Career Help Needed - PLEASE!

Hi there,

I am new to the forum and looking for some career advice from some kindly souls!

I have been qualified for 12 years and spent the last few working for NHS 24 (telephone triage).

I started a job in clinical research (haematology) in June this year, I have had no previous research or haematology experience but am enjoying the research aspect of the job very much, as I knew I would.

HOWEVER - there are a few drawbacks:

- the hours - I took the job knowing it was a full time post but with 2 young children and 1.5 hours commuting every day I am really struggling with the 9-5, 5 days a week. I am spending a fortune in childcare, not to mention hardly seeing my boys. There has been whispers of dropping a day to 30 hours a week but every time I approach my manager about this she is very evasive and says it may happen within the next 6 months

- the work environment. I work in a tiny cramped office with 6 other people (and 4 computers!). It is really chaotic with hundreds of files and loose paper everywhere, plus all our trial equipment and packaging. The heat is unbelievable, often touching 33C and this is throughout the year, despite fans etc. I find the lack of space and heat absolutely excruciating

- the ********! the heat and cramped space makes everyone short tempered and seems to bring out the worst in everyone. Lots of stress, ******** and face-to-face confrontations resulting in long awkward days together. This is coming from the manager who appears to have no teaching skills and gets everyone very stressed and panicked with her manner. I have never experienced anything like this and find it incredibly stressful. I feel like I go through every day feeling constantly anxious and paranoid

I happened to check the vacancy bulletin today and there is another research post advertised - 18.5 hours a week, a different, more accessible hospital and a really interesting subject matter. I feel like I really want to apply for it but having only been in this post for under 3 months, I feel it looks pretty bad.

To make matters worse, I tried a brief stint as a Community Staff Nurse in High Schools for 6 months prior to this role but absolutely hated it, no structure or support so I ended up leaving which was devastating for me as I had hoped it would be the start of my dazzling public health career! I really am not a flighty person and I want to get my career going but my current role is making me so unhappy.

So....do I stick it out to avoid looking like a serial job-hopper with no commitment skills or apply for this new job which is far more suitable and would work well with my work/home balance?

Please help!

Jenny