problems finding staff

Re: problems finding staff

Caro Laithwaite VN — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 21:02:48 GMT

Just home so unable to reply till now.

An experienced pair of hands or an ana is the correct term unless a person is qualified they are not a nurse nor should they be called a nurse. Having worked excedingly hard for my qualification l object to it being used unless the person has done the same.

Re: problems finding staff

Nick Shackleton — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:47:13 GMT

[quote user="Crazy Cat Lady"]

I agree Caro, but at the end of the day beggars can't be choosers, if the practice is truly desperate then an experienced "nurse" is better than no nurse.

[/quote]

And this is why the RVN register is pointless!!! but that's another discussion!!!

Re: problems finding staff

Crazy Cat Lady — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:40:21 GMT

I agree Caro, but at the end of the day beggars can't be choosers, if the practice is truly desperate then an experienced "nurse" is better than no nurse.

Re: problems finding staff

Aimee Barber — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:46:26 GMT

Also for a lot of the legal reasons, insurance and also training up other nurses, firstly you should really be qualified and then i guess ideally listed. There is alot you shouldn't be doing if your not qualified!

Re: problems finding staff

Caro Laithwaite VN — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:26:32 GMT

Ermm just to throw cat into pigeon loft.. if you are not qualified you are not a nurse.

Re: problems finding staff

Crazy Cat Lady — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:43:41 GMT

[quote user="lolly"]

Personally, I don't think there is anything 'wrong' with your advert. The job sounds perfect to me!!

I think it's just a lack of qualified nurses and nurses leaving the profession. I have been working within practice on and off since I was 20 (now 34), but gave up trying to qualify years ago, and then when I stopped enjoying certain aspects, gave up nursing a couple of years ago. I now work in a wonderful practice doing reception and auxally nursing and couldn't be happier.

The job you are advertising will be perfect for someone, it's just a case of the right person seeing your advert.

Hope you find someone soon

[/quote]

Finally, exactly what I was thinking. I'm guessing its the qualified part that's scaring off most nurses. There are plenty of brilliant experienced nurses who aren't qualified, because to be honest, it's barely worth it anymore. I think the wording of the ad needs to be changed a bit.

Re: problems finding staff

Caro Laithwaite VN — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 21:26:21 GMT

Glad it went well

Re: problems finding staff

Louise B — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 21:25:59 GMT

That's fab. Is it the lass I sent you on monday?

Re: problems finding staff

johanna van aalten — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:27:54 GMT

Hi all

I just wanted to thank you all again for your support and advise. I have found a nurse at last and she seems marvellous, great with cats. She will start beginning of August, just hope it all works out, knowing my luck......

will let you know but in any case all very very much thanks.

Re: problems finding staff

johanna van aalten — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:40:02 GMT

Thanks all for support. It is all starting to become a bit of a big struggle and quite hard to keep on doing everything myself. If anyone knows someone that might fit in, please let me know.

Re: problems finding staff

lolly — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 09:30:08 GMT

Personally, I don't think there is anything 'wrong' with your advert. The job sounds perfect to me!!

The job you are advertising will be perfect for someone, it's just a case of the right person seeing your advert.

Hope you find someone soon

Re: problems finding staff

Louise B — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 09:14:15 GMT

[quote user="molladog"]

Hi,

It's a shame I am not looking for another job as you sound just the friendly personal practice that I like which unfortunately has gone by the wayside so much now, more's the pity.

Keep looking, there will be someone who like me has become rather tired of all the high tech big stuff and prefers the way things used to be in general practice when you could remember the clients names and and say 'Hi Mr or Mrs Owner "as they came through the door. !(They loved it.)

[/quote]

Agreed

Re: problems finding staff

molladog — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 09:00:47 GMT

Hi,

It's a shame I am not looking for another job as you sound just the friendly personal practice that I like which unfortunately has gone by the wayside so much now, more's the pity.

Re: problems finding staff

johanna van aalten — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 23:43:17 GMT

Thanks once again for imput. I was only getting a bit desperate and frustrated. reading other adverts with the same old same old (don't all practices say they are friendley and caring etc etc?) And seeing as anyway there is hardly any interest in the job, I might as well say it as it is. We like cake, we like to get on well together and are just looking for a nice, friendly nurse to sometimes work our socks off with and other times have a laugh and a cup of tea with cake and a god old natter with. I am slightly mumsy and not overly ambitious (dont do orthopaedics as I think that we should leave that to people who know what they are doing) but like to do things right and properly while giving our customers a good, reliable , personal service (I know a lot of them personally by now) and sometimes also a cup of tea and a chat. It only makes it even harder when you have to put their animals to sleep, if you know them and their animals so well.

Anyway, I will keep on waiting and searching for a nice nurse (I am sure there should be plenty of them out there somewhere) The problem is only how to reach them? Will try spending some time again tomorrow, contacting locum agencies and colleges.

Any other suggestions??

Thanks

Johanna

Re: problems finding staff

Louise B — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:33:52 GMT

LOL. I think you were right about the other poster. I only skim read it :D

Re: problems finding staff

lolly — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:31:06 GMT

Sorry - wasn't a criticism , just thought that the previous poster was saying they didn't want cake and choc mentioned.

Re: problems finding staff

Louise B — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:24:33 GMT

[quote user="lolly"]

Hi Johanna

I may have read this wrong - please correct me if this is the case - but what was actually meant is that if 'must like cake or chocolate' is mentioned in the advert but salary, hours cpd etc isn't, then it actually comes across as very condescending and patronising and people are put off applying.

Yes, it is important that people get on in the work place and I like cake and chocolate with the best of them. But a proffesional person who has worked hard for their qualification doesn't want to be told they must like chocolate but not told how much they will earn if they secure the position.

Again, sorry if I got this wrong

[/quote]

The ad combines both - salary/cpd and cake. I personally like a human touch in adverts - provided the professional stuff is also met which it is here. I have cut and pasted it below. I would have applied for a job like this early on in my career. I always avoid the ones that don't state salary or say something like salary commensurate with experience but don't give a range to work with.

Broomhill Veterinary Practice, sheffield

We offer an opportunity for full/part-time VN in this new, expanding small animal / small furry practice in Sheffield, on the border of Peak District. Are you confident, competent, enthusiastic and motivated and do you like cake on fridays? Then this could be the job for you.

Salary ranging from £16.000 to £19.000 depending on experience . CPD funded and encouraged. No weekend and OOH work included.

Qualifications required - preferably qualified and registered

Re: problems finding staff

lolly — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:56:03 GMT

Hi Johanna

Again, sorry if I got this wrong

Re: problems finding staff

johanna van aalten — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:48:12 GMT

I have just had a look at my advert on this webs jobpage, have adapted it to your hints and tips Still was basically a boring oldfashioned advert so did put cake requirement in it.

Regards

Re: problems finding staff

johanna van aalten — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:12:14 GMT

What don't I look for? 'Plenty of cakes on a friday', etc!

And you are sure you are not looking for a job!!!!

We decided once that we would not consider an applicant unless they were willing to take a biscuit or chocolat when we offered it to them. So you have passed the first hurdle already.

OK I am very thankfull for all you replies. From your side you want to know what an employer has to offer but from the other side it is sometimes hard to know what you expect from an empoyer. I have tried to get around it by asking what the salary expectations of the applicant are and yes in the current clinate you can afford to be picky (50 hour workweek does sound quite long to me.....).On the other hand , as a profession you may want to be a bit guarded as the situation as it is now, will drive more and more practices back to the old situation of working with acas rather tahn nurses (simply because they can not get a nurse or just because they can not afford a nurse). Even if they, like me, would prefer and would value a trained nurse much more. I for one will be waiting for the right person for the job (MUST be addicted to chocolate) and will be offering that person a good package.

The only major downside to this practice remains the posibilities of top-up degree. As a new practice with just one vet and one nurse, there is not much chance to learn from colleagues and the caseload may not be sufficent to sustain a top up degree.

Anyway than you all very very much for letting me know what you expect me to offer and what I have to make clear in an advert. Because else, in my ignorance I may offend a potential candidate (if anyone shows some interest) without realising it.

Thanks and regards

Re: problems finding staff

Cats meow — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 03:34:54 GMT

Im currently looking for a new position, so am looking at recent posts. What do I look for? Firstly, what area. Its frustrating to have an advert without information about where the practice is and franky due to the number of vacancies avaliable Im not going to go out of my way to ask where the job is if its not on the advert. Secondly, salary. Vet nurses feel underpaid considering the training we undertake, so state a figure on the advert. Nursing clinics and CPD opportunities makes most VN's feel like there skills are appriecated. Is there the chance of being entered onto the diploma or top-up degree in the future? This could attract a number of nurses as it implies progression which is lacking in many practices. Also this opportunity may encourage an enthusiastic VN to relocate. In theory we are in the job for the sake of the animals, so as long as the hours are not ridicules then you should not need to do a huge reorganisation to accomodate a new recruit.

What don't I look for? 'Plenty of cakes on a friday', etc!

Basically, in most cases unless you have VN's in the area its going to be difficult to recruit. I suppose due to the number of current vacancies (you only need to open the 'situation vacant' in the Vet Times, etc) we have the luxury of being able to be picky, even with the current financial climate.

One day we will get the recognition we work for.

Re: problems finding staff

Phrin Vernon RVN — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 21:44:43 GMT

[quote user="Stuart McQueen RVN MBVNA"]

I agree with some previous posts. My biggest issues with job ads is: salary depending on experience! I would rather there was some kind of base line or range to work from...

[/quote]

Fully agree!

Re: problems finding staff

Elvira — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:51:14 GMT

I've replied on the other thread. Sorry the first one seemed to disappear so I posted on here.

Re: problems finding staff

johanna van aalten — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:43:40 GMT

Would nurses be looking at newspapers for nurses jobs then?????

Re: problems finding staff

Elvira — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:40:30 GMT

Sorry if this is a silly answer but have you advertised locally at all? Local paper with wide circulation?