Across the UK there are thousands of qualified healthcare workers not using their skills. Many have left the profession to raise a family; others have qualified in different fields; or have left healthcare for a variety of personal reasons.

Meanwhile, critical posts go unfilled in the NHS. Despite fierce competition for certain clinical jobs, many acute and community Trusts, especially in inner-city areas carry vacancies.

So the NHS has, for the last couple of years run a campaign to encourage qualified staff to return to the fold and use their skills. If this description applies to you and you are considering a return to healthcare, here are some issues you may want to consider.

Firstly, you need to be honest with yourself about why you left healthcare in the first place. Was it the long hours, the lack of a social life, resources at practice level or the medical hierarchy that made you look elsewhere? Some of these things may have changed, others will not.

If you are returning to the NHS you can expect greater support of part-time working, more clinical autonomy and a greater emphasis on continuous professional development in many fields. This is particularly true if you left healthcare more than ten years ago.

However, you may also find that financial resources are still extremely stretched, that you are expected to undertake a wider range of tasks than you were previously familiar with, and that you will be held more personally accountable for clinical practice than was the case before.

You might also want to look at some case studies on the NHS Careers website for those who have made a successful return to the healthcare profession. Try www.nhs.uk

You will need to consider several important issues before you take the final step.

• Are there vacancies for my grade and specialisation? If not, consider how you can update your skills, or take a sideways move.

   

• Is the pay sufficient to cover my outgoings? Whether you are returning to healthcare from another job, or after having a career break, the question is an important one. Do your sums. Do not underestimate the cost of child care or commuting - these can take an enormous chunk from your salary.

   

• Does the prospect of returning to healthcare really excite me? You may have little choice about this if you are returning to your old job just to pay the bills but if you left healthcare because you were frustrated, demoralised or unhappy, think through how you would cope if those same situations arose again.

Are you considering a return to healthcare, or have you already taken the plunge?

Tell us your story, and it may be published in an edited collection in a future edition of the Healthcare community.

We would like to hear accounts from across the Healthcare field, and from those with a positive or a negative story to tell. We won't publish your surname or the name of your employer - we would just like to hear how your return worked out. E-mail us at: content1@monster.co.uk

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