking a big risk leaving the NHS altogether evn though I currently hate my job. It is encouraging to hear that someone else has managed to move elsewhere in th NHS and be happy. I would certainly never consider transferring my NHS pension out to a private one. I also agree that the holiday entitlement etc. is pretty much unbeatable in any other job which is a big factor for me. I am only 2.5 years off my 10years NHS service too, which is why I feel in a bit of a dilemma!

I would definitely seek professional advice before making any big decisions.

heppy23

Biggles wrote: »

The usual advice, I believe, is that pensions retain their value best if they are transferred. If it stays in the NHS, it will only rise by the same % as the NHS pay awards, and we all know how poor they can be. The OP can always transfer it back if she returns to the NHS.

But this is something she should really take professional advice on, as so much money hangs on the decision.

I think the reason for sticking with the NHS (from memory) is that the NHS is the biggest employer in Europe and the pension fund is huge but is unlikely to be pinched by a Robert Maxwell type character.

I'm not sure how the value of money in what is basically an investment fund is affected by the payrise given to the employees who pay into that fund. Can you explain more?

I also don't think you can transfer your private pension funds back into the NHS scheme.

kitty123

Thanks for all the interesting advice everyone. I have been to sus out the new job and in fact I don't think the benefit are as good for me as working for the NHS, so I think I shall stay put until something more suitable comes along that is not such a risk.:rolleyes:

CLAPTON

the NHS pension is one of the bets available, under no circumstances transfer it unless its to a 'government ' type scheme

to fund such a pension would cost an employer about 20-25% of your salary

Biggles

heppy23 wrote: »

I'm not sure how the value of money in what is basically an investment fund is affected by the payrise given to the employees who pay into that fund. Can you explain more?

It isn't an investment fund, it's a final salary pension scheme. The benefits are calculated solely according to your salary which, if you have left the scheme, cannot change but will be uprated by the rate of annual pay awards.

However, as Kitty as decided not to jump ship, that's academic now.
;-)