Making the move? NHS

Re: Making the move? NHS

Angiy Michael — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 03:18:27 GMT

I remember you crazy day off drop ins Ahhhhh I miss those times

Re: Making the move? NHS

Kate Claxton DipAVN(Med)VN — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:34:27 GMT

I'm not getting these messages, boo hoo! Will try and answer both questions in one...

I got into it by doing the DipAVN at 25, then thinking 'where now' - I didn't want to be a head nurse, work in referral/university or teach, but did have an interest in radiography which I'd been able to learn loads more about as part of the DAVN (this from the girl who failed her VN practical exams on Radiography first time around!) I started looking into radiography and learnt that as well as diagnostic radiographers, doing the same as we do as VNs but on people, there was also an area called therapy radiography - purely the planning/treatment of cancer with x-rays. I went and spent a day in the local RT dept - which terrified and fascinated me in equal measures. The site http://www.radiographycareers.co.uk is really useful and made me realise that I could get a bursary/loan, as well as my tuition fees paid.

I did have a weird transition period where I felt like I was a vet nurse playing at studying as a radiographer - I left my old PDSA practice on very good terms and often found myself going back on 'days off' and working for free (crazy I know! ) but found that it helped me adjust to the change better. Now I can't imagine being back in practice full-time - while it's a busy job, I love my patients and the work I do.

The downsides? We're short of money in the NHS (as you may have heard....haha) so while I've had a temporary promotion to cover maternity, I'm now back to radiographer grade (vs Senior grade) but doing the same job as I was as a temporary Senior. We're pay-frozen but still able to progress up increments. The department's busy and hectic and in an ideal world, I'd like to spend more time with my patients, but like consultations, things have to be kept to a timescale.

Re: Making the move? NHS

Selena Carnell — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:52:37 GMT

Kate I couldnt find a button to pm you either but left a comment. Wuld be interested how you got in to it.

Re: Making the move? NHS

Angiy Michael — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:36:19 GMT

Hi Sal,

I don't moonlight either. I'm still a student so I live on a bursary ..which doesn't pay my mortgage..so I work part time and it makes sense that I do that as a VN rather than get a job stacking shelves in the supermarket My part time job has very regular set hours and is at the practice I was in when I last worked full-time. I also do a bit of locuming in the holidays but once again this is for practices I have worked for for years now so I have a regular relationship with them. I still very much enjoy VN-ing but I am really glad i have made a move in that I wanted a new challenge and to learn something new. I think I enjoy my part-time VN work more now than when I was full-time as I don't get bogged down in the work politics etc as much as everyone inevitably does when they are full-time. I still haven't decided what I will do about VN work when I qualify as an RN..when you have done something for so long it does tend to get under your skin , like Kate said really, and it becomes part of who you are..so I suspect I may not give it up immediately as I still enjoy it and it's always good to be able to do two things. I also wouldn't paint the NHS as having amazing working pay , etc etc..especially as it is currently undergoing major shake up..and a lot of it doesn't seem to be for the better ( but that's a whole other thread)...I would , however, say that it it does offer reasonable renumeration and career development for it's staff and has been a good move for me in that I needed a change, a new challenge, to learn a new subject and job etc etc ...and I was weary of the same old same old politics in vet practice . Quite a few vet nurses make a cross over to NHS based careers and I think this is actually a great testament to VN's..in that they have lots of useful transferable skills and I think it's ofetn a natural choice for VN's looking for something new as it still has elements of the things they enjoyed about veterinary nurse work.

Re: Making the move? NHS

vanessa — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:04:15 GMT

Hi Kate,

I couldn't find the button to PM you but I'd also like to know how youi found it being a nature student (I'm 28 this month) and also how you find the NHS in general.

Thanks

Re: Making the move? NHS

Kate Claxton DipAVN(Med)VN — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:35:53 GMT

Sal, I don't 'moonlight' nor feel the need to due to a lack of job satisfaction!

I love my job and don't have time with all my doggy activites to do extra VN work. Times are tight so don't blame those wanting to remain registered to supplement their income - it's no different to full time VNs having other part time jobs - doesn't mean they enjoy their VN work any less! I used to work through my uni holidays as a locum to build a bank of money ready for the term ahead to supplement my bursary/student loan. A lot of NHS staff will have student debt to pay off - another reason for supplementing your income.

I don't really miss VN work that much, I miss the VN community & staying in touch with developments in practice but find through here and Facebook I am able to do both. I'm also a full fee paying client (insured pets, naturally!) at my local vets - no perks of staff discount any more which is maybe another reason why people do part time VN work - makes a big difference to the vet fees to just be able to 'pop in' and get your pet checked!

Re: Making the move? NHS

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:23:25 GMT

it's ok - I've just looked it up...

http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/details/default.aspx?id=255

Re: Making the move? NHS

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:20:33 GMT

I am curious - what does an operating department practioner actually do?

Re: Making the move? NHS

Catherine Goulding — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:54:37 GMT

The only reason I am doing both at the moment is money. I am only a first year student with 2 more years to go after this one. My bursary doesn't cover all of my bills so I am having to work extra in the evenings and at weekends in addition to working full time in my placement hospital and my uni work. I must admit I do miss the furry patients but the odd shift here and there does help to remind me why I'm leaving the profession, especially when they are shitty, biting, smelly, etc, I certainly haven't missed the parvo smell nor being pee'd on. I'm not saying that I'll not get any of this as an NHS worker but the profession I have chosen to enter will see the minimum of this as most of the patients will be asleep.

Re: Making the move? NHS

Sal the 1st — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 10:10:03 GMT

Can I just ask a question? - and its not to be nasty or derogatory or anything. If we are having this mass exodus to the NHS and the NHS is so fantastic and the conditions are so much better in wages, holidays, career progression etc etc then why do so many people who have chosen this as their career path over veterinary nursing still feeling the need to 'moonlight' as veterinary nurses? It doesnt add up - on the one hand we are being told how good it is on the other side of the fence and yet if it is so good why are people coming back to 'slum it ' ( and yes this is a phrase I have heard) back in the veterinary world? It just suggests to me that maybe the NHS isnt 100% fulfilling what people are wanting for themselves?

Re: Making the move? NHS

Mark Hedberg — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:46:50 GMT

Well then, best wishes to you - show 'em how it's done! :)

Good luck!

Re: Making the move? NHS

Biddy Aggy — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 07:27:52 GMT

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"]Well, have you thought about doing a top-up degree? Get a BSc (Hons) in Veterinary Nursing and it's less than 4 years training - you could stay in the veterinary field, if that's of any interest to you. Lot of pharmaceutical companies, industry, or management roles for vet nurses! (Several colleges offer it - do ask around!)[/quote]

Hey Mark, I had thought about this but after much research I feel it really is time to move on. I have worked as a locum, emergency VN, referral practice and even teaching but I am still not fulfilled or feel the job prospects/ career developments are available. The more I look into it the more I think a move to the NHS would suit better, which is a shame really as I have been VNing for 12 years and have loved it but I am at a crossroads now and my heart tells me its time to move on.

I think I would still do the odd weekend/locum job here and there though, I feel I would still need my VN fix every now and again

I'm leaning towards pharmacy/radiography so just trying to arrange some work experience in those fields at the moment. Bit daunting starting all over again!

Re: Making the move? NHS

Mark Hedberg — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 07:18:07 GMT

[quote user="Angiy Michael"]

I'm all for people doing the top up degree in Vet Nursing..although I suspect if someone is feeling time to move on then maybe a complete change is needed..that was my experience anyway. There are certainly a wider range of career options open to you if you top up to degree ...however as someone who had a degree before entering vet nursing I didn't find it opened up a huge array of extra options for me..just my own experience....however I support anyone who decides to go dow this route as we need more VN's pushing the boundaries to develop a wider spectrum of career options

[/quote]

Fair point! (Forgot to mention that quite a few VN's are highly popular and effective teachers and CPD speakers! :) )

Re: Making the move? NHS

Selena Carnell — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 07:05:56 GMT

I'm finding this thread really interesting. Ive been a full time mum for near 7 yrs. and just looking to go bk to wrk at the age of 35 with a family I just don't know where I want to end up. Most of the vets near me don't seem to want a part timer or someone who can't do OOH. I'm having the trouble though of getting employers to look past the vn bits on my cv as vn is all I have done since I left school. Most don't realise the diversity... Or maybe my cv is crap! I applied for mortuary assistant never got a look in, so my interests lie between medical based stuff or childcare based. I think working in an office would kill me! NHS certainly interests me. So will be watching this thread.

Re: Making the move? NHS

Angiy Michael — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 01:16:17 GMT

Re: Making the move? NHS

Mark Hedberg — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 23:14:28 GMT

[quote user="Biddy Aggy"]

Hi Kate,

I would love to know more about your move, I have been nursing for 12 years and find it's time to move on, just not sure where to start plus trying to weigh up benefits of starting training all over again.

I am considering a move to either radiography or pharmacy, any info advice on the move would be much appreciated!

Has it been difficult going back as a mature student? Im 30yrs old now and a little daunted about 4years of training!!

Many thanks!

[/quote]

Well, have you thought about doing a top-up degree? Get a BSc (Hons) in Veterinary Nursing and it's less than 4 years training - you could stay in the veterinary field, if that's of any interest to you. Lot of pharmaceutical companies, industry, or management roles for vet nurses! (Several colleges offer it - do ask around!)

Re: Making the move? NHS

Biddy Aggy — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:42:49 GMT

Hi Kate,

I am considering a move to either radiography or pharmacy, any info advice on the move would be much appreciated!

Has it been difficult going back as a mature student? Im 30yrs old now and a little daunted about 4years of training!!

Many thanks!

Re: Making the move? NHS

Kate Claxton DipAVN(Med)VN — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:00:06 GMT

Anyone who's interested about learning more about a career in Radiotherapy or the NHS in general is more than welcome to PM me.

Re: Making the move? NHS

Angiy Michael — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:26:31 GMT

Hi Caro , I have indeed heard some negative experiences about NHS Wigan in some departments and I have discussed these with you and will happily share them in context when anyone would like to know about them..I just was saying can we keep on topic..as in the original poster was asking for some career advice ..I appreciate you have had some horribly negative experiences with the NHS..but that was not what the thread was about ..was trying to stop it going off topic.. don't get in a huff with me or I wil come round and over microwave your salad ! .p.s have you changed your mobile no. you daft sod ? You never reply to texts ! XXX

Re: Making the move? NHS

Caro Laithwaite VN — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:25:26 GMT

Re: Making the move? NHS

Selena Carnell — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 17:15:41 GMT

Katy how did u get in to pharmacy wrk I would be interested in that too.

Re: Making the move? NHS

Catherine Goulding — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:52:40 GMT

[quote user="Angiy Michael"]Can we stick to the original question if possible rather than turning this into a thread for airing all complaints about the NHS ?[/quote]

I fully agree......

Re: Making the move? NHS

Angiy Michael — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:33:25 GMT

Can we stick to the original question if possible rather than turning this into a thread for airing all complaints about the NHS ? Anyhoooo...I am in the process of making the transition over and have just started my third year of adult branch nursing..I agree with the previous poster..I wish I had done it years ago. Jobs wise at the moment there is not a lot out there I agree..they have been clamping down on recruitment across all trusts since we got our new government in . I would contact your local uni and see if you can go along for an open day to get a flavour for things ..also worth contacting your local trust to see if you could speak to one of their OT's to ask some general questions. Ot's usually undertake a 3-4 year degree

http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/details/default.aspx?id=284

Here is a useful link below XX

http://www.cot.co.uk/

Re: Making the move? NHS

vanessa — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:10:15 GMT

Just had an email from Cardiff. They're not running the part time course at all now due to no funding so thats that idea scuppered unfortuantly.

Re: Making the move? NHS

Katy — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 22:05:28 GMT

Glad I made the move. The holidays, sick pay and other benefits are great.

I'm a pharmacy technician, and I work at Central Manchester Foundation Trust ( 4 hospitals in one!).

Definitely recommend the work experience if you are not 100% sure and have some questions about the training.