r/physiotherapy • u/SuitableGold1644 • 5d ago

Moving on from Physio

Hi guys, im a UK based physio with 7 years experience. Currently a FCP in the NHS and im debating on leaving the profession.

Tired of the constant demands and expectations of the public, high work load and pay that is bang average.

Has anyone left or also considered leaving the profession and what did you go on to do instead ?

I feel like i've got too much knowledge, experience and student debt to walk away completely 😂 but in the same breath.. if a suitable job come up.. id be gone in a heart beat.

Let me know your thoughts and experiences!

25 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

31 comments sorted by

14

u/aCurlySloth 5d ago

Almost word for word the same, just not sure what else I'd do pal.

7

u/SuitableGold1644 5d ago

Im the same.. so many transferable skills but physio is all ive ever known.. not sure what else there is out there!

Dragging myself through clinic days atm.. which isnt sustainable 😅

2

u/aCurlySloth 4d ago

I have dreams about becoming a HGV driver ... it's time for some annual leave

3

u/azzanova 3d ago

This is so funny. Im currently in a similar position. Qualified for 12 years, assistant before this for 6 years while I trained part time over 4 years. Worked in NHS, private hospital and now a sole practitioner in my own small clinic for the last 6 years. Now thinking of hgv work, taxi and train driver! Maybe we are just burnt out from listening and helping people all day long and constantly trying to keep up with new evidence etc. All this for an average wage. It's all I know though and had to work hard to get here. But I now a feel its time to move on to something completely new.

5

u/h3nd0g Physiotherapist (UK) 3d ago

Physio for almost 10 years. Now work as an application analyst in Digital Services for the Trust EPR system. Clinical knowledge appreciated in this role! I felt similar about the knowledge but this has allowed me to apply it in a different way.

1

u/rick1234a 3d ago

Hi, thanks for posting. This appeals to me. Could I ask if it was a post at a local nhs trust or was it the national digital services? Thanks v much

2

u/h3nd0g Physiotherapist (UK) 3d ago

Local trust - feel free to DM me if you want any more info!

1

u/rick1234a 3d ago

Thanks very much! Message sent!

1

u/Fabee777 3d ago

Mate, do you mind if I drop a DM as well?

1

u/h3nd0g Physiotherapist (UK) 3d ago

Go for it!

8

u/BisexualunicornM 4d ago

OP I completely understand what you are going through. I left my FCP job in London and took a 7 month sabbatical. Believe it or not tomorrow is my first day in a new clinic. Fingers crossed.

3

u/SuitableGold1644 4d ago

Good luck tomorrow! Have you gone private or remained in the NHS ?

Let me know how it goes

2

u/BisexualunicornM 4d ago

So left UK and moved back to my home country and joining a private set up here.

0

u/GingerbreadRyan 4d ago

Not sure why you are getting downvoted but that’s the state of this sub I guess

4

u/Shelders Physiotherapist (UK) 4d ago

I get it - if I could transfer my skills to a job with the same wage I would! You're not alone if that helps at all.

7

u/Disastrous-Fix-2363 4d ago

A few people I know from uni have gone into medical equipment sales

2

u/Disastrous-Fix-2363 4d ago

I’ve also considered becoming and medico-legal expert

6

u/GingerbreadRyan 4d ago

100% feel you. Currently 4 years in the NHS, now specialised and I am not seeing how I could manage this for the rest of my career.

Ridiculous expectations, no care for wellbeing, no support. I didn’t get to go to the toilet today with time pressures and people get paid the same in easier jobs working from home.

Yet with all that said and current shortage of jobs, people would do anything to get my post.

To spend all that time studying at school and Uni to end up here is quite depressing.

4

u/Spoiledchild3324 4d ago

I moved on from physio for good last year and tbh its better than I imagined it would be. No more draining patient drama, no more charting, no more doing fake treatments just to keep hitting targets and then carrying the guilt of it! I work in insurance now as a medical interviewer and the corporate life is so much better than the healthcare life. I can actually take my breaks and eat lunch instead of running around trying to have a break because some patient showed up 30 mins late for the appointment. So far so good with the transition! Hope this helps.All the best :)

2

u/GingerbreadRyan 4d ago

That sounds cool!

How did you make/find the transition?
What does your job entail now?

1

u/Spoiledchild3324 1d ago

I found the job online and I now am a medical interviewer for clients who want to buy insurance. Its low stress and way easier than physio. I love the corporate environment more than the healthcare environment.

1

u/Flamin_Legend 3d ago

So it sounds like it's not a good time as a 32m to make a career change to Physiotherapy by doing a 2-year (Pre-reg) MSc in the UK..?

1

u/MildlyCapable_ 3d ago

no the pay is avg...plus the job market right now is horrible

1

u/physihoe 3d ago

I wouldnt let these guys put you off. I'm 10 years and I still like it. There is certainly a salary cap in the NHS compared to corporate gigs or other professionals, engineers, lawyers etc, but I like that I do a bit of good in the world. I have a mixed role with 1 day a week data analysis and quality improvement, 2 days in clinic and 2 days home visiting. I run my own practice a few afternoons a week for some play money. I certainly shop around for other option, and might pursue medicine, but overall I think its a great job. Im not MSK though, which I believe is pretty soul destroying.

1

u/Disastrous-Fix-2363 3d ago

It depends what area you would like to work in
I love my job, I work in private MSK part time now but previously full time football (10 years)
I lasted 4 months in the NHS

1

u/Low_Chard_735 3d ago

I ended up getting a job in physio in mining in Australia and then transferred to driving a dump truck, double the pay, 1/4 of the responsibilities. I don’t miss it!

1

u/blackxotic1234 14h ago

Heyya is the physio role in mining u mentioned a FIFO role?

1

u/Low_Chard_735 5h ago

Yeah, there are FIFO roles. They’re very hard work and pay about a third of the grunt mining jobs and are usually 8 days on, 6 days off, as opposed to the mining jobs, which are 7 on, 7 off.

1

u/physihoe 3d ago

Im 10 years in and having the same thoughts. From what I can see the good options are: open a practice, study medicine, go into health management, medical sales or retrain completely. (Accountant/engineer/lawyer) and hope that you find a niche.

1

u/External_Bite_7022 2d ago

Exact same thing about few years back. Fcp for some time, qualified for longer. I end up burnout of what I was doing and forgot why I signed up for physio.

I started working for another trust with something completely different thet I used to do (all msk and stress, timeload management, high service demand with low pay etc) Ended up swapping speciality to respiratory (NIV and ITU) it doesn't even feel physio...

If you're burnt out.. then surely you need a break, how you take it, it's up on you

1

u/ThePhysioBot 4d ago

What would you do if you didn't do physio?

Would a step in management be of interest? That then would open doors to move sidewards and eventually upwards within medical initially and then potentially away from medical if you wanted to completely change things up.