who works in a TP who isn't taking on SVN's ?

Re: who works in a TP who isn't taking on SVN's ?

Maisy — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:32:54 GMT

I don't think there is any way of changing the 'rules' regarding training-frustrating as it is to potential students. The jobs are out there its a case of making yourself known like with work experience, send CVs and follow ups after a couple of months. Although the demand will always be there for SVN jobs, practices (despite being a TP) can't just take on trainees because someone is there waiting unfortunately.

Re: who works in a TP who isn't taking on SVN's ?

hissycat — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:02:25 GMT

I am not a legal expert but I believe you can promote someone already in the practice without advertising. not sure if practices have to advertise if they already have lots of applications, I think it depends on the type of business (is it only public companies that have to do this?) There are some interesting threads regarding training on the VN council elections forum.

Re: who works in a TP who isn't taking on SVN's ?

albatross — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:23:42 GMT

thanks everyone for your replies: I'm now getting the picture of what a TP can/might actually do rather than what I though it would

Next question : is it actually legal to place people in new jobs without advertising the job as being available ? In the good old days you had to advertise even if it was an obscure advert placed in a little-read publication, or even in the local jobcentre/newsagents.
Maybe now you can just fill places without giving people a chance to apply - understandable I suppose if you have the ideal candidate already in situ.

Next question : how can we get the rules changed for training nurses ? It seems troughout this site and others there are lots of people looking for a TP placement, lots of QVN jobs going begging because there aren't enough people leaving who are qualified, and not many people keen to take on QVN's via the degree route....It must be one of very few professions where the adage "if you want to get on, go to college and get a qualification" doesn't apply as you need the work place first.

Re: who works in a TP who isn't taking on SVN's ?

jan — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:36:23 GMT

We don't need to advertise. Often the places are filled in house via reception or ANAs wanting to move or progress. We also get lots of referrals from class

Re: who works in a TP who isn't taking on SVN's ?

Fleabee99 — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 12:43:35 GMT

being a work exp junkie i would reccommend work exp in a practice which employs SVNs, im currently volunteering 2 days a weeks and hoping to increase if an interview im up for a monday doesnt go well, i live with my parents so i supose it is easier for me, i just work 2-3 nights shifts at asda friday-sunday just until i get that tp position, but when i went so one of my work exp interviews the vet said "if your looking for employment we may have a nurse qualifying in june who may want to leave as she travels a long way to get here everyday so if your good your more than welcome to have that"!! so in this economical climate its prolly better to join a practice once a week as a volunteer and basically wait for a trainee to leave, as horrid as it sounds

hope this helps

Re: who works in a TP who isn't taking on SVN's ?

zara — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:57:27 GMT

My old practice is a TP and it is very rare they have qualified nurses stay on, I think the only qualified are the 2 head nurses.

I guess it all depends on the practice and how much the manager wants to pay out once qualified.

I have also found alot of practices down in Hampshire that used to be TPS are no longer I think it is because it is alot of work and lack of willing assessors

Re: who works in a TP who isn't taking on SVN's ?

anji jonas — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:15:03 GMT

i would agree, our practice never has to advertise trainee positions. your best bet is to get in somewhere doing voluntary / work experience and make firm friends with the qualified nurses. they will have friends working in other practices and may well hear of something on the grapevine. and if they like you they would probably recommend you to another practice as a trainee (much better than if noone has ever herd of you before).

but dont give up!!! keep sending your updated cv (with a letter explaining what a brill student you would be!) then be a pest - phone to check they got your cv, and keep in touch with the colleges as they may know of upcoming placements.

All the best hunny, i do hope you find something bacause its the best job in the world!

A.x

Re: who works in a TP who isn't taking on SVN's ?

ginny — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:55:26 GMT

Of all the TP's i have worked in not one has just taken on students just to fill student placements - they have been looking for new staff members and training has been classed as a perk of the job. The aim has been to recruit staff - train them and then keep them!

I have to say that nothing bugs me more than a job applicant who only has training and then leaving in mind. While i do admre ambition i would rather the candidate had the intention of staying and working as a VN with us for a while as well! Training nurses is hard work and quite expensive.

There is often natural progression - people leave and move on or have babies or decide to see the world... This is where student jobs come from - sometimes however a VN will be looked for first. Sometimes the job will be offered to someone who is working voluntarily or someone who is working as a Saturday girl or even someone who has just stood out during work experience.

I would say keep trying, keep writing and offer to work voluntarily for a while.

Re: who works in a TP who isn't taking on SVN's ?

Doolally — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:00:06 GMT

I work in a TP and we only take on students from the degree course.

I did my training on the foundation degree, did most of my placements at this practice, then when i had 6months left of uni i got offered a job when someone left and juggled uni and working and now i'm qualified i've stayed.

From the uni I was at there is currently 3 years out on placement, about 100 people in total and that's just the foundation degree! We've got a 1st year degree student and a 2nd year degree student, it suits my boss as he doesnt have to pay them!

So I'm afraid even though there's lots of TPs around, lots of them don't employ SVNs and just get free labour from degree nurses..

All i can say is keep trying.. I know there's not enough hours in a day, but maybe if you volunteer in a TP that does take SVNs they'll be more likely to take you on when a space comes up as they know you?

Re: who works in a TP who isn't taking on SVN's ?

Diane Westwood — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:33:07 GMT

In my area most practices advertise in the local paper for students. The practice where I work has got all of their students that way.

Re: who works in a TP who isn't taking on SVN's ?

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:12:38 GMT

I agree with above post, I think most trainees are taken on if they have had work experience there. I know my local practice does this... well apart from when they took on me, I was laready there as a receptionist, but they generally take on people who come from animla care courses, or the old vnp course.

Re: who works in a TP who isn't taking on SVN's ?

Emma Jarratt — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:39:16 GMT

I work in a TP, we never advertise trainee positions, we never need to. If a space crops up then the most recent CVs are looked through, or sometimes people who have been to the practice previously for work experience.

My best advice is to get work experience with different practices, get to know the practices and keep talking to them, keep sending CVs in. Don't wait for the adverts.

Re: who works in a TP who isn't taking on SVN's ?

johannapage — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:39:13 GMT

my current practice where i started as an RVN isnt taking on as we have two L3 students who still need to finish portfolio and sit exams - not sure if they will be kept on after qualifiing - I suspect they will be in all honesty as they both fit in well with the team

my old practice where I did my training took on two degree placement nurses instead of the first yrs as they both had some experience, but after I left and another girl left they took on two first year nurses.

adverts were placed in the local paper - they didnt bother about the Vet Times etc as its too costly and people always apply.

keep on trying! even if they are looking for a second nurse - no harm in calling to see if they will take you on as a first yr.

I applied for my current job when i was a second year and worked from november til january as a second yr even tho the posistion was for a qualified nurse - just keep your hopes up and call up the second yr jobs as well!!

Re: who works in a TP who isn't taking on SVN's ?

Kathryn Welsh — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:49:20 GMT

Hi, I've just started a full time RVN job in a TP that is full of qualified nurses that were all students there - 6 in total! Only 2 outside quailifed nurses (including myself) and 4 current students that will all stay on once qualified! Whats more stupid with this is that only the main hospital is a TP but students are regularly sent to one of two branches (about 10 days a month), meaning these hours can't count towards portfolio and any case logs suitable have to be forgotten. I would say keep looking, the current students all got there jobs by just applying randomly... even if a practice is advertising doesn't mean they aren't considering hiring! Keep your spirits high x x