vet nurse degree

Re: vet nurse degree

salliee5 — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:21:13 GMT

Here is my two cents...

I did the NVQ years ago when the degree wasn't and option and even at that time I would have preferred to do the NVQ as you get paid whilst studying and it's faster etc. Having said all that I was 2 years ago in a situation where I didn't want to nurse anymore, and I really wanted to do some exciting academic work.

I am now doing a Zoology degree (which I love dearly 2 years in) but I am doing it in order to get onto a PhD. I would strongly encourage anyone to get a degree where and when possible as if at any stage you decide that nursing is not for you (and hopefully this won't happen!) your degree will stand you in a good position for moving onwards.

I guess this is a wholey personal opinion and their are laods of other routes out there with an NVQ don't get me wrong, but just for me I needed a degree to get where I wanted and didn't have one!

Also think about the degree costs, it is going to get a hell of a lot more expensive soon!!

Sal x

Re: vet nurse degree

Lesley M — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:11:45 GMT

Im currently on the 2nd yr of the degree at Middlesex and have just finished a year of placement where I felt valued and a member of the team. It is a large referral practice so I am very lucky and know I can go back whenever I want. I go back into lectures next week which are going to be 4 days per week.

I was working a long week with a mixture of shifts so it would be hard to do another job unless it was at the weekend. During lecture time it may be possible but last year there was a lot of revision and essays to do so no doubt be harder this year.

I am a mature student and am luckily able to fund myself. To be honest if I was 18 - 21, I would look for an SVN job because I think you can get yourself into a lot of debt doing the degree and degree nurses get no more financially/experience wise than a NVQ/Apprenticeship nurse.

Re: vet nurse degree

Emma Clark — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 14:43:40 GMT

I also did the degree at Middlesex/RVC, it had benefits for me to do it that way, firstly i spent a year looking for training places between finishing college and starting uni and had no luck, secondly i really wanted to do a degree and move away from home for a bit. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. I don't feel that either was produces better or worse nurses it just comes down to the individual. I was employed by the first job i applied for after graduating and am still working there, i did feel at the time of employing me though that the company didn't really know much about the degree so were a little hesitant.

Re: vet nurse degree

oozysuzy — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 07:11:44 GMT

i think im gonna go for it, just need to find out about childcare grants whilst at uni,then im gonna apply!!ahhh eexciting!

i also need to get some work experience before they will consider any applications, fingers crossed that my vets will let me do some there!!

thanks for all the advice,i dont think i can wait to find a training pratice with a vacancy so i think this is the right way to go!as i am so ancient!

Re: vet nurse degree

Claire Cameron — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:01:20 GMT

[quote user="Katie Brocklebank"]But I have heard when you do the degree you will always get a job! [/quote]

I don't think that is correct

Re: vet nurse degree

Katie B — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 23:07:01 GMT

When I decided to go into it, I had a look at what I think was the RCVS website. They went through the pros and cons of both the NVQ option and the degree option. They basically said that the degree is a lot more expensive than the NVQ. But they arrange your placements which believe me would be a godsend. Otherwise you will be doing what I am doing and having to send off 50 letters each month and having to put up with the rejection letters coming through the door. I had previously done a degree so I have to do the NVQ option as I can't get another student loan and what with the tuition fees going up as well. Otherwise I would have loved to have done a degree in VN. Anyway basically this site was more for the NVQ option as it is a lot cheaper. But I have heard when you do the degree you will always get a job!

Re: vet nurse degree

Kim Buckley — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:32:02 GMT

I did the degree at Middlesex/RVC and it was definately the right route for me. I wanted to go to university and I loved it. However I don't think it is the right choice for everyone. We had a lot of people drop out as they were offered NVQ placements in the practices they went to.

I suppose it depends on what you want. I wanted a degree and I wasn't bothered that it took me 4 years to qualify via this route. I have got a large amount of debt because of it though.

As for my practical skills, I feel that I had an advantage over a lot of NVQ nurses I have worked with as I experienced different practices through placement including referral and 1 vet practices. I was also incredibly lucky because I was able to work through my holidays at a large hospital where I was treated like one of the staff and did go on to work. I know some degree courses don't do this though and you are only put in one practice.

As for being able to work aswell as doing the degree, I know I couldn't. We had lectures everyday and were sent on placements which was like working full time. If you were lucky you may be able to find a placement practice who paid you. I know some degrees do it differently so you would have to look in to this.

I suppose it completely depends on your own situation.

Re: vet nurse degree

oozysuzy — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:15:55 GMT

i think you are right about the avaliability of svn jobs around!im also nearly 30 and really want to get on and qualify in a job i know i will love once i get going!wish id done it earlier!

when you were completeing your degrees did you have any spare time for extra work? i have a young baby and will need to pay for childcare and living costs whilst studying!

Re: vet nurse degree

Carolyn Edwards — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 12:17:10 GMT

I did the degree at Bristol.

The pros: they arranged our term time placements for us (not always as easy to arrange as you might think); placements were a mix of first opinion and referral so I saw a wider range of procedures, treatments and operations than I would have otherwise; there appear to be more degree places than SVN jobs!

The cons: my student loan and other debts!

There is a feeling that degree nurses are less experienced than TP trained nurses. If you spend your whole training period with one TP you will become very familiar with their way of doing things but wont necessarily see a great variety of styles, specialised or cutting edge treatments. Of course you can always broaden your experience after qualifying or ask your employer to arrange a placement at a nearby referral centre for you.

Personally, if I had the choice again I would look for a SVN job in a large TP that has a mix of first opinion and referral work and then continue my education after qualifying. There are plenty of options these days - certificates, diplomas, top-up degrees, etc. If I couldn't get that I'd try to get a place on the 'best' degree course I could - one that I felt would best prepare me for the type of job I wanted to get when qualified.

At the end of the day, your main goal is to get qualified and both routes will help you achieve that. Good luck and best wishes with whatever you decide to do

Re: vet nurse degree

eveleen — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 09:29:45 GMT

I did the degree route but at Hartpury College and to be honest if I could of got into a training practice I would of chosen that option. It has taken me alot longer than people who have gone straight into practice and I feel they had more experience than me because they had more time in practice.