Career advice for a new RVN

Re: Career advice for a new RVN

Amanda — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 10:06:52 GMT

Im afraid you will never be able to escape the long hours!! Veterinary Nursing is very well known for long hours!

Why not try referral nursing. I started off in first opinion and was only there 6 months before relocating to referral work and ive been here 8 years now!! I absolutly love referral work, especially orthopaedics, and mainly because we are able to do so much more than what you're allowed in first opinion. We pretty much do everything with our patients other than the initial consult and actual surgery!

Give it a go, you'll never look back!!! Good Luck

Re: Career advice for a new RVN

Lotts Carter — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 08:15:16 GMT

ah..i wouldnt actually consider clinical coaching if i was a locum. I think its important to be in the practice permanently for the student. The possible permanent position that wants experience probably would involve clinical coaching..thats why I ask :)

Re: Career advice for a new RVN

Phrin Vernon RVN — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 22:42:58 GMT

[quote user="Alia"]

You could do theoretically, CC training doesn't involve the building up of evidence like the A1 training did and its only a day course. However the colleges we work with discourage locums from being set up onto students NPL's and recommend that the locum should be there as to provide support rather than sign off tasks. I think this would be different if you had a long term locum though.

[/quote]

Ah OK that makes sense. Thanks for the reply Alia :)

Re: Career advice for a new RVN

Alia — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 22:41:47 GMT

Re: Career advice for a new RVN

Phrin Vernon RVN — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 22:31:40 GMT

Perhaps a daft question, but can you be a locum and train as a clinical coach at the same time?

Re: Career advice for a new RVN

Alia — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:00:33 GMT

You normally need to be qualified for 1 year before being a clinical coach, mainly to get your skills/confidence as a QVN. I would think this is particularly important as a locum as its good to have back up from other clinical coaches when you first start off, if you're changing practices often you may not get this.

Re: Career advice for a new RVN

Mark Hedberg — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 17:31:06 GMT

[quote user="Lotts Carter"]

How do people feel about a newly quailified RVN being a clinical coach???

[/quote]

The better question would probably be "how do YOU feel about being a clinical coach?" :) (After all, despite external opinions, it does come down to how competent you are and how confident you feel.)

Re: Career advice for a new RVN

Lotts Carter — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:47:32 GMT

Hi,

Thanks for everyones feedback..funnily enough, since I posted this I've been locuming! and enjoyed it very much..my only issues with it would be that I dont particularly want to stay away from home and so I am depending on fairly local work. Its also a bit scary not having a guranateed wage but the wages are good when I get them! One thing I have experienced, is that people (agencies and practices) have put me to one side because i am newly qualified, which is a little dissapointing as I have nearly 6 years experience in practice and have done sole charge etc also. I suppose this will change with the more jobs I manage to get.

I have a nice week off now...but start in a local practice for most of august with the potential of going permanent...although again the practice seem to be using my locum position as trialing me and holding out for a more experienced nurse to come along. Again a bit dissapointing as I could really see myself working there permanently; and i believe my inexperience on paper is the only thing that is holding me back.

How do people feel about a newly quailified RVN being a clinical coach???

I have lined up a couple other interviews for perm jobs..to keep my options open!

I have regained enthusiasm and a bit of confidence in the career though I am pleased to say and the practice I have just worked in was a really nice place to be, which helped alot.

Thanks for all the positive advice again :)

Re: Career advice for a new RVN

louise170388 — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 14:09:11 GMT

I agree that locumming might be a good move for you too. I was working at a practice where some of the people were making it miserable, I started to hate going into work.. So as soon as I qualified I ventured out into the locumming work and LOVED it.. As it happens Im not based at a practice long term and I really enjoy it here but if I had to I would always go back to being a locum :)

Re: Career advice for a new RVN

Paulette — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 19:05:09 GMT

I ditto what Jo said. I have been qualified just over two years and only locumed the whole time. everything Jo said applies and have done loads of travelling and it's better money. Few downsides include: not all practices provide accommodation so either need loads of work near your home or be prepared to travel around, sometimes accommodation is pants but you're not there for long, don't know what to expect until you're there or someone you know has worked there before but that's the gamble in any job! For me the pros weigh out the cons but everyone is different. I say if you have the chance and in a situation to be able to give locuming a go, do it! Good luckies :D

Re: Career advice for a new RVN

Jo Mackenzie — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 21:08:44 GMT

I also found myself losing my enthusiasm for my job after moving practice a few times and still feeling really disheartened by work. Every practice has its downside, whether its the practice politics, long hours, low caseload, nurses being treated as nothing more than glorified cleaners or receptionists etc etc. Like you I love the actual job, it's just everything that goes with it that I struggle with! This time last year, after four years of trying to find a job that I really enjoyed, I was at the stage where I was considering giving up nursing altogether. I left my job and started locumming to tide me over whilst I decided what I wanted to do and I haven't looked back! I love it! I get to choose where I work and how long for, experience working in all different types of practice without having to commit to a permanent job there, get to be a NURSE (as practices aren't going to pay locum rates for someone to sit on reception all day), travel all over the UK and meet loads of lovely people. The average time I spend in a practice is about 4-6 weeks, which I find is perfect as its long enough to feel comfortable there and get to know people, but I leave before I get involved in the practice politics. Its a great way of getting experience and confidence as well, I would recommend it to all new RVNs!

Re: Career advice for a new RVN

Fuzzyduck — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 22:06:05 GMT

Maybe give yourself a bit longer to settle in to your new place, any change in job is stressful and difficult and it takes time to settle in properly. If you like the actual work then maybe it will improve.

All practices have their downsides, even referral ones, i have never worked in a perfect practice and have worked in a wide range of different places incl referral and 1st opinion. Its just about finding one you enjoy most of the time

Re: Career advice for a new RVN

Lotts Carter — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 21:27:16 GMT

Thanks for your reply. I think the stress of moving and my new job not turning out as I expected has disheartened me. I love the actual work and have always been interested in referral, but I do appreciate your advice of having a trial day or two before accepting a new job. Thanks again

Re: Career advice for a new RVN

Lotts Carter — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 21:27:13 GMT

Re: Career advice for a new RVN

Fuzzyduck — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 21:09:36 GMT

What is it you dislike about the practices? The people? The hours? The work itself?

If you dont want to work in general practice then your only real options are referral, maybe there is a centre close to you so you dont have to move again, lecturing, or repping.

Or look for another job within general practice however before accepting the job work a day there, or even a few days so you get the feel for it before committing yourself to another job that you dont like. I personally would never take a job unless ive tried it out for a day at least.

Unfortunately even in referral and other areas outside of general practice the hours are long, you often have to work weekends and on call so if its the hours that are the problem then maybe look for a smaller practice who has an OOH provider minimising the OOH work, however you may not find the work in a very small practice as challenging.