on the edge of giving up!

Re: on the edge of giving up!

starla — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:00:24 GMT

hi guys just to drop in again and say thanks for the advice :)

I really don't want to give up, this is the career I desperately want, but...I am really not in a position to do the degree course.

I went for an interview at another place but not holding out too much hope! I think they were looking for someone more experienced - although how much more experienced I'm not sure, I do have quite a bit

This situation of not enough training places/no one wanting to train nurses is awful though, I can't believe it's been allowed to go on for so long. I expect I'll be doing some god awful job from now until next year when I can start trying again for places.

good luck everyone else and thanks again for the advice.

Re: on the edge of giving up!

albatross — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 23:22:52 GMT

just keep looking.
it took me 3 1/2 years to get a SVN place, then I lost it after 3 months through no fault of my own - and that was 160 miles from home!
I've now been looking for nearly a year again - no joy.
Local county rarely has anywhere with places, new rules meant to make it easier seem to have created even fewer spaces for the hundreds of us that have been looking for years.
It's taken one member 10 years to finally get a place....

As has been mentioned, doing it the degree route is the only other way but you have to be prepared to pay for everything and not get paid for the working hours, and there's only a few places in the country you can take the course (for me that's 100 miles from home and I would have to pay rent, and lose the house and all my animals if I didn't have an income).

at my advanced age, and even though people say they like mature students, when it comes to it, those on lower minimum wage do seem to be employed before oldies...

Just keep looking out for job adverts, try asking the local college who they give places to and if the practices might have a space for a new trainee.
Also try and get lot of work experience or related paid work to boost your cv, and make sure your qualifications are to the required standard (having said that with over 4 years vet nursing experience, an HND in animal management seem to count for diddley squat when I apply....)

good luck, and welcome to the real world of trying to become a VN.......but you never know you might just be the lucky one who walks into a trainee job while the rest of us are still chasing it...

Re: on the edge of giving up!

suedrink — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:48:36 GMT

Hi ya,

Yes it seems to be tough! My son was supposed to be doing the new course and his college finding him a placement, but the only one available was 25 miles from home, and the college was 48 miles away!

So after fees of £1450 for the first year alone ( and obviously the £195 RCVS registration) and buying his own uniform etc. and not being paid for the work in placement, I'm not sure how, as a 17 year old, he was supposed to pay for the petrol/ train, to get him there, for the next 2 years??? Really not do-able, so has had to turn it down.

I really do not see any benefits to the new course at all???

Good luck though, and don't give up! We are going to try for a January intake x

Re: on the edge of giving up!

Sally Seddon — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:34:36 GMT

I think some colleges are able to find placements for you. Please dont give up, trust me i know how frustrating it can be but you will get there if u keep trying hun xxx

Re: on the edge of giving up!

lskm 23 — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:28:07 GMT

Whereabouts are you? Doing the degree would be a good option. You can also do the new course and the college will find your placement, or so I understand from other people.

Dont give up on your dream as you may come to regret it in years to come.

Re: on the edge of giving up!

Sammyannieantha — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:59:35 GMT

Hi hun have you thought about doing a vet nursing degree?I was going to do that if i couldnt find a place-I know you still need a placement but thats only for a year i think on the degree-Iv heard that some practices have sort of 'temporary' accrediation for TP practice....hope this helps or hope it points you ion the right direction...x