Those who left healthcare and made a career change, what do you do now?
Posted by ApprehensiveCold2883@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 27 comments
Hello maybe a bit specific. But I'm just looking for some advice or ideas for what to do. I'm currently a top band 5 AHP, been in healthcare for nearly 20 years but now find myself in my mid-late 30s with a kid, MSK problems and just generally don't like my job anymore.
Those who have moved on from healthcare, what do you do now and how did you get into it? Did you need to take much of a pay cut (I'm expecting this but just curious)
Thank you!
Lady_Sybil-Vimes@reddit
I left the pathology service nearly 11 years ago. I was having MSK problems and the lab did not implement any accommodations for me. (Since been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and psoriasitic arthritis, spinal degenerative disease and related neurological issues).
I moved to a private company who was one of the suppliers we used in the lab and it was the best thing I ever did. Finally, I was treated like an adult! I was given every accommodation and even supported to travel globally. My job is developing new diagnostic tests for individual cancers.
In the last 11 years I've recruited for my team with 90% coming from the NHS or country equivalent.
The last two weeks in the NHS i cried constantly as I'd been so bullied I was convinced I had no skills and was going to be laughed at then fired in my new job. Instead ive been promoted a few times, given the time to create new initiatives that have gone global and even supported to develop skills that I want to learn.
Private industry is not always easy, its all about shareholders. But it is 100% better than I thought possible. Every person we have employed from NHS laboratories all have stories like mine. We have meetings when we employ someone new so they can trauma dump and we can share our experiences.
I love the NHS, it is keeping me mobile and treating my worst symptoms, but I cannot work in it ever again.
Reasonable-Ad-9402@reddit
Hi! I’m a US Registered Nurse moving to the UK (Manchester area) to be with my partner on a dependent visa. I don’t need a sponsor or anytbing just a job and I want to do anything but clinical nursing. I have clinical experience but most of my experience is with case management, clinical reviews, claims, risk assessing for insurance companies. Basically a lot of reading and analyzing. Do you know of any roles in the Uk that would allow me to do this with my US nursing license or even just my bachelors degree?
pajamakitten@reddit
I am thinking about leaving pathology and wish I had that option. There is no private industry near me and I cannot leave my house and support network. I am waiting for a role to appear in another department because my current hours have me burnt out to an insane degree. Accommodations from Occupational Health have been ignored and I feel that I cannot challenge management about it without losing my job. I am basically trapped now and cannot see a way out.
Lady_Sybil-Vimes@reddit
You really have my sympathy. I understand how depressing it is being stuck in job that causes physical and mental pain. Please don't give up. I originally took a role that needed me on site every day, but I've since transitioned to WFH. My role is more planning and writing up findings instead of being lab based. I do miss the lab sometimes, but when I travel I get to see other pathology labs. Jobs are out there for people with pathology knowledge and skills. We recruited 2 new roles, both WFH, in 2025 and the UK person we employed was leaving the NHS labs. Keep looking and check out company website recruitment pages.
pajamakitten@reddit
What sort of job titles? I have been looking but I do not really know anything about jobs and all the titles read like gobbledygook to me.
Lady_Sybil-Vimes@reddit
It depends on your discipline, but look for Applications Consultant, anything with Technical in the job title. In private industry, job titles don't really mean anything! They are created by hiring managers and frequently don't make any sense! We created our own job titles last year. Its not structured and often won't make any sense outside of each company.
Downtown_Rabbit_3253@reddit
Hi OP - just wondering have you thought about what you’re going to do? I’m an entry level B5 AHP - only been in the job nearly two years but I know I don’t want to practice forever, it feels hard to think about what else I’d do though!
MadWifeUK@reddit
I slid into the civil service after a career in midwifery. I'm still in the healthcare sphere, but from an administrative point of view now. My mental health is much better, I can still make a difference to people but during office hours, with weekends and bank holidays off. It's same basic, but obviously no unsociable hours payments. Pay was it's worked out more or less the same for me because I had cut my hours as a midwife to try and survive the job. And it helps having a clinician in the team: I can provide a front-line perspective and explain why something won't work or how to make amendments so it will work.
cec91@reddit
Hi would you mind sharing some tips about how you did this please?
MadWifeUK@reddit
Not to sound flippant, but I just applied for the job! I tailored my personal statement to highlight the experience I have that relates to the roles (because I applied for more than one). Read the strategic documents prior to interview so I could discuss them. I'm happy to offer further help via DM if you'd like.
LilOldPlainFace@reddit
Hi - I have another post at the min about wanting out of my 8a midwifery role and I'd be interested to know what sort of civil service roles you applied for? I don't know where to start!
MadWifeUK@reddit
I'll DM you.
Sixforsilver7for@reddit
Have a look to see if your Trust is doing any band 6 leadership training jobs- they're admin based and usually internal only.
You'd probably also not find it that hard to move in to a admin band 5 role so you can keep your salary and your pension.
Raspberry_111@reddit
Do you know how to go about moving into a band 5 admin role ?
Sixforsilver7for@reddit
Basically just apply for them. Really think about the admin parts of your current role and include them in your supporting statement. You can also talk to people currently in those roles at your trust and shadow some roles to get more experience.
greatwhite112@reddit
I left nursing - work for a not for profit now. I’ll never regret nursing it gave me so many great skills and the good times were great but my work life balance is great. And having a regular sleeping schedule has done wonders for my mental health
Jin-shei@reddit
I lecture and I love it. My pay is a bit lower than if I'd stayed but I was top band 7.
BellBlue96@reddit
Hi! I left a frontline NHS role after 36 yrs, and now work in a national support role. More control over my diary, better work/life balance and opportunities to WFH.
ApprehensiveCold2883@reddit (OP)
Can I ask what do you mean by national support role, what kind of job is it? WFH or hybrid would be the dream
BellBlue96@reddit
I now work in a service that sits between health care providers and government. It’s a programme-lead kind of role - my clinical expertise is key to credibility with health care providers.
Ok_Solution6487@reddit
Sounds like you've found your groove! It’s inspiring to hear how much better things can get outside the NHS. Keep thriving.
philbymouth@reddit
Acute Psychiatric Care.
Now earn 5 x more in private practice and don't have to endure the utter panto-circus that is the NHS
Krillzilla@reddit
I just left and went part time doing manual labor as my mental health was bad from the stress. Best thing I ever did, now work an office job monday to friday. But the 6 months part time working outdoors was pure joy after working in an environment where I had been assaulted a few times.
Honeymmm@reddit
Band 7, been in healthcare for 18 years. Currently re training to be a therapist. It will be a pay rise for me and much more rewarding. I was you over the last three years.
Guilty-Jellyfish-855@reddit
Over the years I've known colleagues (also AHP) move into equipment and consumables sales (stents, contrast, ortho implants, scanners etc) and technical support, some went to CQC, some became applications specialists (training staff on new equipment), PACS administrators, university lecturers... All of them earn the same or more than they did in the NHS but some of the roles involve a lot of travelling. There are some entrepreneural routes too - I knew someone at the hospital who invented a specific piece of kit out of frustrations in his daily work, patented it and made a small fortune. Someone went onto run a private care home, some start their own clinics but with these come large initial out lays and a lot of regulations to adhere to.
lavayuki@reddit
My dad used to be a surgeon but due to medical issues he had to stop operating. He now does just medico legal work.
One of my friends left and became an Aesthetician. She works in Harley Street doing botox and fillers. I have another friend who did the same but set up her own clinic and works independently.
AutoModerator@reddit
Please help keep AskUK welcoming!
When replying to submission/post please make genuine efforts to answer the question given. Please no jokes, judgements, etc.
Don't be a dick to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on.
This is a strictly no-politics subreddit!
Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.