Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

wilkoannie — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 11:18:34 GMT

hello

I am sorry you feel like this, i think when you have been in the proffession for a while and rules change such as we cant do this, we cant do that it get frustating.

It is very frustating when you know you can do more for the patient to, i feel financially its quite sad that we have to euthansie an animal that with surgery, work ups etc we could save them but in reality people havent got thousands of pounds to spend on their pet when they have a mortgage and children etc, lots of people have lost their jobs, i know if mine wasnt insured i couldnt afford to find two thousand pounds which i needed recently for my little dog. It is very difficult.

I have gone into teaching and i teach one day a week, my plan was to teach full time but after teaching now for three years and nearly qualifying as a teacher i cant do this full time as i just love being with the animals and clients.

why not give teaching a go, become a clinical coach, show other nurses your expertise, work for the pdsa if there is any near by, nurses are very full on there. go abroad and do some charity work.

why not write articles for vn journals etc. ask to do a seminar at the bvna on your expertise. set up courses and run courses from home such as ana perhaps or look into critical care courses you can run. lots of nurses would love that.

as far as being more hands on in work im afraid with the schedule three act we are limited so that will never change, i feel in my career of 18 years we get limited to what we can do each year.

if all this still seems boring then perhaps you do need a different career path maybe an A and E nurse but i bet thats not the bee all and end all either as with the nhs and cut backs, these guys are run ragged and prob for little pay.

start looking at some locumn jobs, get out there and keep yourself occupied.

also try and find a hobby outside of work, this can help to. switch of from v.n work and enjoy yourself.

xxxx

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

JaneRVN — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 17:22:01 GMT

Such good news! Thanks for the update.

I also locummed when at a cross roads and after 2 years had worked in a load of practices I had wanted to work in, but without the commitment. I didn't find anywhere I wanted to be permanently, but at least I knew!

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

Lee484 — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 10:42:08 GMT

I thought this thread sounded familiar so I read from the start and found my post that I wrote (under Leelee484) about a year and a half ago! So I thought I'd give a quick update as to what I decided to do.

I handed my notice in pretty much the next day and started locuming, which I've been doing ever since. At first (apart from one disaster) I really enjoyed it, and would recommend it, good experience, pick your own hours etc, but after over a yr, I didn't want to be the new girl any more and I was getting tired of the placements where the nurses hand you a list of cleaning chores then go sit in the office, so I decided it was time to leave nursing. I applied for a couple rep roles, but life likes to throw those curve balls, and while waiting to hear back, I locumed at a lovely practice. I settled in well and after many chats and deliberations with family and friends, they persuaded me to come back permently:) I start in a couple weeks and am very excited, it feels good to have that enthusiasm back. Funnily enough, as I write this, I'm locuming in the practice where I wrote my last post - funny how things end up!

Im not going to say stick it out, a good practice will come because I do believe I got lucky, I locumed for a yr and a half before I found this place, and whilst I worked for nice practices, I couldn't see myself staying. I would say try locuming, you never know what you may find, and the experience is invaluable, but if your really unhappy, then maybe a break is what you need to asses you feelings.

For those thinking about a change to nursing, I would say do it! I don't regret becoming a nurse and I've been a nurse for many years now. Even if things don't work out, I'm glad I chose to do this.

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

Charley83 — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 22:47:21 GMT

I have found this post very interesting as a district nurse been nursing for 12 years i,m considering the change too veterinary care - surgeon/nurse. I personally feel That change is a good thing but I also feel that kids now a days are forced to make important future career decisions at such a young age - doing highers at 14 etc puts a lot of unneeeded pressure of these young minds. The sheer drop out and number of people that don't enter the nursing profession after completing the course is high.- What do student's get at the end of the course - a dole cheque if they're lucky - ther's just no jobs. In Community Dn's are been replaced by staff nurses - sometimes newly qualified - why pay £35,000 when you can pay £20,000 to a newbie nurse! I was shocked when I spoke to a vet who only gets £33,000 at year if lucky - I earn more than them and they are more qualified than me. A lot of people do human nursing to get a bursary and a free degree.I can see how this could apply to vet nurses and skills are interchangeable to a certain extent.

I must admit i,m really serious about changing to veterinary care but I,m worried long term - struggle on the pittance of a wage - as district nursing in my area is impossible to get into - your in it till you kick the bucket.

I think it doesn't matter where you go everywhere has dissatisfied people - i,m yet to encounter a vet nurse who hates the job but i meet several human nurses each day who are ready to pick in. Happens everywhere.

I like the idea of locumming just like nurse bank - do your work and if its a horrible practice/vet don't go back. I have been lucky that all the practices i,ve went for work experience have been nice - rural and urban practices and working dog euthansia got me at 1st as I couldn't get out of the pet dog mind set and something like a injury causing an amputation - in the pet dog it would adapt and the working dog was off no use, wasn't quick enough etc no use got put to sleep took me a long time to get round. In terms of supporting staff I have found vets more supportive than nurse managers.

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

JaneRVN — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 14:57:24 GMT

Great post Princess Ophelia.

Every career/industry has disastisfied people in it. My background was retail management - I def get paid more as a nurse and get more respect than in retail.

For the original poster I would hazard that long term nights/weekends is not helping, and would recommend trying some locumming before leaving the profession. Locumming brings the challenge back to nursing, new people, places and equipment. You also learn loads, and you may find the right practice for you. You are also not committed any can set your own pace of work - which brings its own freedom!

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

furry friends — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 12:26:36 GMT

Sarah you are lucky, I wish I had found a practice like yours a long time ago, I may have not become so disillusioned as I have. I now work in a totally different environment and I love it most of the time. I have my gripes about my job, who doesn't, but I don't go into work feeling sick or trembling because I'm having a panic attack. I've worked in various industries but the veterinary world was definitely the worst. I'm actually thinking about never owning animals again because I don't want to take them to vets. Shame as one of my friends is a vet and I would trust her with my life. but she is a rarity

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

Sarah Cahill — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 18:52:19 GMT

I'm lucky to work in a lovely practice, yes everyone has their bad days but all in all it's a great place to work. All the nurses get on really well and pull their weight, qualified or not, there's no bitchiness! There can be days when reception staff bug me but we just get on with it! Even our Vets are all lovely, I have never seen any of them lose their rag or treat an animal badly.

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

Phrin Vernon RVN — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 23:47:03 GMT

[quote user="Sal the 1st"]

but there are practices that some people will love and some people will hate. What may be a bad practice for one person may be perfect for somebody else

[/quote]

I have to agree with Sal here. There are some practices I have worked in that I have found unbearable, but they have had long standing happy nurses.

Likewise I have worked in practices that I have loved - and seen RVNs leave after less than a fortnight because they hated it.

It's a small industry full of even smaller work forces, and I really think it can be a case of finding a practice that suits you as an individual.

Saying that, I've seen a place or two I would never set foot in again

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

Sal the 1st — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 19:49:00 GMT

but there are practices that some people will love and some people will hate. What may be a bad practice for one person may be perfect for somebody else

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

Mark Walsh — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 17:34:33 GMT

In some ways it is a pity that we can't use these forums to name and shame the practices and vets that we have had bad experiences of. However, I am aware that you can get in big trouble for this and the only way to hear of bad practices is through word of mouth.

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:22:47 GMT

i agree that there are some horrid practices out there. Although this has not stopped me from reaching my goal to be a QVN

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

Victoria Nielsen RVN — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 14:29:54 GMT

To potential SVNs, PCAs, ANAs,

Please be aware that there ARE nice practices out there!

Yes, I've had my fair share of abuse from vets and other staff, including one incident where one vet was swearing and shouting, pointing at me and terrified the life out of me for something he shouldn't have been doing anyway and the same vet lied to the partners saying he had called me on my mobile when it was out of hours yet he didn't and literally proceeded to bang the door of the flat down until I woke up and I thought we were being broken into and he didn't even apologise.

So I've met some nasty people in my time but luckily to say, he left and I qualified, toughened myself up and do not allow any c**p in my practice!! Everyone is respected, regardless of who they are. No one pulls rank and works together as a team.

So there are practices out there that are nice, please don't tar every practice with the same brush as this thread looks awful to potential SVNs who do want to become a Veterinary Nurse and they see this thread and it seems that Veterinary Nursing is an awful career to be in when we are already short on RVNs.... I am sorry you have experienced bad situations, but most of us have but it's only a few practices that are like this, not every practice in the country.

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

meep_ kitten — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 18:07:12 GMT

[quote user="minldn"]

I just want to add that I wish I had taken the negative experiences and complaints I read about vet nursing more seriously before I decided to take the plunge. I thought that I was doing everything right: work experience, then started as a kennel hand and kept applying for SVN jobs until I got one that looked promising. I witnessed a few bad things at each phase, but I never seriously considered that I might find myself in a situation as negative as some of the ones I had read about online. Anyway, it seemed worth it to me if I could help animals and feel good about what I was doing with my life.

If I can make one suggestion to prospective SVNs, it's to think about what you would do if you find yourself confronted with the worst of it: vets treating animals apathetically or even abusively, senior staff throwing instruments/losing their temper over trivial things, frozen pay rates, bullying colleagues, dangerous practices etc. For a long time I was able to justify the negatives to myself, thinking I would just qualify and move on. Unfortunately, the situation continuously deteriorated until I reached the point I am at today. You may never witness or experience anything truly heinous (hopefully not!) but you should consider that the horror stories are a reality for some VNs.

[/quote]

"vets treating animals apathetically or even abusively, senior staff throwing instruments/losing their temper over trivial things, frozen pay rates, bullying colleagues, dangerous practices etc. "

I've already been a witness to all of this! apathetic and abusive behaviour, losing temper at staff, bullying (towards me and others) "frozen pay" I worked for a year on a full time unpaid basis just to get experience, the second I left, they magically found the funds they supposdely didn't have for me and hired two paid staff to replace me..... oh dear, I thought I had just been unlucky and that might find a NICE practice to take me in as a student where all this didn't happen...

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

minldn — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 17:45:27 GMT

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

furry friends — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 14:44:46 GMT

Louise am not saying it is all bad in the vet world. But am in my early forties and have worked both in the vet world and in other industries so am very well aware that the grass is not always greener. As i said in my original post, am sure there are VNs out there who are treated well, and I did locum in a practice where this was the case (VNs respected, most of the qualifeds were diploma trained, reasonable salaries, dedicated training practice etc etc).

However most of my problems at work have been as a result of working as a VN. There have been things happened whilst I worked as a VN that just would NEVER have been accepted in any other job I have done (and have been in the workplace since I was 18). I retrained as a VN to help the animals and the clients, but sadly became disillusioned as not everyone holds that belief. And I am well aware that there are VNs in practice that remain there as they simply don't know what else to do or who to turn to.

Jumping ship was right for me, but am not saying it is for everyone. But for the VN who started this thread off, I suggest she needs to write down what she wants from her career, her likes, dislikes etc etc and see what she comes up with. Everyone gets wobbles despite what they do for a living, but it depends how big those wobbles are......

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

supamog — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:21:41 GMT

Really feel for you on this one - but dont jump yet! Best mate is RGN and has had hours cut due to shortage of funds! Hard to imagine but the higher paid emloyees of the nhs are being cut to enable them to employ staff who are less qualified and therefore cost less. No diffierent to our dilema then. Hope you have a lightbulb moment soon

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

meep_ kitten — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 10:38:25 GMT

Thanks so much for the advice. I actually am coming from working in research labs doing non-invasive behavioural testing on rodents. I used to not mind it, as I thought the animals have a very good quality of life - the standard of care is very high, behavioural testing is as you say non-invasive, and they are euthanised humanely. But even though I'm well aware that animal testing is unavoidable, it is still an ethical grey area and I'm starting to feel more and more uncomfortable about some of the studies; particularly the latest sets of experiments were on adolescent stress and/or stimulating immune response, and I feel bad for the animals!! I thought I'd be better off in veterinary, where at least you are helping animals, rather than making them sick! I know thats wussy of me, as animal testing will go on regardless of my involvement with it. And I do enjoy veterinary - I worked full time (voluntarily) for a year to get experience, then started trying to get back into science doing lab testing, but really I'd rather be around animals so if I can make a career out of it - I'll suck up the long hours and low wages!! (damn, if I had my time again though, and the money for college I'd go straight into training as a veterinary surgeon!)

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

Louise B — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 11:14:52 GMT

I wouldn't let it put you off TBH - lots of people on here love their jobs but most people tend to be more vocal when things are going badly then when they are going well as they are reaching out for support Most the time I love my job 150% as it seriously rocks - but I can tell you now - I moan like hell when I am having a bad day - but just go with the flow when it is going well

You don't say what your science background is but an alternative to veterinary nursing that tends to pay a bit better is working as an animal technican at a research institute. This can be anything from noninvasive behavioural work (what I used to do) through to biomedical science type roles but there is usually a much better defined career structure.

The potential downside for alot of these jobs is you do have to be able to accept animal testing / potential fate of the animal which can be very hard as most will probably die at the end of the study - either as a consequence of the study or as 'surplus' to requirements (but not always - Waltham Pet Nutrition being one notable exception) . You may also be expected to euthanase your own animals (I wasn't expected to but I choose to do so as I felt that, as the animals knew me really well, it was far less stressful to them than a stranger handling them, trying to get a vein, etc - I worked with meat chickens and, for ethical reasons, it wasn't always appropriate to rehome them due to their abnormally large appetites and the consquences this had for their wellbeing).

However, the rewards can immense to in terms of job satisfaction. Many animal technicians climb the ranks to a point at which they take control of the research facilities enrichment program, can implement training programs, etc to ensure that potentially unpleasant procedures are avoided, minimised or even turned into pleasurable ones and also get input into research trial design to maxmise welfare and minimise suffering consistent with carrying out a particular study.

Depending on the institute/job the overlap with VN skills can be marginal or immense so it is difficult to give a broad overview but you could be involved in carrying out operations ( the tech carries out the operation rather than assists though in a lot of cases), cannula placement, medications, i/v line management, etc - cleaning out (lots of - especially when you start) - through to things like clicker training marmosets to 'enjoy' being blood samples, working out which jelly best hides a particular medication (so that the rat voluntarily eats the drug being trialed rather than having to be gastric lavaged), etc. I am a member of a professional lab tech forum and the dedication that some of these people to show to improving the welfare of the animals in their care is amazing and far exceeds the dedication I have seen in most other animal jobs).

I hope that helps. Lots of people shy away from this area as 'distasteful' but it is really important that people with a passion for animal wellbeing do work in animal research and VN types would often be perfect for this.

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

meep_ kitten — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 10:40:08 GMT

[quote user="Princess Ophelia Hermione MacBeth"]

I have been watching this thread with interest as I have been able to identify, many times, with the sentiments expressed by lots of the posters. However, many of these times I have been in non-VN jobs too. I really don't think the problems are unique to veterinary nursing in anyway. Many workers in workplaces experience aggressive, moody bosses with a temper (for example).

Some of worse experiences have been in non-VN jobs: a boss that felt it was okay to pass sexual remarks about my figure all the time (I was 12 years old at the time and in my first ever job!), a boss that replaced me with a cheaper immigrant worker when I had to take two days off work to attend my nan's funeral (and I only found out when I turned up for work the following week), a job that came with accommodation - only for me to give up my flat, move 100 miles and then find that the accommodation had fallen through and they expected me to live in a tiny towable caravan in the middle of their dog exercise area(!), I have worked factory night jobs that paid <£3 per hour and they still deducted the 15 minute coffee break from your wages. I suppose the point I am making is that there are bad employers everywhere and I don't think the Veterinary industry differs in this respect. I think where it differs if that if waitresses, office workers in small firms, etc have poor working conditions they don't have a well organised forum in which to meet up and vent, swap stories, etc. Sometimes I think vetnurse.co.uk is a double-edged sword - on the one hand it is fab for getting support - but on the other hand it allows us to find like minded souls that will validate a current belief that the veterinary industry is rubbish to work for.

If it really is that bad at a particular practice then move on as there are lots of fab practices out there as I discovered when locumming (along with some not so good ones) - or, if there is a glimmer of hope there, try to be the difference you want to see in others :)

Wages on the other hand but we all know that job satisfaction isn't just about wages. If you can manage on the wage and don't really want to leave veterinary nursing why not look at other ways of rejuvenating the passion that brought you into the profession in the first place? For me, that passion was promoting animal welfare and I found that, when getting bogged down in day to day politics or other issues it really helped to do something different. Over the years I have volunteered at the local homeless shelter as an on call veterinary nurse (plus ended up doing other stuff too - you find that you cannot help getting involved), helped out on battery hen rescue runs, photographed dogs for a local shelter's facebook page, walked shelter dogs, gone into schools and run animal welfare workshops, fostered animals, volunteered at a vet school facilitating communication skills workshops for undergraduates, etc - none of it financially remunerative but all of it keeping me feeling 'alive' and 'driven' as I feel that I am making a difference and valued. I will try anything that piquets my interest and my only personal rules are: a) give it your best shot and b) get out if you are not enjoying it and try something else. I also found the more I did the more my confidence grew - confidence that has allowed me to feel much more in control of my life/job/destiny/etc.

As a side, all this things ended up opening far more doors for me than I could ever have imagined careers-wise and still continue to do so. Not bad for an unintended and unplanned for side effect of simply seeking fun, rejuvenation and 'something different' .

This organisation would love to have more VNs on its books. It is voluntary and no expenses paid but is a good way to get a feel for public engagement work if anyone is interested in this area. Schools would love VNs to go and talk about veterinary nursing, how science is needed in VN careers, etc.

http://www.stemnet.org.uk/content/stem-ambassadors

If anyone is really interested in looking for opportunities I am happy to chat off line about the kind of things I got involved in, etc I am more active on Facebook so easier to find me there if you want a private chat - look for Louise Buckley and the bright yellow big bird avatar I have just signed up with STEM myself as I haven't done so much since leaving Edinburgh and am getting itchy feet again now! I am obviously happy to chat on here too - but not through private messages on here as I often don't spot I have any

[/quote]

You mention science and VNs.... well my background is science, and I'm looking to break into the VN area... but a bit perturbed about all these posts about disillusioned VNs, I've changed career so often, and really felt my heart was in veterinary: a chance to use my science but be around and care for animals. Worried that if I spend another 3 years getting qualified (thats if I'm lucky enough to get a student position - I'm still looking) then I'll end up in the same boat as all the other people who hate the hours, work for horrible bosses, etc. So am wondering if there's another way of using science background and/or working with animals, if anyone has any suggestions?

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

Louise B — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 11:35:58 GMT

http://www.stemnet.org.uk/content/stem-ambassadors

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

furry friends — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 10:46:25 GMT

Anne-Marie, not everyone hates their job, Majority of the time I love mine (am not a VN anymore) and I think the crux of it all is down to having a very good and supportive boss. There are too many vet practices out there that really haven't got a clue how to manage people. I worked in one practice where the vet threw surgical equipment at me because it wasn't exactly what she wanted!! Any other work place and she would have been had up for assault, but it seems to be what wouldn't be accepted in every other job, it's ok for it to happen in the vet world. Like others that have commented on this post, people can't believe what goes on in practices. Sadly for a lot of VNs there seems to be nowhere for them to turn, if they complain they can be treated badly as a consequence, or they put up with their lot and then become stressed and disillusioned. Something needs to drastically change for VNs.

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

Chippet — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 08:57:26 GMT

I'm gonna be honest, I haven't read most of the replies of here, so apologies if I'm covering stuff that's already been said. I too became disillusioned every year or so, usually around the time of my appraisal each year, I think filling in that form had me thinking about my role too much. I threatened to quit and even applied for other jobs outside of nursing cos I thought I needed out. It's been about 3 years since then and I'm still nursing in the same practice and I have to say I'm glad I didn't go. I'm honestly not sure what the turning point was for me, but I genuinely love my job now (and it doesn't sound nearly as exciting as I think yours probably is). Whether its just cos I'm older and more settled in my life generally, or whether it's because we merged with another practice and the dynamics of my working life changed a bit (but not dramatically) or whether it's just because I've allowed my colleagues to become my 'friends' - which does make work more fun and I do genuinely love most of the people I work with and wouldn't want to be without them. My attitude at work obviously changed too, I became more relaxed and able to take on more responsibility and was made head nurse and couple of years ago. Sure the pay isn't much better. But I know I'm a valued member of a team and I'm not sure I would find that anywhere else. I certainly couldn't imagine sitting at a desk in an office, which is what I considered a few years ago. Basically I don't think the grass is always greener. I'm not sure whether this long post will have helped. But good luck in whatever you decide. Xx

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

therainyj — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 22:48:04 GMT

Hi Danielle,

Like yourself any many other nurses, I have been in a similar position to you. I see you don't want to move away, but to be honest, this may be the only viable option if you'd like to continue nursing. If you are finding your current position stagnant, you need a new challenge, and it may mean you have to move to be able to embrace that challenge. Of course it's scary starting again, but it's also exciting and rewarding.

Some of the replies to Danielle's post make me sad :( I know LeeLee well, and I've watched her struggle from afar (it's difficult when you're not down the hall anymore!). I know so many nurses on anti depressants and various emotional support, I wonder why we do it to ourselves. All to earn money for companies who give us so little in return. Life is difficult enough without dreading every working day. I believe that unhappiness in any area of your life should be addressed and resolved as soon as is practically possible. Otherwise it bleeds through into every part of your life. I seem to have gone off on a tangent here...

>Be brave and find a new challenge elsewhere, or
>Change your hours, see if more regular sociable hours will allow you to do more in your spare time, or
>Give locuming a go, or
>Try a change in career (you can always come back to nursing)

I think whatever happens, you need to assess what it is you want from your career (and maybe even life) and be brave. Make a decision and stick with it. Good luck!

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

minldn — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:59:04 GMT

Tardy to the party, but I'm just writing to say I have been in a similar boat: I joined this profession a few years ago, worked hard and made loads of progress, but have now decided not to continue. I'm a second year student and have known that I need to leave my current practice for a few months now...the conditions are absolutely appalling and most people don't believe me when I tell them about it. It's so bad that I feel like I'm party to causing more suffering rather than alleviating it. Crap wages and horrendous management aside, I wouldn't even bring my own pet to the surgery I work at now. At first I thought I'd just switch practices but the costs far outweigh the benefits - for the salary offered by most, I'd end up in debt and be struggling even more. Not to mention the prospect of ending up in another toxic surgery!

I went on holiday for a week and with some rest, I made the decision not to continue. I feel so much better now, both physically and mentally. If you can, take some time off and spend it with people you love. It's amazing how much easier it is to think once you've had a break. Maybe you'll decide you really love vet nursing and come up with new goals or maybe you'll realise you have other passions worth pursuing. Good luck!

Re: Yet another disillusioned RVN, about to defect

SmegSlayer — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 22:44:06 GMT

I qualified in 2010 after 8 years in various practices and left last September to return to uni to do a Forensic Science degree. Forensics has always been where my heart truly lies but i don't regret my nursing at all. Yes it was shit at times with staff who made me cry, being so tired some days I struggled to walk through the door and having to choose between having lunch or dinner due to crap wages.

My nursing background has helped enormously on my course so far- i know how to use a microscope, I know the mammalian organs inside out, I know the true meaning of hard work which the 18 year old kids really don't.

i locum part time at a local practice which I really enjoy coz I get animal contact still which I was starting to miss but only work Saturdays and evenings so don't often get lumbered with theatre which was boring for me (more of a medical person).

The way i see it, life has different stages to get through, some easy, some demanding and some soul searching. I was lucky in that my mum, dad and older brother are behind me 100% as are all my friends. My previous practice could see the general nursing wasn't enough for me, and as much as they didn't want to loose a qualified nurse, they could see that eventually i would be very unhappy in the job.