Returning to a job I hate?

Hannaho

Hi! All, as you can see from my recent post on bullying - a reason to leave? - I was bullied in a job in the voluntary sector which I moved all the way across the country for. As I was only there 3 months I had no real rights and was on probation anyway.

Due to the way the company handled the bullying complaints - turning on me rather than the well-documented bullying by the perpetrator, I would not be able to go back, as there is no other choice but to work directly with the bully.

However, now I am faced with an 80 mile journey to return to nursing in the public sector. I hate nursing - love the patients - but it's the rest of the stuff I find difficult, including the shift and weekend work. I would only be working 13 days a month as they are long days, and my ex will have the children for four of those. I would have to pay for childcare for the other days which would be about e1,2000 per month, (this would be more when I have to do nights or during holiday time), my diesel costs and toll costs would be about e250 per month, and the wear and tear on my car would be huge, so I suppose factor in another e300 to be able to change my car yearly due to mileage. My salary would be about e3,000 per month as I left nursing at the top of my scale, and I have a single parent tax credit. I have a medical condition which makes me tired at times - so also have to be careful healthwise. However, I am in my mid forties, and afraid if I don't take this job, I won't get another. I also need to keep my stamps up, as I have been home for long periods with the kids, and I need a pension which I currently don't really have - as I worked long-term on a temporary contract previously in the HSE, so I only got half pension contributions.

Bascially, I am wondering if other people think I should go back to a job I really dislike with awkward hours, or just remain on benefits - I suppose also my concern is that I will need to keep references updated - so a job, even one I dislike would be good for that. Basically is it worth all the hassle for about e1,400 per month, which will be what is left of my salary. I need to make the decision by Monday, so any comments, advice would be gratefully received.

marnieb

It is always hard to make such decisions, maybe you should go with your gut instinct, leaving out pension etc, yet its good to have one but unless you have lots put away into it in the end you are almost better off on the public one, my dad has recently retired and as he gets a little extra every week 20 or so he is not entitled to medical card or medicines so in real terms he is worse off. Having said that, the money is not bad for the amount of days you would be doing, my other half goes further every day 5 days a week and does not get a new car every year or anything like that, wear and tear not really that bad as you might think. Could you look for a nursing job in a nursing home closer to where you are? There always seems to be ones around here. Good luck to you anyhow what every happens, and remember there are always other options.

Mrs OBumble

The way you described it before, I would have thought you'd be mad to take the job.

But with the extra details, I think you'd be mad not to:

13 days/month for 1400 in the hand after all the expenses you've listed is not bad going: there are people who get that before any expenses.

And remember, that's an annual salary you're talking about, you'll be getting annual leave too, and will save on travel costs and maybe childcare during those times (depending on the sort of childcare deal you can swing).

And you don't hate everything about nursing, just some bits. You could choose to focus on the good bits if you wanted to.

Hannaho

Hi! Marnieb and Just Mary, thanks for your replies.

Gosh, Marnieb, that's mad driving that your husband does! I suppose if other can do that sort of commute, so can I. At least it won't be every day.

Just Mary, yes, the more I think about it, the jobs not really that bad. I'll be working weekends, but my ex will have the kids then, and I'll be able to take them to school and collect them sometimes, instead of them having to go on the school bus all the time and then to the childmindes.

Also, although I absolutely hate nights - if I have to do them, I get a week off, and then I could take a week off (we have 28 days hols, so I wouldn't be back working for two weeks, so I suppose that isn't bad!

I will also be contributing to a pension, and can buy AVC's - I've missed a lot of time - and if I'm sick I'm covered - I'm supposed to have a hysterectomy next year - so I will be paid when off sick, unlike my other job where it is totally at the discretion of the employer. So I guess lots of plusses, but in career terms, it seems a huge step back, though I will be on better pay (though more childcare and diesel costs) than I was in the voluntary sector.