Going private: now is the time to consider private nursing and care jobs

Maureen Gribbon, of MG Medical Recruitment, believes the private sector is sometimes underrated by nursing and care job seekers. With limited resources in the NHS there’s never been a better time to consider the many positive aspects of jobs in the private sector.

So, you're at Nurses.co.uk and you're looking for registered nurse jobs. Before you automatically think NHS jobs read this article; private health nursing has much to offer.

We’d like to thank Maureen, of MG Medical Recruitment for her following thoughts about Private vs Public...

Whilst working in the NHS is considered the norm for most nurses throughout their career; this is rapidly changing.

Not only with suggested reforms to the health service as whole, but changes to public sector pensions and austerity measures will have an effect on how desirable remaining in the public sector is versus the private sector.

There are many misconceptions about working in the private sector – the main one being that they have no concerns about patient care or safety and view all patients only in terms of how much money can be made from them.

Although there may be some disreputable companies that fit this mould – this is not the case in our experience.

Most private hospitals have very high standards of patient care; single rooms; very low infection rates and good patient outcomes across the board. As well as being able to respond immediately to requirements for further treatment/diagnostic investigation/surgery.

There are usually no waiting lists and treatment commences as soon as a problem is discovered.

This is not to say that the NHS doesn’t do an outstanding job with limited resources.

But that is just the point.

Resources ARE limited and if you, your insurance company or employer is willing to pay for those additional extras or to avoid waiting; then I do not think easing the burden on the NHS in this way is such a bad thing.

Another common misconception is that the private sector deals only with orthopaedic patients and the moment someone gets really ill they go into the NHS.

Whilst some private hospitals will focus on orthopaedics as a primary source of income; this is rapidly diversifying and includes obesity surgery; cancer treatments both surgical, and non surgical; this is only likely to increase again with the current white paper.

Some of the larger private hospitals are able to offer a wider range of services including intensive care; paediatric and neo-natal care and surgery; neurology; transplants; cardiac treatment; full maternity care and much more besides! There is no limit and demand for these services from the private sector is increasing.

The private sector salaries are often comparable to the NHS and do not come with the kind of annual leave that you can accrue in a public sector job.

However, the pensions are usually very good and the opportunities for further training and development are possibly better!

Some groups have dedicated teams focused on the development of their staff both educational and practical. Others are able to offer graduate and preceptorship programmes to newly qualified nurses.

Working in the private sector is not the easy option or a move to make when you are thinking of slowing down a little.

Yes there is a commercial side to the provision of healthcare, but that doesn’t make it wrong or a dirty word!

So perhaps when you consider where to go next in your private nursing career you will not entirely discount the private sector.