099 My Experience Leaving the NHS episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 30, 2026 · 17 MIN

099 My Experience Leaving the NHS

from Beyond The Clinic · host Sarah Almond Bushell

In this episode, I’m sharing the honest story of my decision to leave the NHS after more than 20 years as a dietitian. This isn’t about criticising the system or the profession that shaped my career. The NHS gave me incredible experience, friendships and opportunities that I’ll always value. But there came a point where I realised the life I wanted and the way I was working were no longer aligned.I talk openly about the thoughts I had for years before I made the change, the guilt that came with wanting more, and the moment I realised I needed to take my private practice seriously. If you’re currently working in the NHS and quietly wondering whether you want something different, this episode will help you feel less alone and give you insight into what building something alongside your clinical role can look like.In This Episode I Talk About:Why reaching the top of my NHS career ladder still left me questioning “Is this it?”The guilt many clinicians feel when they start wanting more flexibility, challenge or incomeHow NHS systems and red tape can sometimes limit even the most committed cliniciansThe life event that made me re-evaluate everythingWhy I stopped treating my private practice like a side hustleDiscovering online income streams like digital products and coursesSelling my first nutrition resources online and the moment I realised this could workHow I doubled my NHS Band 8B salary in under two yearsSupporting other dietitians who wanted to build businesses of their ownThe moment I finally handed in my NHS notice after more than two decadesThinking About Your Own Next Step?If you love being a dietitian but feel like you want more flexibility, income or impact, you’re not alone. I now work with health professionals who want to build ethical, sustainable businesses that don’t rely purely on one-to-one clinical work.You can start by booking a free 20-minute discovery call with me here:https://thechildrensnutritionist.as.me/discoveryI'd love to hear from you, click the link to 'text' the show directly Lets keep in touch!Website:  https://www.sarahalmondbushell.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitiansinbusiness/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dietitiansinbusinessYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheClinicPodcast FREE Workbook - The Master PlanDiscover the 22 steps you need to take (in the right order) to build a successful business so you can earn enough to live the freedom lifestyle you dream of. https://www.sarahalmondbushell.com/master-plan Work with me:Business Coaching: https://www.sarahalmondbushell.com/mastermindSarah AI: https://www.sarahalmondbushell.com/offers/AYjozgYc/Book a discovery call: https://thechildrensnutritionist.as.me/discovery

NOW PLAYING

099 My Experience Leaving the NHS

0:00 17:43

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Beyond The Clinic?

This episode is 17 minutes long.

When was this Beyond The Clinic episode published?

This episode was published on March 30, 2026.

What is this episode about?

In this episode, I’m sharing the honest story of my decision to leave the NHS after more than 20 years as a dietitian. This isn’t about criticising the system or the profession that shaped my career. The NHS gave me incredible experience,...

Is there a transcript available for this episode?

Yes, a full transcript is available for this episode. You can read the complete transcript on the episode page.

Can I download this Beyond The Clinic episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!