to go, or not to go?!

Re: to go, or not to go?!

Mrs Dot Dot — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:06:31 GMT

I agree with if you have the travelling bug then don't ignore it... just go for it ... if it doesn't work out you can always come back... you may be away for only a few weeks or maybe a couple of years but the sights and situations and people you see and meet will stay with you for life ... it is an amazing experience and if you don't try it, you will end up regretting it.

I spent almost 2 years away a good few years ago in India, Indonnesia (an incredible country), Singapore, Malaysiia, Thailand and Oz ... it can be quite hard sometimes, it's not always easy but worth every second. Have to say that I have hardly been out of the country since but had dreamed of travelling since I was about 12... so my little trip must have ticked the right boxes for me!

Re: to go, or not to go?!

Caro Laithwaite VN — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:05:46 GMT

Good for you life has enough "what if's" l have also made a big decision in my life for next year that has to be based on a couple of other things but feel l have to try if the other 2 points work out as l think they will.

Life is for living while you can.

Re: to go, or not to go?!

Celine — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:16:45 GMT

Wonderful! Good on you! x

Re: to go, or not to go?!

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:01:25 GMT

Yay! So happy youre going to take a leap into the unknown :D Feel the fear, then do it anyway!

Re: to go, or not to go?!

Amy J — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:17:11 GMT

Thank you again for your comments, ive found them really helpful, espcially yours takora!!. i think thats what im going to do tho im still so unsure. ive told the boss now and he has taken it really well, he said he could tell i didnt feel the same. I find it increasingly difficult as everyday goes by, ive cried at nearly all PTS's this week (i wouldnt mind if they were all animals i knew and had helped which up until today they have been but today it was just an old cat, never been seen before) I think if i carry on here i will be suicidal if i dont get out soon!!! stupid i know. Traveling it is then.... a good break is needed i think!!!!!!

Re: to go, or not to go?!

Jessica Scaife — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 22:29:16 GMT

Believe me you aren't alone with these feelings, I'm a little bit different in the fact that I have decided I want to be a veterinary nurse. I started my training to be an Adult nurse and stuck it out for about 9 months but I just couldn't shake the feeling that I was in it for the wrong reasons, I love nursing but I was nursing the wrong species lol. I know there is better money in people nursing but I just couldn't carry on when I knew my heart wasn't really in it.

So now I have begun the daunting task of finding a training placement. I begin some volunteer work at the Birmingham RSPCA on Sunday and although I am low on the money side of things I am at least happier knowing I am going after what I really want to do.

As for the travelling believe me you won't rest until you do it. I am desperate to see the world, I have family in australia so I would love to live there for a few years aswell.

Go for it you only live once, don't live with regrets.

Re: to go, or not to go?!

Caro Laithwaite VN — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:37:27 GMT

I like the idea of free food that has my attention.. err what was the rest of this thread about?

Anyhow go for your dreams you never know when life will bite your backside. If you are not happy think what you would be happy in and head that way.

Re: to go, or not to go?!

Louise B — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:51:07 GMT

What a lovely post Takora! Uplifting. I would take her advice if I were you!

Can anybody foster your dogs for you? Maybe post their details on here if not - may be one of us could help out! x

Re: to go, or not to go?!

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:45:30 GMT

Hi, Im a long time reader and first time poster, but I had to post because this struck a chord with me :)

Im not a VN, but have been trying to find a training place for literally 10 years! I have been working full time at a zoo and am very passionate about conservation. The main reason for wanting to be a VN is because I want to travel, and since I got travelling inside my head it will not go away, and I promise you, it will not leave your head either :(

I would like to qualify so I can spend 6 months of a year in Indonesia helping birds in the illegal pet trade at a wildlife centre (and orangs, but im a bit scared of primates, lol). Being a VN means you get lots of bonuses as a volunteer, mainly free accomodation and food! I would do this every year until I go and live in australia with the BF after my dogs have grown old and died.

This is my dream, I just need a training place first and a few years of hard work, which is what you have already done! So this post is really me being selfish... GO TRAVELLING! See the world and use your obvious talent to do amazing things, the BF will understand (and maybe even join you), and so will your dogs ;) Australia would LOVE to have you for a while whilst you decide whats best for your future.

Im stuck here, cleaning up bird and dog poo, wishing I was learning something useful and using my brain. Youve got the brains, now go and make use of it in the most exhilerating way possible XD

Re: to go, or not to go?!

Amy J — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:17:52 GMT

Aww thank you for your replies, i feel better knowing that im not the only who feels like this. i almost feel bad for not enjoying it!

I have applied this week for 4 jobs in the area, all at bigger practices and ive registered with a locum agency so that i can see whats out there, maybe locum for a bit and see if that helps change my mind. i can also save up some money so that if i do decide to go traveling i will have some money.

When i was training i went to South Africa for work experience, in a wildlife rehabilitation center and i loved it. i so want to go back there but dont know that i can afford it as i volunteered last time. so ive also emailed the people i went through last time to see if there are any paid vacancies available out there.

Im really nervous now about telling my boss who is on holiday at the minute and back on monday!! EEK!

Re: to go, or not to go?!

Fleabee99 — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:55:48 GMT

[quote user="Fleabee99"]wasnt really pissed [/quote]

** was pissed

Re: to go, or not to go?!

Fleabee99 — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:54:24 GMT

hey hun i just read this and HAD to post, you sound exactly like me!! its freaky!! i tell you what i did,

worked as a volunteered for 3 years on weekends while doing alevels, applied for harper adams, got in and all ready to go but decided i couldnt live 200 miles away from my boyfriend and family so decided to take the NVQ route closer to home, searched for 2 years for a position, finally landed the trainee position id dreamed of for so many years, 4 weeks in decided it wasnt for me ......

i was devastated,

i had no idea what to do coz nursing had always been the be all and end all for me, ended up with depression again after being clear for 5 years, wasnt really pissed at myself because i never saw this coming after all that volunteer work, and guilty coz i was taking a trainee position which someone else deserved!!

*breathes*

sooo i decided to look at what i did enjoy about nursing which was primarily for me the xray dep so enquired about this and 1 year on im 5 weeks away from starting radiographer training at leeds university, and i now have a dog and still have the bf lol!

then as if my bubble cant be popped my interest in nursing is starting up again, but i have chosen to believe this is nostalga rather than an actual want, so flicking thru the net and thinking it over i find a veterinary post for a qualified radiographer, so best of both worlds i believe,

basically i know its scary and believe me i was devastated when i realised but you just cant stay in a job where your not happy, my problem is that i get bored very easily and i think this was a major part in both my decison to leave nursing and to go on to radiography, because il be honest radiography isnt my calling in life and it never will be i just find it interesting and its everchanging so i hope il find it interesting for a very long time, plus the money is brill! but really if i had to leave because i wasnt happy, you never know i may be back in 6 months time saying radiography wasnt for me but atleast i tried

i still from time to time think being an rspca officer would have been perfect for me but i supose if that the case i find my way there eventually, but anyways at the mo the veterinary radiographer is looking like a promising choice so il see where it goes

id suggest locuming and finding a practice that may be right for you, i.e referral, if this doesnt work you may have to look elsewhere but you have a degree i assume so if you were re-training you could enter with that, which is easier transition-wise,

anyways i hope ive helped =) i will subscribe to this so let me know how you get on

xxx

Re: to go, or not to go?!

Nicola Oliver — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:39:51 GMT

You sound exactly like me Amy! I'm not sure if nursing is really what I want to do anymore as I just don't have the enthusiasm I used to for it. I have tried moving practices but it often ends up the same - every day is groundhog day and too many practice politics and egos.

It's my last day at my permanent job today and going to start as a locum from next week and see if things improve. At least the money will be better if nothing else!

Hope you decide what you want to do and good luck with what you choose. Travelling sounds like a fantastic idea and again I'm in the same position as you with a boyfriend (mine isn't all that interested in travelling although I'd love to go) and dogs too.

P.S. Sorry I'm not really helping you with your decision, just having a moan!

Re: to go, or not to go?!

Kelly Armstrong — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:46:40 GMT

Been going through this for the past few years. Went on a 6 week holiday to Auz to see how much i missed home. I rushed home as i missed it so much 1 year on i want to go and work in Auz. I agree locum is best place to start as you get some really good contacts and can make more money to put towards the possibility of travel.

To look for a job in Auz the best place to start is kookaburra vetrinary employment. Hope this helps.

Re: to go, or not to go?!

Celine — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:10:13 GMT

Ah bless you Amy, I can really sympathise.

I've been qualified for about 11 years, and have spent a sizeable chunk of the last 5 years working only half the year nursing, and the other half on a conservation project in Greece.

Recently made the decision to try to "settle down" but its very hard to go from doing something like the conservation stuff to arguing with stroppy clients about the cost of their flea treatment... I've been locuming for quite a while and absolutely identify with your lack of enthusiasm about that same routine each day. It really suits some people to have a job like that, but obviously not you or I.

I've been rescued in a way by bagging myself an amazing job working as VN in a zoo. Although its just a locum position for a few months, it has opened my eyes and made me realise that I adore exotics work, and it appeals to my conservation-worker side. So, even ifI do move on from here when the other nurse returns, it means I will be focussing on finding zoo or exotics jobs and now feel that even if I'm in practice I'll look forward to going to work again, something I hadn't had for a few years until now. AND I can see myself as a VN for years to come, whereas I had been seriously looking at other careers.

So, I guess my advice to you would be to look around, and find something that you love. It may or may not be vet nursing. It may just be that you need to find a slightly bigger, more buzzing place with enthusiastic workmates. I guess given your ties then my first step would be to locum around and see how everyone works. I've been offered soooo many jobs based on just a few weeks locuming for people (usually because they can't find permanent nurses, we're a rare breed!) so I feel you'd be in a really good position then. Its also a good way to earn a good amount of money for traveling....

If the idea of traveling has gotten into your brain then you need to throw your hands up in surrender. It won't go away and you may end up resenting anything (or anyone?) who is holding you back (even if they're not doing it intentionally). Been there, done that....So, how does your boyfriend feel about traveling? Or maybe another friend? I did it by myself...Would you have someone you could leave the doggies with?

It IS scary (I sat in Singapore airport bathrooms and cried for 2 hours when i left New Zealand... ) but it can be the making of you too. Also, what is expensive? You are thinking about doing something that will enrich your life and the person you are. Its priceless! Aussie would be happy to have you I am sure! Everything will all fall into place if this is what you want to do.

Good luck!! And keep me posted on whatever you decide!

Celine