Don't know what to do?

Re: Don't know what to do?

kittyjo — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 17:24:01 GMT

Not sure if my words will appease you but to say that time will tell...

I too struggled at first and I have been an unqualified nurse now for almost 8 years. I cannot do the formal training where I am as it's Cats-Only but in previous hospitals I know the frustration of being promised time to get coursework etc done and it's not.

With the client/telephone/reception side of things. I REALLY dreaded it at some places I worked.

I found that it got easier over time the more I did it and to let everyone know that it's not your strongest area right now. Ask for help and support.

Don't be pushed into a corner but we all have to enter out of our comfort zone eventually. Part of the job of being a nurse is being an "all-rounder", whether certain members of staff *cough*vets*cough* realise it or not.

Also if you are run off your feet and vets are demanding of you. Don't be scared to say I'm sorry but I'm occupied right now with other duties, I'll be there to help when I can or I shall at least help find someone else to help in the meantime. Sometimes they need to be told otherwise they just assume you're not busy.

If only they knew ay?

As for thinking if this is the career for you. You are not alone.

Even if it isn't, there's no shame in it. People have appx 6 career changes in their lifetime so don't beat yourself about it.

If alot of this is making you sad or depressed. If you are going to work crying or it's really effecting you then please talk to someone.

Talk to someone at work and confide. You will be surprised. They may not have realised the pressure you have been under.

I hope some of my words have helped.

Take care

xxxxx

Re: Don't know what to do?

hissycat — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 17:03:10 GMT

I sympathise with you as I found dealing with the public very hard at first, but after a while you just develop ways of dealing with certain things and I think the more you do it the easier it gets. I even used to enjoy a chat with some of our clients in the end, especially if they show an interest in your work If you've been in the job a while and it still hasn't got any easier at all then maybe you would be better off either in a different job or more as a 'back of house' nurse, maybe specialising in theatre work if you enjoy that? Please don't take it personally when people moan about the prices and stuff, if you let that stuff wash over you a bit you will prob find things easier, and if someone really has a go, get someone senior or just politely point out that you are only doing your job and don't have control over the entire practice! unfortunately vets will always expect you to do a million things at once, just prioritise the really important stuff and explain that you are working your way through everything else, sometimes they don't realise just how busy you are. Is there anyone you trust at the practice you can speak to about this? Maybe getting an outsiders view would help as they prob think you are a brilliant nurse and coping better than you think you are. If there is opportunity for spending more time in kennels, theatre, though maybe ask about this as I prefer this too and some nurses prefer client contact, so sometimes something can be worked out. Hope things work out for you

Re: Don't know what to do?

Laura James — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 22:22:50 GMT

[quote user="sazzle RVN"]

i would agree with the above, sounds like you want to work with animals but not in the 'veterinary' environment.

[/quote]

My practice has, and a lot of bigger practices also have a kennel 'maid' (assistant) which sounds like what you said you like to do - staying in the kennel area and caring for the patients - usually just walking and cleaning out inpatients - very minimal contact with the public unless you feel happy talking to owners and no reception work

Re: Don't know what to do?

bongo — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 22:14:30 GMT

i would agree with the above, sounds like you want to work with animals but not in the 'veterinary' environment. Its nothing to worry about, you have tried it and you didnt like it, we all have these little experiences in life. Why don't you try getting a job in a kennels/cattery/shelter/petshop, something along those lines?

as for vets thinking you have 10 pairs of hands, this unfortunately is pretty much across the board, it doesn't get better, you just have to learn to deal with it ie, point out to the vet you can only do one thing at once, you only have one pair of hands, if you had more hands you would join the circus!!!

hope whatever you decide it makes you happy!

Re: Don't know what to do?

paula morgan — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 22:12:24 GMT

I started in september too, i love my job but unfortunately i couldnt handle being away for 4 weeks at a time from my hubby and kids, i was so stressed out all the time trying to juggle everything, npl, essays, studying, home, family, something had to give so i quit my course and am working as an ANA in my practice, I passed me ANA cousre with distinction last year and I was very proud of myself for doing this. I am 46 and I really wish I had started my vn training years ago but i have worked with horses all my life so i just didnt get round to it, but tbh I am a lot happier now and stress free, still doin a job i love and doin distance learning courses and cpd so its worked out well for me and i will continue to learn as much as possible, al never be a qvn though, i have missed the boat in that respect but hey ho lifes good x

Re: Don't know what to do?

Katie B — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:54:52 GMT

What about an animal care assistant at Kennels or shelter?

Re: Don't know what to do?

Sal the 1st — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:36:53 GMT

only you can make the decision what is right or wrong for you - and you can get advice this way or that which instead of making things clearer can make the outlook a lot murkier. What is right for one may not be for another - thats the way it is.

you could have a go at doing the following

being as honest as you can write down a list of all the pros of staying in the job and another of all the cons.Sometimes it helps to see it in black and white on a page and helps you to make your own decisions.

if you decide to leave veterinary work behind then maybe go and see a careers advisor and complete a work type questionnaire to help you decide where you would like to find yourself.( You can find these questionnaires online if you cant get in with a careers advisor)

everybody changes over time and what was right for us a few years ago may not be now - the important thing is to recognise when things have changed and then do what you need to do to make it work for you - although sometimes it 'safe' to stick with what you know sometimes its a lot more fullfilling to take a risk on something new but only you will know what is right for you.