Help! Do I stay or do I go?

Re: Help! Do I stay or do I go?

Sophie Bedford RVN CertVNECC — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 13:52:54 GMT

Don't rule out students because you think you need to pay them, we have a degree student working for us who is currently working unpaid as he was so in need of a placement that he was in the position to be able to accept an unpaid position just so he could keep studying. It does of course mean that they are at college a couple of days a week during term time but otherwise he's a full time employee and getting on really well.

Might be worth exploring with some of the universities/colleges?

Re: Help! Do I stay or do I go?

imp — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 09:49:01 GMT

Thanks for taking the time to read and reply. Steph we are already a TP practice and have achieved RCVS accreditation which in a short period is really good, however, we have no intention of taking on a student in the near future as we cannot afford to pay another nurse.

I really think its time to move on, I left my old practice on good terms so know if I asked to go back for a couple of weeks as a refresher course so to speak, they would let me.

Re: Help! Do I stay or do I go?

shelly jefferies — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:05:59 GMT

If you are having these thoughts its time to go. I always believe once someone has mentioned leaving it is only a matter of time before they do so. I agree why not try locuming until you can find something in your area suitable for your needs. Dont worry about having lost skills not blooding or i/v catheters for 3 years, I took 5 years out to run a stable yard and breeding kennels, although did a far bit of nursing still didnt did i/v work and when i went back into practice it wasnt a problem.....pretty much like riding a bike.

Life is too short to be doing something which makes you unhappy

Re: Help! Do I stay or do I go?

Steph Smith BSc(hons) RVN — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 22:19:16 GMT

Hi Imp,

Your job sounds incredibly similar to mine. I feel very frustrated and honestly depressed at times.

I also find it lonely to work without other RVNs.

When did you start to feel like this about your current job? I have been at my current practice for 18 months. I live very close by (walkable) and the area provides for a good QOL, and it is about 50 minutes from the city where my husband works so his commute is o.k. Also I can take my dog to work with me and there's a huge park literally one minute from the practice with a river for some lunch time doggy paddling (regardless of the weather!). Although with no-one to cover me at lunch, sometimes I struggle to take a lunch break, but that is more my own fault for not stopping what I am doing and to make sure I get out.

Fortunately my boss is very supportive and I don't have the same problem with paying for CPD/reg fees and a few months ago he did recognise that I was struggling to manage to juggle receptionist/practice manager/cleaner/vet nurse/helping with building maintenance etc. and we have since become an aTP. Is this something you might be able to do at your practice?

This has improved my job satisfaction and I am not so lonely. It gives my brain something to work on as I need to keep up to date on the changes in legislations and syllabus. It is also sometimes a help to have someone to share the crappy jobs, with and with my 2nd years student she is a real help with setting up theatre and grabbing the phone when I am busy with a client/patient. My boss would like to meet the RCVS practice standards scheme and improve the business however we are a little limited by low case load and the old building which has been converted from 2 ajoining retail shops. Ofcourse it is also a bit of a burden because it means I have less time to perform my usual daily tasks and do NPL and training for new students, but if they end up staying it is worth it in the long run as they learn how to do things on their own. Sometimes my students feel bored because it's a small practice but this is why we are an aTP, I am hoping they will also get to study at a different practice where they can improve their hands on skills in ICU etc.

It is definately not an ideal situation for nursing on a practical level, however I feel my boss is really doing his best to try to improve things in general and perhaps you are missing this support from your own employer?

If you were to locum is there someone who could take care of your wee one? Perhaps if there are any locums here have children, they might be able to give you some good advice in regards to childcare and general picking up from school arrangements etc.

All the jobs I have heard about or applied for have been through word of mouth or in Vet Times or on this website on the jobs forum.

Steph

Re: Help! Do I stay or do I go?

Mark Hedberg — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 17:01:15 GMT

Locum. Set your own hours and work when you need to. Oh, and get paid more. :) You can set up as self employed, or register with an umbrella company.

As long as you tolerate being paid less and being undervalued, they'll keep treating you like that. The most dangerous person in the world is a person who doesn't tolerate being taken advantage of.

vetnurse.co.uk has a jobs board, vetclick.com has adverts, caw.ac.uk has a jobs board, vn times has loads of ads in the back; Carlton Professional (they helped me), A1, loads of places. Good luck!