Job isn’t providing enough money and I want to leave

1

I started an apprenticeship as a dental nurse around 8 months ago, it was a hard decision to leave my old job and wasn’t 100% sure of my decision to join this apprenticeship but at the time I needed the full time hours to make more money which my old job wouldn’t provide. At first I was really enjoying my apprenticeship even though I wasn’t 100% sure it was what I wanted to do in life. The issue is the money, it pays minimum wage even after we qualify it is hard to find a job as a qualified dental nurse that pays above minimum wage. I just feel like I’m at a point in my life where I want to move out and it’s just not financially feasible if I carry on in this job for the next 2-3 years.(which I have to as I have to stay for at least a year after I qualify) I just feel like if I leave everyone will be disappointed in me as I didn’t complete my qualification. I just feel as if it’s not worth the dedication and effort you have to put into the job for such little pay. The course and the continued professional development after the course to stay registered isn’t worth the pay. Let alone all the responsibilities for admin as well as clinical skillls and basically running the practice. I just feel so lost in life and I’m not sure what to do.

Reply 1

wasimi

9

Original post

by Loladog1

I started an apprenticeship as a dental nurse around 8 months ago, it was a hard decision to leave my old job and wasn’t 100% sure of my decision to join this apprenticeship but at the time I needed the full time hours to make more money which my old job wouldn’t provide. At first I was really enjoying my apprenticeship even though I wasn’t 100% sure it was what I wanted to do in life. The issue is the money, it pays minimum wage even after we qualify it is hard to find a job as a qualified dental nurse that pays above minimum wage. I just feel like I’m at a point in my life where I want to move out and it’s just not financially feasible if I carry on in this job for the next 2-3 years.(which I have to as I have to stay for at least a year after I qualify) I just feel like if I leave everyone will be disappointed in me as I didn’t complete my qualification. I just feel as if it’s not worth the dedication and effort you have to put into the job for such little pay. The course and the continued professional development after the course to stay registered isn’t worth the pay. Let alone all the responsibilities for admin as well as clinical skillls and basically running the practice. I just feel so lost in life and I’m not sure what to do.

Hi Loladog1, sorry to here you feel this way. I am sure many others will be able to relate. When faced with this kind of scenario it is often a good idea to step back and think about your future plans. Often the reason for feeling overwhelmed is because of a lack of a clear and tangible goal. Just as an FYI, the skills you have mentioned that you are developing i.e. effectively running the practice alongside the professional skills within dental nursing can be very valuable transferable skills in almost any other industry. If it were me, I would: 1. step back and evaluate my long term goals. 2. Make a note to myself that the dedication to see this through and acquire all of these valuable transferable skills can put you in a very strong position a little later. 3. Write out whatever long term goals you come up with. 4. Create a plan or at least the outlines of a plan. 5. with regards moving out on your own and extra money being valuable it seems that you could potentially set up some sort of side hustle or even look to other dental practices who could make use of your skills in exchange for a fee possibly on a day you do not work in your current practice. that could be very valuable and diverse experience. I mentioned everything else because I do not think money is your primary answer, but goal setting and thinking a little more wider. Going out alone is a big step and with costs constantly increasing for a myriad of reasons, I would take the time and stability you have to build the most valuable skills you can to later leverage for $$$.

Reply 2

Bookworm784

11

I think perhaps cut your loses now and leave. Hopefully you can train into a more financially rewarding profession in the future.

Reply 3

PinkMobilePhone

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22

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Reply 4

Emma:-)

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19

Original post

by Loladog1

I started an apprenticeship as a dental nurse around 8 months ago, it was a hard decision to leave my old job and wasn’t 100% sure of my decision to join this apprenticeship but at the time I needed the full time hours to make more money which my old job wouldn’t provide. At first I was really enjoying my apprenticeship even though I wasn’t 100% sure it was what I wanted to do in life. The issue is the money, it pays minimum wage even after we qualify it is hard to find a job as a qualified dental nurse that pays above minimum wage. I just feel like I’m at a point in my life where I want to move out and it’s just not financially feasible if I carry on in this job for the next 2-3 years.(which I have to as I have to stay for at least a year after I qualify) I just feel like if I leave everyone will be disappointed in me as I didn’t complete my qualification. I just feel as if it’s not worth the dedication and effort you have to put into the job for such little pay. The course and the continued professional development after the course to stay registered isn’t worth the pay. Let alone all the responsibilities for admin as well as clinical skillls and basically running the practice. I just feel so lost in life and I’m not sure what to do.

Id stick with the apprenticeship. At least you will gain the qualification and skills out of it. You could then go onto do other things afterwards if you wanted.
With regards to making some extra cash- could you have a side hussle on the side? Or get a little job delivering leaflets or something?

Reply 5

Rollyrollydog

2

If you’re absolutely sure about the numbers and that you won’t be able to progress beyond minimum wage then leave. I don’t know how this industry works but is there no moving up the ranks as a dental nurse like there would be a regular nurse? If not, leave. It’s not what you want to do anyway. Would suggest setting up a replacement job before you quit though.

Reply 6

BambiLearns

1

Original post

by Loladog1

I started an apprenticeship as a dental nurse around 8 months ago, it was a hard decision to leave my old job and wasn’t 100% sure of my decision to join this apprenticeship but at the time I needed the full time hours to make more money which my old job wouldn’t provide. At first I was really enjoying my apprenticeship even though I wasn’t 100% sure it was what I wanted to do in life. The issue is the money, it pays minimum wage even after we qualify it is hard to find a job as a qualified dental nurse that pays above minimum wage. I just feel like I’m at a point in my life where I want to move out and it’s just not financially feasible if I carry on in this job for the next 2-3 years.(which I have to as I have to stay for at least a year after I qualify) I just feel like if I leave everyone will be disappointed in me as I didn’t complete my qualification. I just feel as if it’s not worth the dedication and effort you have to put into the job for such little pay. The course and the continued professional development after the course to stay registered isn’t worth the pay. Let alone all the responsibilities for admin as well as clinical skillls and basically running the practice. I just feel so lost in life and I’m not sure what to do.

Hiya! I'd like to hear what you doing now and if you continued or not.

Im considering applying for an apprentiship after working full time in marketing for the same reasons as yourself. I need a job and money and wouldn't mind gaining and qualification at the end but im worried I won't enjoy it.

Reply 7

ringi

14

Dental nurcing often leads into getting management experience that none healthcare employers will value. Many of the none clinical mangers in large dental companies and NHS dental services started as dental nurses. (Once have NHS management experience can move to other NHS services.)

The military pays dental nurses well with most of the dental nurses who remain after the original about 4 years commitment becoming practise managers or trainers. (4 year commitment is only when not qualified as dental nurce before entering military.)

Job isn’t providing enough money and I want to leave

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