Over what feels like the last 15 years or so I’ve read about how poorly they are paid when you take into account workload and conditions.
Which made me wonder why would someone in the last decade have chosen to spend the time, money and effort training.
Why begin on a path into that career? It seems that you’ll have invested in it knowing you’ll be getting a poor deal once you’re qualified.
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I trained more than 15yrs ago, but it was still bad then. I do think all the young ones starting now must be mad. But you don’t really realize how awful it’s going to be until you get there and get ground down for a few years, and then when you do it’s too late and it’s difficult to escape. Unfortunately it’s one of them jobs where there’s not really anything else like it, so if that’s what you want to do you kind of have to put up with it or do something boring.
A love for medicine.
I know it’s a poor deal, I know i will be abused by the NHS with long hours, poor management and no regard to my own mental health. I know my pay for many years will be no where near other stem careers at my level of education. But I do know theses things; firstly sometimes the thankyou I get from a patient is wonderful, to actually make a positive change in my community and in a patients day to day life is great; secondly I get to apply my knowledge and my skill that I spent years honing on a daily basis which keeps me engaged and happy.
Lastly I know this, the government will try and replace us, with less trained, less capable staff, they are doing it already, they are underfunding us too, even to the breaking point we see now. But I know doctors will be in demand somewhere, either in the private sector or other parts in the world. We practice In the NHS for many years but there’s a breaking point in all of us. And when it comes down to it doctors are in demand.
I think the British public will eventually see the number of unnecessary deaths rising and the waiting lists grow even further. Either they fight for the NHS now or they fight to see private care later. I as many doctors do, are praying they fight for their NHS now.
I’m not a nurse, my sister is. She changed career and studied to be a mental health/learning disabilities nurse. She’s always said my son was her inspiration to do so. He also has a VI and autism and seeing him growing up with the difficulties he has made her realise caring for people like him is what she wanted to do. I think there are probably a lot of people who are similarly inspired by seeing how their loved ones are cared for.
I have nothing but respect and gratitude for NHS staff. My son spent his first few months in hospital due to being born early, during that time not only did the staff save his life multiple times but they also were the loveliest, kindest people who got me through what was essentially an emotional roller coaster. I’ve never, ever forgotten them and never will, because of them I have my son. So to anyone in the profession reading this, you’re incredible and thank you for doing what you do.
I really hope that things get better in the NHS for the staff who are struggling, I really do.
I decided to train as a mental health nurse because I found mental health (and particularly psychosis) fascinating.
Eight years after qualifying and I continue to be a mental health nurse because I love many aspects of the job. I work in the community and can work with patients for up to three years. It can genuinely be an honour to be alongside people in their recovery for that amount of time, some of my patients we’ve shed some tears and had some hugs when I’ve discharged them.
The awful shit I’ve seen people go through is horrendous but I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some incredibly resilient, funny and kind humans who haven’t been defined by their traumas or their diagnosis. Seeing people get better and not need me anymore is a genuinely beautiful thing.
It is getting more and more bleak working in the NHS but that’s what keeps me here 🖤
It was a complete accident. I was hating life working in retail and kind of fell into a college healthcare access course for something to do in the evening; a year down the line that became an entry point to undergrad Adult Nursing. Had no care experience, can’t believe they even took me on in a small cohort.
As it happens I fucking loved nursing from the second I began my first placement. I’m a few years in now and I’m quite happy with my wage, it’s a very good wage. I’m a pretty niche specialist and although I guess that for similar stress and workload levels in other professions I’m probably still underpaid I remind myself every day that I get to get up and do this awesome job that I love every single day and I’d fucking hate being a banker or working in an office or something
Truthfully because it just made the most sense for me, I like being with people and I also find healthcare/medicine interesting. No job is perfect and it’s particularly bad rn, but there are are a lot of options (tons of healthcare jobs are not on a hospital ward).
Other things like getting decent money, 4 days off per week, flexibility in schedule, getting to do interesting things. I’m not really a corporate type, I do find aspects interesting like law and finance but the thought of sitting in an office messing around with fake numbers that mean nothing for 40-60 hours a week sounds depressing as fuck. At least I get to do relatively ‘fun’ stuff at work and to be quite honest, the issue is the pay is not bad. Anyone who struggles to live comfortably on 35k-40k a year isn’t good with money, the issue right now is that pay is bad *for the shit we put up with.*
I am a student nurse and a career changer. Let’s just say I am no spring chicken. I also work as a healthcare assistant on the wards part time.
I had wanted to be a nurse for years, but never thought I would get the chance. Then, the pandemic happened and it trashed my career and I took the opportunity.
I love caring for people. It’s as simple as that. Any doubts I had dissolved when I started working on the wards. Yes, there are issues, big ones. Yes, the pay isn’t good, yes the work is hard. Often far more physical than anyone imagines and can be emotionally draining. But, I have never had a shift that I haven’t finished with a huge smile on my face.
Some days I will run around like a crazy person cleaning up incontinent patients, feeding people, helping people in a million ways. Oh, and helping with clinical things such taking observations like blood pressures, doing blood glucose monitoring, and a lot more. All for just above minimum wage. But, the satisfaction is huge. Even cleaning someone’s bum.
I am a doctor and decided on a whim aged 18- I didn’t really know anything about medicine but was obsessed with the all the medical dramas. I think about leaving nearly every single day but can’t think what else I would do now 10 years in
F1 here, brown parents innit
Remember for medicine, _**it takes minimum 10 years to be a GP, 15 to be a consultant.**_ in reality this almost always a lot slower.
It wasn’t a poor deal when new consultants and GPs starting today chose their career.
The problem is now the drawbacks are obvious and the appeal will drop off. It’s a shame as we need the best and brightest, whereas now the smart decision is to avoid medicine entirely.
Despite the tough moments and relentless workload, MHN, LDN, MDs, and RNs choose these paths from passion and an urge to impact lives. It’s challenging, especially with poor pay, but the fulfillment outranks the struggles. Many do it for the win, not the wage. Dialogue on medical careers needs to focus more on the rewards of the job, not purely the paycheck.