A quick question

Re: A quick question

Mark Hedberg — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 08:55:48 GMT

Good luck! :) there's simply no replacement for a big smile and a handshake!

Re: A quick question

zalenski81 — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:27:22 GMT

I think you're right and possibly because the comments weren't sugar coated in any way we took them quite personally but I think I should have pointed out that we are not hard nosed business people used to dealing with this on an every day basis, we are a group of people who came up with an idea and wanted to see if anyone else thought the same as we did. When we pitched it to the vets at our practices we had a really positive response and I think we were quite shocked at the amount of negativity surrounding the original post. I also think that the person who said that it's hard to read emotions through text is absolutely right which has contributed to what feels a little bit like a furore around the subject. However, the exercise has thrown up a lot of questions which we can now address and see where we end up. It's also shown us the value of face to face communication. We really do appreciate your comments and hope that people continue to tell us what they think but please be gentle! We're just big softies at the end of the day!

Re: A quick question

Sal the 1st — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:47:53 GMT

yes I noticed this on vetsurgeon too and I didnt really consider the comments to be bitchy as such, but they were honest and bearing in mind these are replies from people the service would be pitched to I dont think they should be taken insultingly more as indicators as to what isnt going to be attractive to your target market

Re: A quick question

Mark Hedberg — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:17:23 GMT

Slight disclosure - I saw this topic on vetsurgeon.org, and while the reactions were indeed negative, I don't know that I'd call them "bitchy" - just that there (as here) you posted an idea that didn't seem to be totally thought through. I know you're looking for feedback, but criticism means there's a question there that needs answering.

That's a bit of trouble with posting online - it's very hard to get emotion to filter through written text! :)

Re: A quick question

Sal the 1st — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:41:22 GMT

[quote user="zalenski81"]

Yes the practices who sign up to search for a locum would pay and although we would check the credentials of everyone who registers, the onus will always be on the [ractices to make sure that the person they hire is suitable for the job.

Thanks to everyone for your input please pass it on! It's all very useful x

[/quote]

How would you check the credentials though? What would be different in your credential checks to those that could be carried out very quickly by anybody wanting to employ a locum? Would your credentials check merely be that a locum is on the register or would you be checking with previous employers and asking for references from them. Apart from the fact that somebody is qualified how would you be able to tell if the locum is a decent nurse or not. If it was me in this situation to be really honest I would be very careful about claiming that you have carried out a credentials check because if you do get a duffer locum or somebody that isnt what they make themselves out to be there could well be comeback on you as a result. Its ok to add that practices should carry out their own checks but by you saying that you have checked credentials you could inadvertantly be giving somebody of dubious character an air of respectability. Sorry, although its a good idea this is already being done, so unless you can really make it different or stand out from all the others I dont think this one will fly just my opinion.

Think about how else you could make your service unique so it will stand out and people want to use it and it might be a goer

Re: A quick question

Mark Hedberg — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:54:36 GMT

I think your first step should be to find out what the agency fees actually are. Your post of "what they surely pay" seem to suggest you don't fully know your competition charges. Not a sin, but you need data before you have a business plan.

Re: A quick question

Vicky RVN — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:12:48 GMT

I haven't been a locum, but don't think it's a bad idea. If I did locum I think i'd use it

Re: A quick question

kaz84 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:23:57 GMT

good idea!

or facebook, I got my current job via a facebook group that is dedicated to just vets and nurses. My current employer couldnt see any post from my account due to security setting are rather high, for privacy reasons. has worked out well :)

Re: A quick question

zalenski81 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:34:07 GMT

[quote user="Tracy Windler RVN"]

I wouldn't like the idea of "reviews". I'm not a pram or a car!! But I would be concerned that someone might write something horrible about you. Possiby only positive feedback, which, like a brief reference, says enough with its lack of content.

[/quote]

Yes I understand this concern. I was thinking that reviews or ratings or whatever you want to call them would be moderated and sent to each party for comment before being posted on each others profiles. There would also be the option to decline to comment should anything untoward happen as not everyone can get along all the time!

I've also had quite negative (and on occassion bitchy!) feedback from the vet surgeon website where I posted a similar question but they raised the following points:

people can post job vaccancies on here (and vet surgeon) for free. Do you think that being able to see each other and see the nurses qualifications and targeting the nurse you want is better than a blanket ad which possibly no one will reply to?

Is the small subscription fee (was thinking £50 a year just to cover costs) too much in comparision with what practices surely pay for agency fees each time they search for a locum?

One comment "vets and nurses reviewing each other is worthless, far too partisan and personal to be able to trust" do you agree?

Thanks again for all your feedback and remember, be nice! I am only human (and asking) after all! Thanks xx

Re: A quick question

Tracy Windler RVN — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:13:12 GMT

Re: A quick question

zalenski81 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:17:28 GMT

Thanks to everyone for your input please pass it on! It's all very useful x

Re: A quick question

Katie Mansfield — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:30:36 GMT

Who would pay? The practices that use it? Also would the site managers be responsible for checking the credentials of the locums that advertise themselves on it?

It does sound good from a locum nurse's point of view, tho

K x

Re: A quick question

Dippy — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:59:52 GMT

I'd use it. I've always sourced my own locum work by doing mailouts to literally dozens of practices in my area as I preferred not to go through an agency for various reasons. If it saved me all that printing/postage and as long as it was well advertised to practices, I'd definitely give it a go.

Re: A quick question

louise170388 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:18:18 GMT

I would probably sign up? No harm if its going to help get jobs/staff. ALso given the recent press re:locums with bad reps it may be a good idea to see reviews before diving into employing them