From cradle to grave (NHS)

Member Name: Leannie1000

Product:	NHS
Date:	28/09/09 (63 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Job satisfaction

Disadvantages: Money

As this is supposed to be about NHS employment and not about anything political or any personal experiences with usign the NHS, I will try and stick to purely looking at being employed with the NHS.

I have worked for the NHS for four years (I'm on a day off before anyone asks!) and have had quite a few interviews with various NHS employers. I have worked for a primary care trust, an acute hospital and mental health trust.

I have always really enjoyed working for the NHS, although it can be very frustrating and often quite upsetting. It's never boring, there's always something happening and it's rewarding. It has been seen as quite a stable employment recently but this could change with budget cuts. There are loads of different types of NHS organisations and careers, check out the NHS employers website for those. There is also the NHS jobs website, which is useful and really good that you can save your details on the online application form. All NHS jobs are on there.

You don't get paid as much as you would in the private sector and there's no bonuses but you do get a decent level of annual leave (27 days plus bank hols for less than five year's service), maternity leave, carer's leave and so on. It can be very stressful working in the NHS and it's not the easy ride some pople seem to think it is, but it can be great. You will also have to get used to people criticising who you work for, left, right and centre!

Generally, the feedback from interviews is useful if you are not successful in applying.

Like I said, I really enjoy the NHS (I dine out on my anecdotes!) but it's not for everyone.

Summary: My view of working for our NHS