Help! Considering leaving nursing as cannot live from pay cheque to pay cheque any more!

RE: Help! Considering leaving nursing as cannot live from pay cheque to pay cheque any more!

Kayleigh Charman — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 15:53:32 GMT

I completely understand your predicament, Vicky. I ask myself every few months whether nursing is worth it for the poor pay. I am the eldest of 3 children at 28-years-old and both my younger brothers (27 and 23) have bought properties of their own whilst I am still living with my parents because I cannot afford to buy on my own salary! I don't want to rent as it can be more a month than a mortgage and I'm fortunate my parents will let me stay with them for now.

I was all set to give it up a few months ago, but then I found a new job that sounded more my speed. Small, no OOH, decent hours and when I started the team made me feel so welcome, I have all the support I could need and I have as much or as little responsibility as I would like. I also have a free rein on running nursing clinics too! I fell in love with the job all over again even with a modest wage!

Shop around, look at other nursing jobs and see what they can offer. I would also do what others have suggested and bring it up with your employer about a pay rise. Explain your situation, tell them why they need you, make them aware that you are valuable to them but you will have no choice but to leave if you cannot afford to live! They should be able to compromise with you at least.

Good luck!

RE: Help! Considering leaving nursing as cannot live from pay cheque to pay cheque any more!

Veronica Deery — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:26:25 GMT

Hi,

i think we can all recognise your position and financial hardship. I have dedicated myself to the veterinary profession for some 28 years now and have always struggled to balance my love of the job with the realities of the pay. I have seen massive change during my career in virtually all areas except pay scale. With extensive experience, managerial and coaching skills and a consistent dedication to all my employers my highest ever salary has only ever yielded an actual take-home pay of 1500 pcm. This is regardless of my work ethic, my performance or my hours undertaken. I started my career with high expectation and like yourself have reached crisis point many times, seeking a 'way out' . I tried carework, teaching and other things but have always been drawn back into this vocation. I am now in my mid-40's, single and living with my parents whilst between jobs as i could never afford to save or buy property. I have no provision for the future and i am struggling to rent a home that accepts my 2 dogs. I am currently trying to find a mobile home or the like with my measly bank savings and feeling like this is impossible too. With no base to call home, i am pondering 'where to next..?' But, one thing is certain..... i shall find another low paid job in practice as i have no other specific skill set.... and truthfully, i couldnt imagine wanting to do anything else!! I understand your dilemma because i have been there myself for longer than i can remember. However as you are just a few years qualified i should point out that things are not likely to change. I have waited to earn my worth for my entire adult life but realise that our position is untenable. The sad truth is that our pay is somewhat 'capped'. I have had some success over the years in approaching employers directly and engaging in discussion to improve terms of pay. If you are worth your weight in gold and generally impress the boss, i think you should have some self-confidence and ask for a payrise. You never know...... it may just prove fruitful. Good luck , whatever the outcome.

RE: Help! Considering leaving nursing as cannot live from pay cheque to pay cheque any more!

Sarah Bolton — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 17:46:33 GMT

Have you approached your practice about a payrise? I did that recently, I got turned down so I started looking elsewhere. At least I knew where I stood. Maybe worth asking, you never know! Take them a copy of the SVPS vet nurse salary survey. They can see where you are compared with average salaries then. Good luck.

www.bvna.org.uk/downloads/spvs-salaries-survey-2014-nurses.pdf

RE: Help! Considering leaving nursing as cannot live from pay cheque to pay cheque any more!

Elerrina — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 10:57:01 GMT

I earned more than you as an ANA you're ridiculously underpaid, you need to leave your job not the profession!

RE: Help! Considering leaving nursing as cannot live from pay cheque to pay cheque any more!

Sal the 1st — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 23:58:05 GMT

I agree some of the charities pay better - but

[quote user="The Pikachu_Collector"]

independent practices will generally pay less than corporate, but again, it depends on where you are.

[/quote]

that hasn't been my experience. What I have seen is that the corporates are the tight wads and the independents tend to value their staff more both in wage and appreciation.

RE: Help! Considering leaving nursing as cannot live from pay cheque to pay cheque any more!

Louise B — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 22:48:36 GMT

Hi Vicky,

£1000 take home equates to about £14000 pa http://www.thesalarycalculator.co.uk/salary.php You can do much better than that in full time paye work even without locumming or working the night shift. Look around and contact other practices to find out about vacancies. The job market is very buoyant at the moment.

Good luck.

RE: Help! Considering leaving nursing as cannot live from pay cheque to pay cheque any more!

The Pikachu_Collector — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 22:32:27 GMT

Charities such as PDSA pay relatively highly, but the work is equally hard! RSPCA pay less, so look around.

independent practices will generally pay less than corporate, but again, it depends on where you are.

ive been qualified for 7 years and only take home £300 more than you a month, and i also have extra certificates, degree Etc...

Locum nursing is great for extra money, you can chose when you work and pay is pretty good, usually between £11-£15 an hour and night work would obviously pay more.

have a look around

RE: Help! Considering leaving nursing as cannot live from pay cheque to pay cheque any more!

enigmaticat-uk — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 17:56:28 GMT

Is relocating a possibility for you? As far as I can see the best way to survive is to work in a fairly affluent area but live in a less affluent area. Edinburgh works well for me as I am paid reasonably well (for an RVN with minimal responsibilities), but I live 20 miles away where accommodation costs are cheaper (although you do have to take into account travel expense). I am pretty horrified when I read about VNs who are earning minimum wage - the only solution I can see is to 'vote with your feet' - if bosses can't find staff to work for such low wages they they will have to pay more.

RE: Help! Considering leaving nursing as cannot live from pay cheque to pay cheque any more!

Sophie Millar — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 17:01:27 GMT

That wage is way below the salaries I agree for nurses with experience like yours! Might be worth looking around...

RE: Help! Considering leaving nursing as cannot live from pay cheque to pay cheque any more!

vicky knight — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 14:40:54 GMT

Thank you that's a great idea! The only thing that worries me with pet sitting and dog walking is that there won't always be guaranteed work, but a charity job would be interesting. Do you happen to know if there are any particularly good to work for?

thank you

RE: Help! Considering leaving nursing as cannot live from pay cheque to pay cheque any more!

kerryfeehan — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 14:15:44 GMT

According to recent headlines dog walking can be quite a lucrative business? Or pet sitting? Or working for one of the charities which tend to pay more than private practices?