arrrrgh! dilemma.. any thoughts appreciated!

Re: arrrrgh! dilemma.. any thoughts appreciated!

hissycat — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:25:18 GMT

Thanks all for your replies, even though it would seem to be a good idea to move I have decided to stay put for the time being. I can't quite put my finger on it but something told me not to do it. Also I did on call work in my last job, and even though it was a small practice it was still pretty busy. I would spend all night worrying if something was on a drip etc and i wasn't there to watch it. getting up and driving at some strange hour of the night is not a thought i relish either... they admitted that nurses were nearly always called as they didn't expect vets to struggle on their own (which is fair enough- and full marks for honesty) If only they'd had an on call flat or something. I would stil love to be an assessor (and yes I have seen the paperwork involved!) but maybe someday it'll happen.. thanks again, its good to know good advice is just a mouse click (and an essay) away! I suppose we're lucky that jobs are still available in the vetnurse profession (at the moment anyway...)

Re: arrrrgh! dilemma.. any thoughts appreciated!

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:33:45 GMT

Hi hissycat,

From what I have read so far, it looks like the practice you are at, dont want to change the way things are....ie the rota, which is obviously one of your main concerns.

The fact you do shifts, which again you dont much like also suggests you need a change.

This new place you have applied for is offering less money in some respects, but look at what you are saving on travel costs... now if I am correct you would actually be better off??? am I wrong? also call outs I have to say dont happen that often even in the busiest of practices, especially if they are paying the nurse extra for that, most vets I know would rather do it themselves than pay extra for a nurse to come out, so I think you will only be called out in a dire emergency.

You say they are going to train you for an assessor qualification at this new place, well you can then ask for a pay rise as effectively you will be doing more work, and also it's a good bargaining tool when asking for more money, especially if no one else has the qualification. It looks to me like you will be getting far more scope out of the job at the new place, and no night shifts can only be a good thing.

I dont think for a minute you will be doing less nursing work either, especially if they do want to train you as an assessor.

Let us know what you decide

Re: arrrrgh! dilemma.. any thoughts appreciated!

hissycat — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:38:25 GMT

I appied to an advert and went to the interview so I guess somethings telling me my current job isn't quite right I have to let them know tomorrow if i'm interested, so I wouldn't really be commiting but don't want to mess anyone around. Their current situation is that their recently qualified has left to do equine.. there is one other QVN and a trainee but they want someone to get the assessor Q so that would also be a plus for me as I would like to train the SVN and I don't think i'd get to be assessor in current job as too many more experienced staff. They didn't say if pay would go up with assessor Q. On call in 1:5, they were umming and arring a bit when asked about frequency of calls however it would be really hard to be going back every couple of hours for critical patient as it is still 20 min drive away. I did on call in my previous practice and swore I would never do it again! They do however get a retainer for being on call and time and a half for time there. Currently I generally do one night shift a week (8 till 8 - killer - on normal pay) and (supposedly) 1:3 weekends which seems to have become a 1:2 due to staffing issues.. they are 'not looking to take on more staff' , even though a new receptionist has just started! We have mentioned rota being a problem but basically told to leave if we don't like it. hence the interview! I have been in current job nearly a year, basically took it because I was desperate to get out of last place, just don't want to jump from fryng pan into fire again! Apart from the rota it is a nice place to work, lovely vets, really busy so loads of ops, interesting things to see etc. new place would be much quieter. I think I want to go because it just isn't quite right for me but really don't know if I would be better hanging on for a bit as what I would really like is no OOH work but could be waiting a long time. I think if pay offered was even a tiny bit more I would take it but its the thought of less pay aswell (i could cope - less shoes lucky I don't have a human family - they'd starve!) that is really making the decision difficult. OMG, I've wriiten an essay! maybe I should just toss a coin?

Re: arrrrgh! dilemma.. any thoughts appreciated!

Carol Cottrell — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:59:57 GMT

Hi Hissycat, horrible dilemna eh? Do you know much about the practice you are considering changing to with regards to staff etc? How is it that you may be offered a position there? I was in a similar situation (+ probably made hard by the fact I'd been at the same place for 12 yrs!). I loved the job I was doing, very busy, fantastic variety caseload, good money & I was only working a part time job share which suited me well with having a 5yr old. Also really liked most of the people I was working with. The down side was a 40min+ journey each way (oh! just the one member of staff I was no longer happy to work with).

The opportunity then came up for me to work 5 mins from home with a Vet that I had known for a while but not worked with. However......he wanted me to do full time (which was a considerable amount of juggling but managed) plus my wages were a lot less than I was previously on!

It was a huge trauma for me to tear myself from a relatively safe/stable job, a lot of good colleagues to the unknown. I made many a list of fors & againsts & initially told my boss I couldn't do it. I then reconsidered & don't regret the move for a minute (other than days when it's quiet!). I am in the fortunate position I could manage with a pay cut, I know there are many that couldn't. Have you enquired what that chances are of you getting called out anyway? How frequently does it happen? Wouldn't you get on call allowance or extra pay if you were called in? Have you mentioned where you are now that you aren't happy with the hours / rota? What makes you feel that they will ever change? How long have you been in your current job? Would you trust the potential new place to look after any of your animals?

OMG I feel I have raved on for so long now you've probably already on a 2nd job interview elsewhere by now!! Best of luck in whatever you decide to do!

Carol x

Re: arrrrgh! dilemma.. any thoughts appreciated!

Mac Feather — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:57:04 GMT

i agree with missvetnurse that more money doesnt always equal a better job. i wouldnt be happy getting more money to do less v.n work and more reception. guess it depends what u want really.

Re: arrrrgh! dilemma.. any thoughts appreciated!

Claire Cameron — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:53:04 GMT

I was in the same position as you recently and I took the plunge (only difference is my new job was offering a bit more money)

so I took the jump and im not enjoying it. all my years of experience and training have gone to me being a bonafide receptionist now, lucky to do 1 op a day and im really fed up.

yes its easy money buts its not what im a VN for.

Money isnt everything as im sure you know.

its difficult to know what to do but you'll have a gut instinct - go with that

Re: arrrrgh! dilemma.. any thoughts appreciated!

Mac Feather — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:06:06 GMT

whats ur gut feeeling about the second job?

i hope i dont sound patronising when i say that money isnt everything,u need enough to go round but u cant put a price on happiness.

is the situation at ur current job likely to change, is there any1 u can talk to it about?

u got to do whats right for u.

let us know how it goes.