RVN wanting to move on...

Re: RVN wanting to move on...

Karen Wilkins — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 23:26:56 GMT

Hi Gems

I was a Lecturer for 4 years at a land-based college before Animalcare, and taught from special-needs school children through to BSc undergrads. I LOVED the teaching, real sense of job satisfaction BUT it was the politics and lack of life that got me in the end. If you are prepared to work 10-12 hours a day, then I would recommend it, but be aware that teaching is a huge committment - both to the job and to the students.

If you want more info on getting your foot in the door for teaching then PM me and I'll see if I can help!

Karen

Re: RVN wanting to move on...

Sammyannieantha — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 22:03:15 GMT

Can i just say though that change can be good but the grass isnt always greener and sometimes it can backfire!I left my practice (in my home town) after 5 years (which I trained at)-there was nothing wrong, I loved the people, loved the clients and animals,I just felt like I needed a change and I became very set in my ways and wanted for more experience. Regretfully I took a job that was 50 mins away from where I lived and the commute was just too much-it was never 50 minutes it was more like one hour 15 every single day- it made me constantly exhausted and ill.The traffic was always against me and I found that the travelling was impossible and through no fault of the new practice, after a short stint there, I left. This may sound biast but after another interview at another practice I found that they wernt a patch on my old practice. I totally regret leaving the practice I trained at and there are actually lots of prospects there, i just failed to realise it before!I am now frantically looking for locum work as well as trying to get my old job back...Its not just travelling you have to bear in mind-every practice is different,some have lesser/ better reps/standards than others, some are smaller/bigger, some have weird and wonderful ways of doing things but I urge people to be absolutely sure you are making the right decision-look at the whole picture-not everyone will feel the same but i know i made a big mistake.....

Re: RVN wanting to move on...

pugwon — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 10:32:25 GMT

Me too! I have never had much of a life 'plan', I dream a lot and come up with many good? (or not so good?!) ideas but never actually change anything!!

I also am very much in a rut, having been nursing for 12 years, locuming, assessor, emergency, HVN etc etc all the usual variations! Im in an area I love and want to stay in, but I have the best nursing job/practice I know there is in the area, so where do I go from here? Im not drawn to anything else outside of the vn profession, and I still like nursing so would like to stay in something where my qualification is of use/related. Sorry I sound very ungrateful for being in such a good practice, but i've been there for a long time and the practice is changing massively (not for the good), so Im kinda thinking nows the time to go?

Making change is always difficult, especially when everyone worked so hard for there vn qualification and at some point, even if they don't anymore, have enjoyed their job (no-one has done this job for the money have they?!!) Its a hard career and can be tough to make that decision to leave or not, but good luck for those that are, and well done to those that have! Not that i want to encourage people to leave the profession, I just empathise with those in 'the rut' x

Re: RVN wanting to move on...

Mac Feather — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 21:38:20 GMT

I envy you guys with vision!

Re: RVN wanting to move on...

Lou Hayward — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 19:06:34 GMT

That is sooo spooky - I only come on here to catch up once in a blue moon and today I find my name cropping up!

Wendy - as the Princess mentioned, I've just graduated with a BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science degree from the University of Bedfordshire (got a First - woooo hooooo ). It was very very hard work but also intensely fascinating. Like you, I wanted to study something that would be applicable to both humans and animals - the Biomedical Science programme is heavily human-based as it is designed for those who want to work in NHS hospital labs, but I found the principles to be pretty much relevant to both humans and animals with regards to physiology, biochemistry, genetics, haematology, immunology etc etc - just the anatomy being a little different I suppose

Where will you be studying? Is your degree IBMS accredited? The course has to reach pretty high standards to be accredited, and it means you can move into the NHS to get your registration to become a qualified Biomedical Scientist upon graduation should you so choose.

When I started the degree I had the idea that I would move into veterinary diagnostic laboratory work as I LOVED the in-house lab work we used to at my training practice. However, much to my surprise I ended up being captivated by the Molecular Genetics elements of the course (hated genetics at school!) and ended up doing my final-year research project with the Canine Genetics Research Group at the Animal Health Trust. That was a truly amazing experience and it has influenced my future, as I now hope to go into genetic research into inherited diseases of dogs - maybe even working towards a PhD eventually (bit too scared just yet!).

My advice to you is to think outside the box when it comes to doing your final-year project - I know it's a way off yet but as you go through your studies you'll more than likely find you have a leaning towards one of the disciplines (eg biochemistry or pathology), then try to find a placement outside of the university to do the practical work if they will allow you. My uni was so supportive of me wanting to do my project on doggy genetics (DNA is DNA whatever the species, and the molecular techniques are pretty much identical) - so try to choose a project that feeds your passion, whatever it is, and be proactive about gaining experience away from the confines of the uni if you can.

I found the Biomedical Science course to be very broad and maybe a bit too shallow in places - it tries to spread itself too thinly I think. On the other hand it maximises the chances of you finding an area you might like to specialise in.

I have absolutely no regrets about my decision to study for a first degree as a mature student (I'm 45 now) - I found that my work and life experiences enhanced the learning experience no end. To anybody considering embarking on a degree I would say GO FOR IT! You've always got your nursing experience so you can locum in the holidays (I did petsitting and dog grooming to keep me going - feel too rusty to locum these days!).

I will try to keep up with this thread if anybody has any questions - or feel free to PM me

Best of luck

Re: RVN wanting to move on...

wendy scott — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 17:03:43 GMT

Thanks Louise. :D x

Re: RVN wanting to move on...

Louise B — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 11:33:59 GMT

Hi Wendy, I think you are thinking of Lou Hayward. x

Re: RVN wanting to move on...

wendy scott — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:17:24 GMT

I have just this week started a hons degree in biomedical science which like the radiography i can use in the human or veterinary world, which is great because i love nursing but i needed a new challenge and felt this would be great as it has a whole host of options after the degree.

I know there is another nurse studying biomedical science does anyone know who she is, i had one or two questions. Sorry to ask in an already established thread but didn't want to start another one for that.

If you wanted to try something else my advice would be take the plunge and go for it, if you want to stay in the profession what about specialising in an area of nursing that really interests you?

Hope it helps

Wendy x

Re: RVN wanting to move on...

Anonymous — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 19:56:05 GMT

i was so desperate to leave the vn world untill i got the new job. i love every morning now. look forward to meeting the staff and having fun. i am now in no hurry to leave the vet world and am looking forward to a long life at this vets. may be a change of vets would help freshen things up for you., x

Re: RVN wanting to move on...

Calli D — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:16:03 GMT

I got into a major rut a few years back after being in the same practice for 13years adn couldn't see a way out! I was too nervous to make a big change and despite loving where I worked, I was unsure whether nursing was something I wanted to continue to do. Finally I plucked up the courage to take a career break and I travelled abroad working as a volunteer, firstly teaching English, which was oh so very scary, and then after that I volunteered on a conservation reserve. I had the chance to work with some of the local animals and I loved every minute of it. For me it reinforced the love I have for animals and helping them. Since coming home I have been working as a locum which has its ups and downs but all in all, it has been a good experience for me. Its very strange to go into new practices all the time but you get to meet some lovely people and work with some really good teams. You also get to learn a lot and pass on what you know or have learnt to other practices.

I am wanting to settle in an area now but still like the idea and the freedom of being a locum. I may even still change profession a bit if something came along that felt right. We'll just have to see how things pan out.

i'd love to do a stint working with the Worldwide Veterinary Service but have since got a new puppy so that has put a dampner on that for a while. I love her to bits though so I don't begrudge my impetuous decision that day at all

All the very best luck to you what ever you decide to do.

Re: RVN wanting to move on...

Fleabee99 — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:24:19 GMT

o0o0o i dont know about that, i think its only the first time round, but worth contacting them and asking if you havent done an NHS course before they may do, contact NHS bursaries they may be able to help, what you looking at doing?

xxx

Re: RVN wanting to move on...

emma sime — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:43:31 GMT

Hey!

Do u know if the NHS pay for the degree for graduates retraining too?

emmax

Re: RVN wanting to move on...

Tracy Windler RVN — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:49:57 GMT

I was feeling stuck in a rut and that I might change my career direction, such as teaching, but since locumming, then finding a practice I am very happy in, I seem to have changed my mind! I feel that in this practice I am more valued and have a much more supportive role, despite the routine work being less challenging. Just a thought, worth trying before you leave nursing altogether.

T x

Re: RVN wanting to move on...

Fleabee99 — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:03:38 GMT

ever thought of retraining? another medical career perhaps? i only suggest because i thought nursing was the be all and end all for me but after 3 months realised it wasnt, so im off to uni to do radiography, which can be used in both human and veterinary, just a thought, also the NHS pays for the degree which helps!! and it pays alot more in the end.

good luck finding something!

xxx

Re: RVN wanting to move on...

Mac Feather — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:31:21 GMT

I can empathise! I envy people that have vision and know what they'd like to do. Im happy with what I do at the moment (still using my qualification but Im not in practice).

I did have a brief foray into cafe work after I left the practice I was for 13-14yrs, oh it wasnt fun! It was an eye opener though!

Sorry Im not much help.