Changing career in later life.

I started a job as a vet receptionist a few years ago which i thought I would love but the people who ran the practice were bonkers and I got out after three days , needed the money but not the stress

Hi Monopaws (great name). I'll give it my best shot, plus the fact I've signed a 2 year contract so may not be that easy to leave and as I live alone I can't just leave without another job so I'll see how it goes and hopefully it will improve. I'm struggling with the job itself at the moment as there's so much to remember but I'm hoping that once I become more proficient, everything else will improve too. Here's hoping. Thank you for your thoughts.

Notagran that’s so disappointing for you my only advice would be hone in on someone who seems the most pleasant or someone who seems not to have anyone special to talk to and perhaps ask some questions about the job ask some advice people usually like feeling they can help What about break times it will be hard but you may have to summon up all your courage and approach someone even if you fear rebuffal or disinterest
I would have thought even with a contract as you are still only in training you should be able to get out, might be a good idea to join a union, they could help with things like that
Do keep us in touch with things

The important thing is, are you enjoying the work and feel capable of doing it successfully? You say you need the money so I would persevere; once you are established you may find your colleagues more welcoming.
I changed schools and went on a day course with the rest of the staff before term started, and not one member of staff spoke to me. Ever since then, I made a point of welcoming new staff, because being ignored is horrible.

Hi Bluebelle and Eazybee. Yes, Bluebelle, I have tried making conversation with a few, got very little back and I've noticed a couple of the newer ones are generally a bit friendlier so I'll keep trying. The actual job is as a 999 police call handler so there's an awful lot to remember with law and grading the calls depending on the situation and I've been told it normally takes around 6 months before you feel "confident" at answering the calls so it's very early days so I'm sure I'll get the hang of it in time. In terms of the contract I'm not sure whether they could hold me to it if things didn't work out as it certainly wasn't mentioned at the interview and I didn't have time before I started to negotiate anything so I think I'll cross that bridge when I come to it if I really can't stay. So, not exactly enjoying the work yet as it's quite stressful answering the phone when you know there's a good chance it could be something I've not dealt with before but it is interesting and rewarding when I give someone helpful advice or get Police to them quickly so will have to see how it goes. Just didn't think the "team" would be like this, has really shocked and disappointed me but if I could just make a couple of nice friends, that will make a huge difference. Thank you both for your support and comments.

This is a really valuable job you are doing responding to 999 calls. If you can stick at it and beclme more confident I think you might find it very rewarding.

Perhaps you should just concentrate on the job and not worry too much about the social aspects. When you become more confident you will relax more, but if you need to, ask advice and you may find colleagues happy to help.

Hi Varian, yes I think you're right but it's not easy as one of the reasons I made the leap from the NHS was to make new friends as life was a bit stale........and I thought this would be a good way to meet lots of new people of all different ages and backgrounds in one go but I will try not to worry so much and concentrate on the job and in time I guess the genuine friendly ones will begin to chat and get to know me. Thank you, much appreciated.

I think you will be ok the job is incredibly valuable and also I would imagine very, very stressful but also very very rewarding I would keep plugging away at talking to who ever will listen and also asking advice, people loved to be asked and feel a little bit superior I would also concentrate on the newer ones and who knows there may be an even newer one start soon and you can be the one and only one to welcome them and be a friendly face
Good luck a hundred times

Thanks Bluebelle, yes one of the new ones has spoken to me but he was the only one and when I see the next newbies coming through I'm going to welcome them so hopefully they won't feel like I do. I'll give it a few months, get settled in and then decide to stay or go. At least I tried it and I don't regret giving it a go no matter what the final outcome.

Braver than me Notagran, I would have given up so be proud of yourself

Thanks Menopaws, I can't give up. I don't have a choice. If I did have a choice I wouldn't have gone back after first week but giving it my best shot.

Well done. Notagran - you are doing well to hang on in there. When you come home from work at the end of a shift do you ever think about the calls you have handled and the desperate people you have helped?

A friend of mine, a nurse, who had some self doubt about her ability, once said to me "it's not that I think that I do the job particularly well but there are a lot of other folk who would do it worse."

Please just focus on becoming a really brilliant 999 call handler. I am sure you can do it.

Hi Varian, surprisingly a lot of the 999 calls made to the police are not that urgent but obviously there are a few and yes I know I've already helped quite a few but I try not to think about them when I get home to be honest. Have to try and keep work at work and home at home. I think if we get a particularly harrowing one, there is a support and counselling available so that's useful to know.
Thank you all for your support and good advice.