Beginning Training

Re: Beginning Training

Danielle M — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 16:23:56 GMT

Hi, everyone. I understand this topic is old, but I wanted to update those who helped me when I started it as I felt bad about seemingly disappearing with no appreciation!

Sadly, some family issues have halted my move to Shropshire. I have had no stable internet access for the past few months and, therefore, missed out on applying to Harper Adams/Napier/full-time training at Telford College (a closer place of work/study would be more handy, as I now still have my house here to look after!). However, after reading their entry requirements now it seems I wouldn't have got a position anyway as they require experience in a practice. (Jamie - I, too, stayed on at school and got a number of highers - it's the lack of experience that holds me back in every direction I go!)

Anyway, I just wanted to thank everyone for the help they gave me, and apologise for not doing it sooner!

Re: Beginning Training

jamie — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:47:33 GMT

I lived in Scotland when I was a teenager and applied for a million trainee positions, didnt get one reply. In the end I stayed on at school and got my Highers then I managed to get on the Degree at Bristol University. Its been hard work, I didnt have a driving license so when my placement didnt have accomodation for me all the time I would have a 2hr commute on the bus but in the long run its been worth it. I visited friends at Harper Adams and was seriously jealous that I didnt go there!! Im now Head Nurse and havent felt that having a degree has had any detrimental effect on my career however..... i do have a truck load of student loan....I am totally in the dark about how it all works out now but as VN wage is not generally great I wasnt paying anything off for the first few years I worked. It actually hasnt affected me as I have applied for mortgages etc and they dont seem to count it but its worth just bearing in mind. Good luck though whatever you do :)

Re: Beginning Training

Tracy Windler RVN — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:51:20 GMT

Thats why I hate statistics! A friend of mine at 41 was told that the likelihood of her conceiving was zero, as she had a low egg reserve and, statistically, women over the age of 40 have a minimal rate of conception and worse, if they have added fertility issues. But applying statistics to the individual is not accurate, as each person is unique, especially as she was at the low end of the age range. Your fertiltity just doesn't drop to zero when you reach 40, but using averages drags down the results for those at the lower end of the scale. And to prove it wrong, she did conceive! I could be talking complete poppy-***, but thats my take on it!

Back to subject, I can see how the figures would be poorly representative, just on the basis that a good proportion of non-degree nurses stay at their TP and so being further up the pay scale on qualifying. We all know of examples where non-qualified staff have been in the same job 10 yrs, so end up earning more than a 10 yr qualified nurse who is new to the practice. Equally, it often happens in reverse. But if there is a degree VN and a non-degree VN applying for exactly the same job, I think it would be highly unlikely that they would consider paying one, or the other less.

Re: Beginning Training

Louise B — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 22:59:29 GMT

[quote user="Elerrina"]

Although i did read in the VN times not too long ago that degree vns were still being paid up to a £1000 less than vns who train in practice

[/quote]

Yes, but the study was poorly carried out as the figures are potentially skewed by the fact that the average number of years that a degree or non-degree nurse have been in practice are not likely to the be the same as non-degree VN qualifications have been available much longer. I actually use this study to discuss validity of reported findings when extrapolating to the population that the sample supposedly represents as it is so easy for students to pull it apart

Re: Beginning Training

Elerrina — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:17:51 GMT

Although i did read in the VN times not too long ago that degree vns were still being paid up to a £1000 less than vns who train in practice

Re: Beginning Training

Rachael_24 — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:16:14 GMT

[quote user="Katie Mansfield"]degree nurses do the same amount of work placement as training by any other route (ie 70 weeks min)[/quote]

The minimum number of weeks has now actually been lowered to 60 weeks. This applies to degree nurses and diploma nurses.

I agree totally with the above comments! Degree nurses are able to get just as much hands-on experience!

What you do need to bear in mind is that the VN degree differs hughly between institutions. They all have to cover the RCVS syllabus but the other aspects of the degree could potentially be very different. If you are interested in doing the degree then make sure that you look at the programme outlines to see which institution will suit you best.

Good luck with everything x

Re: Beginning Training

NJ_VN — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:09:01 GMT

Hi welcome to shropshire!!! its the best of the shires I second what alot of people have said, i tried to find a SVN position and got nothing, which was another reason i chose the degree route. Now, half way through my 3rd year, my placement have offered me a full time position when I graduate,which is 30 minutes from my house! Allmost all the girls in my year have had offers too. Plus even if you dont get an offer from your term time placement,places are more likely to hire you as a qualified nurse who they dont have to spend money on training!

Plus we are REALLY hands on, 70 weeks as has been said, and you work properly, so ive been working 8/9 (and sometimes 10!) hour shifts as part of a team (entirely for free,but as my job offer shows, its worth it!) The degree is hard work,but you will get a really good qualification that makes your future options (eg teaching) much easier.

good luck :D :D

Re: Beginning Training

Victoria Nielsen RVN — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:34:21 GMT

Granted, several years ago when the VN degree was launched, that was the view, but degrees nurses are now just as qualified as NVQ's and now Diploma nurses and just as respected. It used to be that an employer would choose the NVQ nurse over the degree nurse due to the NVQ nurse having more practical experience but I have a degree nurse with me now in her final year, she has been with us on placements since she began her course (She is from the RVC) and she is skilled and a very valuable member of my team, and I'm proud to have her with us. She is sorely missed when she returns to university! I was going to Bristol to do the veterinary nursing course, but then I got a training place so I took the training place instead of going to university, but if I hadn't, then I would have done the degree as well. Best of wishes in finding a placement!

Re: Beginning Training

Katie Mansfield — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:04:22 GMT

[quote user="Danielle Macfarlane"] "it's more theory, less hands-on experience" [/quote]

No!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The degree nurses do the same amount of work placement as training by any other route (ie 70 weeks min) because we do placements. My course runs 3 months uni, 3 months placement. FdSc lasts 3 yrs, BSc, 4 yrs. I'm lucky in that where I'm studying (RVC) I can also opt in to work at the QMH once a week throughout my college terms.

As for employability after qualifying - I just finished a placement at the PDSA. Half the nurses there had done the degree, one of whom was the HN. I have also heard that many nurses find work at their placements after qualifying - prob easier because the practice knows already them.

K x

Re: Beginning Training

Danielle M — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:08:58 GMT

Thanks everyone!

I have considered the VN degree, but was slightly put off/worried by the "it's more theory, less hands-on experience" view on it that a lot of people seem to have, and how that can impair chances of getting a job once you've completed the degree. I'll definitely look into it more, though, if it's my only way in! Any info on the degree itself and employability afterwards (from those who run/have done/are on the course) would be great.

I'll be about 6 miles east of Bridgnorth (so around 20 miles from Harper Adams) out in the sticks. The lack of my own transport will hinder everything I do, so it's definitely something I'll be sorting asap. However, having no job when I arrive means it'll take a while before I can afford to run it!

I also know a couple of people in the area who work on farms and do general agricultural work, so they may be able to put me in touch with some practices they have used.

And thanks, Tracy! I'm a complete townie so the change will be interesting as the nearest village (pretty much a post office and a pub) is over a mile away. Looking forward to it, though. Hoping for a new start all round.

Re: Beginning Training

Tracy Windler RVN — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:38:34 GMT

Hi,

As a VN in Shropshire, I've found that jobs in general here are few and far between, especially at a good practice. But there are training positions available, although there is usually a back-log of trainees waiting to start training.

But being so rural (although I do love it here!) the public transport is appalling. So it might be a case of requiring you to get a car if you're out in the sticks.

Welcome to Shropshire, though!! Its a lovely county and we have some wonderful towns and countryside.

Tracy

Re: Beginning Training

Katie Mansfield — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:05:49 GMT

I second what Princess Ophelia says It's a lot easier to find a qualified position than a student one so if you were to go to uni and get a degree you'd have placements sorted by the uni, then after that you'll be qualified and getting a job would be no problem That's where I am at the mo; just started the degree and loving it, plus placement for Jan already sorted by my uni Having said all that tho, it'll be next Sept before you can start training, but as you've waited all this time, another few months won't hurt

K x

Re: Beginning Training

Louise B — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 14:44:28 GMT

Whereabouts in Shropshire are you moving to?

Harper Adams University College is in Shropshire and offers a foundation degree and an honours degree in veterinary nursing (I work for them). We help you to find placements and some of them include accommodation. Some of the local practices do take on trainee nurses and send them to a college but, as you note, it is difficult to get a post and transport is very likely to be a problem for you.

Good luck.

Louise

Re: Beginning Training

Rachael_24 — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 14:16:57 GMT

Hi,

Unfortunately it can be very difficult to get a position as a SVN. Once you succeed in securing that first position then you're sorted but starting off can be very hard.

I suggest that you download the list of T.Ps from the RCVS website and send your CV to any practices that appear on that list that you will be able to travel to. There's no point in considering colleges until you've got a position sorted.

Have you considered doing the degree in Veterinary Nursing??