Which post - private AP or honorary NHS AP?

[matrix]

Hi...I am new to this. I need advice. I have a 2:1 in my Psychology degree and a merit in my Msc forensic Psychology. I have some voluntary 1 years experience as an assistant psychologist working within a medium secure forensic mental health unit for the NHS and three months experience of working for HMP as an AP. Currently I am working (Paid) for a Youth Offending Service as a part-time Restorative Justice Coordinator, working on projects such as knife crime awareness and anger management. Although I enjoy my current post I am trying to get a paid assistant psychologist post. I have had a couple of interviews for assistant posts for the NHS, however I have been unsuccessful. My current predicament is that I have been offered a paid assistant psychologist post with a major Private mental health hospital, at the same time I have also been offered an honorary post with an early intervention team for PD and psychosis (which is an area i am extremely passionate about). I know that for the doctorate training it looks good if you have a paid assistant psychologist post for the NHS - so my question is - Which post do I accept, the paid assistant psychologist post at the major and reputable private hospital or the honorary post, which may lead to an assistant post for NHS later in the year??? Please any and all advice is appreciated.
Many Thanks
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Even a clock that does not work is right twice a day.

[BlueCat]

I would say the paid post. Reason being, voluntary work is less well received when applying for the doctorate than paid work. You will probably find that, once you have six months or so under your belt in the rivate post, the AP posts will come flooding in!

Good luck whatever you decide.

[Ruthie]

I'm 100% with Bluecat.

Take the paid one! It will be a more substantial post and should offer you more depth of experience and supervision.

It will also be much easier to get an NHS based AP post once you have worked privately for a while - and I know people who got on training after having worked in the private sector but never having worked in the NHS.

Ruthie

[Bdawson]

In terms of your development, paid will come accross a little better, but honourary AP posts, supervised by CP's are still well recieved. I'd let your interest/need for money decide You mention being very passionate about the subject area of the honourary post, if its enough to go unpaid for however long, I'd say take that But I agree with Ruthie and BlueCat in terms of the NHS vs Private debate, I wouldnt let that be a factor in your decision.

[schizometric]

Paid - without a doubt! As you said, you already have some NHS experience anyway, so there's little point (besides your interests) in taking a voluntary post in the NHS again.

You might find that you can work with similar clients in the private hospital.

This way, you'll have 1 paid AP post under your belt and NHS experience that you can play on in 6-12 months time when it comes to applying to NHS AP posts And, not have lost out financially!
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

[BlackGirlLost]

I am thinking the opposite. I say go with NHS only if it has potential to become funded and a full time role one day.

I once did two honoree placements, one in the NHS and one in private. The private one offered me a full time role and about 3 months later the NHS post offered me a full time position too.

The private sector is very different to the NHS but I am only going off what people I know have said and what I have seen.

Good luck x