Change of heart.

Re: Change of heart.

littlefox — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 22:13:32 GMT

Thank you to everyone who replied you have really made a difference. I feel I lot better and calmer. I'm going to take each day as it comes. I will talk to my tutors about how I feel. Thanks again.

Re: Change of heart.

Katherine Spear — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 23:01:10 GMT

Id definitely agree with Meep Kitten and say that clients are very understanding if you explain that you are training - Ive recently started in a new job and am thanking every client for 'bearing with me - im still learning the computer' every time Im on reception - I find Im really slow on the computer system as its new to me but that by explaining why to the clients makes a huge difference - every one of them has been really nice as I expect they can totally understand as most people have been in the same situation of learning a new job! Dont let it be a worry and just be honest and always ask for help, and definitely speak to your college tutor or clinical coach - Im sure most SVNs end up in tears somewhere along the line - its a very stressful environment xx

Re: Change of heart.

Lor12 — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 22:05:31 GMT

I felt the same when I first started in practice, I was 19 and it was a dream job for me but I was completely petrified and I too would come home and countlessly wonder whether I had done the right thing, thinking I was too emotional for it all but I made it through and you will too. You wait there will be a little furry person that you get involved with, it might be an anorexic cat or a frightened dog but your care will make a huge difference to them and will make it all worthwhile, trust me.

What you might find useful and I don't know if this is possible for you but when I first started I did a year just working in practice without the stress of college just to learn the ropes as there is so much to take in you cant possibly do everything all at once. This really helped me and I found that once the year had passed I knew a lot of it already just from being in practice.

Maybe it's something you could mention and see if you could postpone college, just focus on finding your feet for the time being.

Wishing you lots of luck x

Re: Change of heart.

meep_ kitten — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 21:45:32 GMT

And a good tip I picked up for dealing with clients: you don't have to say you don't know something, you can say "I'll find out for you". When you don't know something or aren't sure, tell them you are learning the ropes and they will be more patient. Like "L" plates when you're learning to drive. Most people are actually nice and won't mind waiting! The great thing about veterinary nursing as a career is that you are always learning and finding out new things, in the early days it can be horrendously stressful, but when you've found your feet, its actually a great thing to have a job where your mind is constantly engaged!

Re: Change of heart.

meep_ kitten — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 21:38:19 GMT

I'm so glad you posted in this forum - probably every trained nurse and trainee felt like this at some point!! I'm sure you feel horribly overwhelmed, but as every person offering advice has said - share your feelings with your college tutors, they are there to support you. Its always a bit like that when everything is so new, but everyone had to start somewhere, and you will build up your confidence with experience. I still have days where I think there is just a swarm of people in front of me needing advice and demanding knowledge and expertise, and I'm only a volunteer to get experience so I'm still finding my feet!! Just remember when you get overwhelmed, that you are still learning so you are not expected to know everything, its early days yet, just take it one day at a time, and one experience at a time with each interaction you have with an animal or a client - each interaction is an experience and you will build from that! hang in there, talk to people, and don't be hard on yourself.

Re: Change of heart.

gemima — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 21:20:51 GMT

I just took one day at a time, and tackled each thing as they came up. I know that may sound like a cop out answer but it did help and true, i also had a little pocket note book so i could write new things down or notes about things that i could refer too things like drug formulations and how to work out drip rates etc. It is a very hard job and very emotional for a million reasons but the day you get your VN badge or the day an owner thanks you for helping there pet, or you save an animals life in an emergency you will get a buzz thats like no other, and all teh tears and heart ache will be worth while. I dont think i have ever met a veterinary nurse that hasnt had the same thoughts at some point (more often than not during training). What is it that is upsetting you so much is there one thing you can pin point or is it a culmination of what you said earlier? Also maybe try taking Kalms tablets to help make you feel a little better take a couple three times a day, i swear by them!, Hope you are ok? x

Re: Change of heart.

Mark Hedberg — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 20:35:30 GMT

Don't tell them you give up. 100% you need to tell them how you feel; your college is there to support you as well as train you. They've trained as vets or nurses and have been in your shoes. Don't keep it a secret, ask for a private meeting with your tutor or whoever is designated at your college to help. Honest, don't bottle it in - you won't be thrown out of a placement because you are feeling sad, scared, or stressed!

Re: Change of heart.

littlefox — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 20:27:55 GMT

Hi, I'm glad I'm not along in feeling like this. How did you get through it? I'm struggling to get from one day to the next. I have been crying all day, all weekend, right now!! I just don't have any enthusiasm, I have college tomorrow and I'm in two minds of telling my tutors I want to throw in the towel.

Re: Change of heart.

gemima — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 19:47:06 GMT

Hello, i hope you are ok? It can be very daunting i can remember when i first started i hated it and cried every day because i never thought id be able to do the job and reception scared the hell out of me!! I was so scared of saying the wrong thing, is there anyone at college that you could have a chat with? What is the practice like that you have a placement with do you think any support could be offered there? I know at our practice if we thought someone was feeling this way we would support them 100% and do what we could to help be it ensuring there was an experienced nurse for them to shadow during the working day or a point of contact to go through worries/queries. I do genuinely know how you feel and would be happy to talk to you via email etc, i think every nurse has been were you are at some point. Hope this helped a little bit. x