Disheartened

Re: Disheartened

Fleabee99 — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:19:16 GMT

just wanted to say i got all my gcses and went on to do alevels and have still been through hell and high water to get even an interview (i only got the interview because i was volunteering in two practices on a weekly basis (previously got refused an interview because "i could only be bother to do 3 weeks exp as well as doing my alevels" according to the nurse), was actually told by one other nurse in the past that i was wasting my time at college and might aswell have been sat on my a*rse for the 3 years !! slightly harsh but basically the only person who is bothered about the qualifications is the college

rant over =)

Re: Disheartened

Maria Mahon — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:36:42 GMT

Just to give an update, I spoke to my old school this morning (half term last week grr!) and they confirmed via telephone that my Science grade is a D. But everyone; Practice Manager, HVN, Clinical Director etc. have all been wonderful and supportive and I feel a lot better about the situation already (thanks to everyones kind words of encouragement on here also .)

The Practice Mmanager is going to liase with the college principal as to what the best option for me will be and it looks to be like I will embark on the ANA course..will keep you posted!

Re: Disheartened

Angel — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 21:08:41 GMT

Maria,

You shouldn't be soo disheartened. Sometimes things happen for a reason, maybe its because you weren't really ready for the SVN course when you applied, or maybe another door wasn't ready to open for you.

I was in your shoes, many, many, many moons ago. I decided to do the ANA course, (which was Pre-VN and then changed to ANA just as I was completing the final stages), and I am sooo glad I did.

My college tutors trained "us" as 1st year VN's. This gave me a head start when I did eventually get to enrol as an SVN. Plus, there were things on the VN course that we were expected to know, which I did, because I had learned these skills and knowledge on the ANA course.

You need to re-think your strategy. You will get there, don't give up. Persevere and you will win through in the end.....it may just take you a little longer than you originally thought, but belive me it will make you a better nurse!!

Best wishes

Angel

Re: Disheartened

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:37:28 GMT

Hi Maria, cant you just upgrade your D, as in do some science modules, that would be quicker than having to do the whole thing again. Look at some colleges they offer distance learning for things like that.

I like a lot on here did not have the necessary either, and went to night school to do higher Human biology to get my 5th subject, I already had standard grade Biology, maths, English,History, but needed a fifth, I did not fancy anything at standard grade so went onto the higher, and I got an A, so I was well pleased.

Check out colleges, they will have some modular courses to upgrade to a C pass.

Re: Disheartened

bongo — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:21:43 GMT

I think that if that is the case and nursing is what you really want to do then go for it, dont be disheartened, just think of all the underpinning knowledge you will have having done the ANA aswell. I definately think college should have noticed though before you started, not very good on their part and maybe you should say something about that because you will now have to wait for a new ANA year to start will you??

at the end of the day you will still be working towards the same goal, you sound really keen so enjoy all your training!

Re: Disheartened

Saskia Quinn — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:08:30 GMT

Thank you Nick xx

Re: Disheartened

Nick Shackleton — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:06:38 GMT

Likewise Paula well done you

Re: Disheartened

Saskia Quinn — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:04:10 GMT

Foolishly, I left school with few gcse's. Worked in offices here and there and done the nvq level 3 in business administration at tech. Finally got a job with a veterinary practice (had no idea at that time you needed to be in a tp, but luckily for me they were) I got the opportunity to train as a vn so before that, I wanted to get the appropriate gcse's so I went to evening class 2 nights a week and one day. My practice let me have this day off to go to college. A year later, I passed my exams and had a total of 7 gcse's all grade c and above. I then enrolled on the vn course. Two years later (in between losing my brother in a terrible car accident and getting married) I proudly qualified as a VN All the hard work and dedication was worth it. I was even named as nvq level 2 student of the year at the annual BSAVA/BVNA NI Congress!! And to top it all - I was the first nurse to train and qualify in my practice In their words, I am a 'homegrown, fully fledged'!!! Stick at it Maria, if I done it with the obstacles I faced - anyone can.

Re: Disheartened

Nick Shackleton — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:51:17 GMT

I have to say I am now glad that I did the ANA qualification as I learnt a lot of basic knowledge, which when I came to do my NVQ meant that I already had something to build apon. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Remember that there is not only the support of you fellow collegues but also us lot at the VetNurse forum.

Also many people have been thru or maybe going thru the same situations as yourself. That is the whole point of this forum to share ideas, exeriences and how we dealt or are dealing with them.

Re: Disheartened

Maria Mahon — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:43:07 GMT

[quote user="Bouncyfi"]

Would the college allow you to do both courses at the one time? I didn't have the right grades to get on the full time course, but they gave me dispensation if I could complete the course whilst doing the full time vet nurse course. I did this, and did the Veterinary Terminology course too (because I was told I didn't have enough experience) and I eventually took my exams 6 months earlier than the rest of my class mates & passed with credit! I really think they gave me these options but didn't think I would manage them.

[/quote]

I didn't ask whether I could complete both at the same time, from what I was told it didn't sound like an option, I will certainly ask!

But thank you to everyone so far for the words of encouragement, don't feel quite so hopeless as before...

Re: Disheartened

Maria Mahon — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:37:39 GMT

Thanks for your input, I'm in no two minds about whether or not I want to do nursing. I suppose I just need to keep my chin up & follow my own motto; persevere!

Re: Disheartened

Vicky RVN — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:37:35 GMT

Sorry to hear that Maria. What Nick said was very well put, if you want to nurse, which it's obvious you do, you'll get there, even if it takes longer than originally planned. A nurse at my work did the ANA before the NVQ, and she found it very useful. Good luck, hope it gets sorted out ok.

Re: Disheartened

Fiona Leathers — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:37:14 GMT

I don't think you've let anyone down! Mistakes like these can happen & the college should have picked up on it before giving you the place. These are also very easily rectifiable - it's certainly not the end of your nursing career.

This was about 10 years ago, so maybe they're stricter now in regards to grades but its worth mentioning. I also don't think the practice manager will be too hard on you, the ANA course would be great idea, as its qualification in its own right. I know one nurse (who is on this website) who got bummed around by a certain college, cos she didn't have the right grades, she kept going, put her head down, got everything they told her to get (including ones she didn't need!) and now she is a great, qualified nurse.

Moral of the story is that it may seem like poo just now..........but it will get better!

Re: Disheartened

Nick Shackleton — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:28:41 GMT

Cheers Paula

Re: Disheartened

Saskia Quinn — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:25:04 GMT

Well said (& well done) Nick

Re: Disheartened

Nick Shackleton — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:20:38 GMT

Hey there

I gained four GCES English literature, Maths and Science (double) plus a BTEC 1st Diploma in Animal Care (merit) (evielent to 4 GCSEs). I then gained a posiotion within a training practice, got a place on an SVN course. When I went to enroll with RCVS I got told that I didn't have the right qualifications to enroll because I had gained English Literature instead of English Lang. So I lost my place on the course to another SVN at the practice who hadnt gained a place, so not only was I unable to start training I had to work with a person that had got my college place.

I bit the bullet and did the ANA (Pre-VN back then) course and gained the qualification. a year later I qualified and instantly enrolled as a SVN got a place at college, 3 years later (due to changing practices) I qualified as a VN. I'm now 8 years post qualification, heading towards Dip AVN exams working in a referral hospital.

Basically I want to say is that problems maybe placed in our paths, but if you want something badly you work through the problems and overcome them. If I had given up on nursing back then god knows where I would be now. I'm in a great job and loving every moinute of it. Hope this helps. This may sound like I've given you my life story, but my life aint over just yet.