Getting a foot in the door

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Katie B — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 00:15:48 GMT

I am in the same boat and everyone I have spoken to has told me to volunteer and write monthly letters to show how keen you are. Good luck hun!

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Sal the 1st — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 20:51:57 GMT

[quote user="Kelly Roberts"]

Thank you so much :D

My start date has been put back to the 6th. But, to be honest, it's been handy having a bit more time to sort everything out with the job centre and stuff before going back. I have signed SO many forms over the last few days :p

[/quote]

yes this was my experience of the job centre earlier in the year - you struggle your guts out to find a job and then they make it difficult for you with the paperwork. I started work in april of this year and jobcentre and tax office have still not managed to communicate with each other!

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Kelly Roberts — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 19:55:43 GMT

Thank you so much :D

Got my welcome pack from the PDSA yesterday! Really excited about starting. I am nervous and I am starting to worry about having a proper job again after so long away from work. But I really am more excited than nervous :D

Kelly.xx

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Jeniflower — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:47:00 GMT

Just picked up this thread again Kelly so sorry for my delay in saying...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

You will learn so much at the PDSA and don't worry about the bad days, there's a great support team of nurses on here to rant to and get support from!

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Kelly Roberts — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 17:15:01 GMT

Thank you everyone

I woke up feeling very excited today!! Having a bit of a *wibble* about when I'll get paid and that I have absolutely bugger all savings!! But other than that I am mega excited

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Sally Howe — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 11:42:12 GMT

Well done x x x

Re: Getting a foot in the door

BengalcatRVN — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 11:37:00 GMT

Well done!

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Deemus — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 11:04:21 GMT

Congratulations! like the others, I'm really chuffed for you!

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Susan Taylor RVN — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 09:46:04 GMT

Congratulations!! I'm dead chuffed for u! You'll love it

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Louisa Cocks — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 09:23:38 GMT

Congrats and well done

Can still remember how excited I was when I got my training place (a long time ago!!)

Hope it all goes well

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Kelly Roberts — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:52:07 GMT

I GOT IT!!!!!!

I was there for just over two hours and got stuck in with everything and helped as much as I could. Think I impressed one of the guys coz I cleaned a kennel out for him

Everyone was really nice and very welcoming and just let me muck in. Got to hold a puppy...which was obviously the highlight of the day

The head nurse took me to the office and sat me down with the numeracy and literacy test and when I was done offered me the job there and then!!!

So I am now a Trainee Vet Care Assistant at the PDSA and I start on the 1st December *happy dance*

Cannot thank you all enough on here for your advice and support. Feel brave enough to start venturing round the forum a bit more now so hopefully see some of you about.

Kelly.xx

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Vicky RVN — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 19:29:36 GMT

How did it go today? Well i hope

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Kelly Roberts — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 21:48:33 GMT

Everyone at my practice was really excited and very supportive of me today! I can't imagine actually leaving there, so seen as I will only be doing 3 days a week if I get the job I am going to try and keep my Tuesday placement, even if it is just once or twice a month, so I still get my theatre time and see everyone. Will have to see what my rota's and stuff are like first. IF I get it ;)

I assisted for the very first time putting a dog to sleep today. I've observed and assisted a lot with other species and although it's sad, it just doesn't effect me like dogs do. I think they're definitely my weakness! I've avoided all the dog pts's since I started at my practice and the last time I saw a dog get pts it was my little old man dog who we'd had for over 18yrs!! But as heartbreaking as it was, I know I can do it now and I can hold it together and be professional and calm in front of clients and staff. HUGE step for me tho!

Eeeeeeek at tomorrow!!!!

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Kim Buckley — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 09:08:32 GMT

Whoop whoop!

I'm sure you will do great!

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Kelly Roberts — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:12:05 GMT

That is such a nice thing to say! Thank you

Hopefully I wont do anything to mess it up. I tend to be a bit clumsy when I'm nervous-usually trying to open autoclave bags or syringe packets lol!

Just hope I fit in and that they like me and want to give me a chance.

Kelly.x

Re: Getting a foot in the door

salliee5 — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 23:59:50 GMT

Haha!! Yippee this has been such a lovely thread to read from start to finish

Best of luck on Friday and let us all know how you get on

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Kelly Roberts — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 23:30:29 GMT

I got the call I'm going in on Friday morning for a few hours to see if I like it there

Can't believe it!!! My vet thinks I'll walk it and I hope he's right.

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Louisa Cocks — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 17:09:27 GMT

Good Luck, hope it works out for you

Re: Getting a foot in the door

BengalcatRVN — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 16:25:26 GMT

well done you! Hope you get a good call too

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Kelly Roberts — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 15:04:07 GMT

Bought my all day bus pass this morning and jumped on the bus only to be told I couldn't use it because it was too early I had just spent all the cash I had on the bloody thing and the driver wouldn't let me stay on So walked to the shopping centre and got money out, but was too late to get the buses as I would have been late. Had to get a fecking taxi!! ARGH!!!!

But apart from that it went really well *I think*

I was in there for about 45mins and did lots of chatting with the head nurse and practice manager-both were very lovely They know my boss/vet too, which I hope is a good thing
We talked about how the rota works, holidays, working bank holidays and the like, the work and training I'd be doing, and I actually managed to ask quite a few questions

The head nurse is gonna call me back later today and if they like me I'll be asked back for a trial morning or afternoon later this week. Eeeeek!! I hope I get a good call

Re: Getting a foot in the door

BengalcatRVN — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 12:16:32 GMT

good luck! Hope things have gone well for you

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Kelly Roberts — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 18:08:21 GMT

I have total brain fail when it comes to asking questions. Usually the ones I've thought to ask get answered throughout the interview!

I like your one though about what they are looking for. A friend asked me to ask whoever is interviewing me what they like about their job/working for the PDSA.

*wibbles*

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Kim Buckley — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:38:55 GMT

Good luck! Just be yourself and you will be fine!

Try and think of some questions to ask them. A good one suggested to me on here by Claire was "What are you looking for in a student nurse?" You can then make yourself sound even more perfect for the job! hehe

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Kelly Roberts — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 14:42:28 GMT

I completely agree with volunteering. Over the years I have done more voluntary work than I have paid work Most recently I have been volunteering at my own vet practice for just over 18months!! So I'm just hoping that all I have done will finally pay off with this interview.

Sounds like you have done really well and I will keep my fingers crossed for your student VN job :D

Oh and I love Simon's Cat ;)

Kelly.x

Re: Getting a foot in the door

Nichola231 — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 11:19:42 GMT

Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer!!

I did over the summer in the sister practice of the Veterinary Hospital I did my VCA placement in. I had lost my job so had nothing better to do anyway lol! From there I got a paid, temporary full time contract in the VH as a nursing assistant and now I may have a student nursing position waiting for me in January!

Best of luck with everything! xx