Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Katerina Kartsona — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:17:41 GMT

[quote user="Charmaloo88"]

[quote user="Katerina Kartsona"]

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"]

Katerina - if there's one consistent theme on vetnurse.co.uk, it's that vet nurses in the UK aren't paid very well either...sad but true.

[/quote]

what is the lowest wage?I have an e-shop as well...I will keep that too..

I was only spending 10-20 pounds per week at the supermarket.I basically want to be able to pay for my house and have whatever my kid and my animals need...Going for a walk in one of your beautiful parks is far enough for me..I can find beauty anywhere...I am happy with the basic stuff and nice people around me..

[/quote]

Just a thought...if you want to continue spending £20 per week at the supermarket find somewhere with a Lidl nearby! I used to be a bit snobby about shopping there but everything is decent quality and I saved about £50 a month on food for myself!

[/quote]

we also have it here... :)

I don't smoke, I don't eat meat...I cook very simple for myself(unless I make Indian and chinese that I love)and I generally never spend money on food...My child is using cloth diapers and he is breastfeeding..He eats very healthy and the only expense is his meat that I want it to be free range....
Lidl is not popular here either...but is actually saves you so much money

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Charmaloo88 — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:02:51 GMT

[quote user="Katerina Kartsona"]

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"]

Katerina - if there's one consistent theme on vetnurse.co.uk, it's that vet nurses in the UK aren't paid very well either...sad but true.

[/quote]

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Victoria Nielsen RVN — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:00:04 GMT

[quote user="Katerina Kartsona"]

thank you!I will look North..I sent messages to many estate agents.Is south expensive as well?I have been to Kent a couple o times and I remember it was very nice...but living in Athens were there is dirt and concrete everywhere...even east London looked nice to me...cause I can barely see "green colour" here....They have destroyed all trees to build houses ...and in the summer they burn all forests too....and since our government allows them to build or doesn't put a fine to them....they continue burning..

May I ask something else....Since I have animals...how do you personally try to prevent passing diseases after coming back at home?Do you continue vaccinating them as if they would have been outdoors even if they don't?Do you take shoes off and just have a shower?
I am more scared of the unknown deceases rather than the ones I know...

[/quote]

South is more expensive than the North as cost of living is higher.

My cat is indoors only, she is vaccinated, wormed and flea'd as if she was outdoors. Generally she isn't bothered when I come home, but I get changed as soon as I get in, putting my uniform away where she can't sniff it so she doesn't get upset if she did. If there was an infectious case, I will wash my uniform as soon as I take it off.

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Louise B — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 08:59:01 GMT

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent.html

You can get an idea of how expensive properties are to rent in different places by doing a rental property search on Rightmove (a very popular portal for renting and buying property in the UK).

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Katerina Kartsona — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 08:48:30 GMT

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Louise B — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 23:27:25 GMT

Shropshire is cheap. I rent a 2 bed house in the town centre of Market Drayton for £475 per month (council tax = £89/month).

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Katerina Kartsona — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 20:03:22 GMT

[quote user="Princess Ophelia Hermione MacBeth"]

Are you sure you are not an internet troll???

[/quote]

I have been following this thread out of interest and I just wanted to apologise for thinking you were an internet troll. I genuinely did think that you were but you are clearly not and obviously do want to train and work as a vet nurse. I am sorry for doubting you. Good luck with your endeavours to move here and find a training position. In the words of Dirty Dancing Baby's dad's words: "when I am wrong, i say I am wrong"

[/quote]

you can't even imagine how much I want to return to the UK....it is far more difficult now but I will make it :)

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Louise B — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:50:23 GMT

[quote user="Princess Ophelia Hermione MacBeth"]

Are you sure you are not an internet troll???

[/quote]

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Katerina Kartsona — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:23:21 GMT

[quote user="Vicki Nielsen RVN"]

I grew up in Essex, at the end of the Central Line and it's expensive to rent there now. In Loughton, where my parents still live, one bedroom flats are £1,100 per month!

I now live in Hertfordshire, and renting is more reasonable. Most one bedroom flats are £700. Two bedroom flats, you will be looking at £850 plus council tax, which is about £130 around here, so roughly £1000.

For £400, that is one bed in a houseshare around here and I'm on the edge of the Hertfordshire/ London border. You will struggle to find a flat at £400! Perhaps a studio but even they are around £600 here.

Best to go up north as renting is cheaper up there but cost of living is lower as well so it really does conflict.

Finding a landlord that will allow you to keep your pets as well is extremely difficult but some landlords, like mine, allow certain pets if you ask nicely and dependent on where the property is. My cat is indoors only, and I live in a modern new build flat on the ground floor. I have to pay for the professional cleaning once I've moved out if I do in the future. So you may have to pay additional fees in order to have pets if you are lucky to be allowed.

I wish you the best of luck! You seem like a very determined lady.

Vicki x

[/quote]

very determined and stubborn...lol

North is fine too...Since there are so many colleges(I noticed some don't give you a license so I will have to be extra careful)I will find something.I wish I had the money to live in Epping forest... I had a look and found a few places very cheap even near London but maybe there is a "mold hazard "or something...it is not normal finding a place for 350-400 in London..

thanks a lot for your help !

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Mark Hedberg — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 14:59:49 GMT

Perhaps you should consider other cities than London; there are 47 (or so) veterinary nursing colleges and training companies in the UK, all over the UK - so it might be that you could live someplace cheaper and still study nursing.

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Victoria Nielsen RVN — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 14:49:44 GMT

I grew up in Essex, at the end of the Central Line and it's expensive to rent there now. In Loughton, where my parents still live, one bedroom flats are £1,100 per month!

Best to go up north as renting is cheaper up there but cost of living is lower as well so it really does conflict.

I wish you the best of luck! You seem like a very determined lady.

Vicki x

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Katerina Kartsona — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 10:30:30 GMT

[quote user="Tracy Windler RVN"]

Salaries vary, but for student nurses, I would estimate £10,000 per annum - although if you are training, they can pay even less (gross, but tax would be minimal on that, as you can earn around that before paying tax) then national insurance comes off that automatically (in theory, this pays for our health service). As a qualified nurse, I would expect to earn £14-18,000.

Before I had a baby, both myself and my husband earned around £16,000 per year each and with 1 car, a mortgage on a tiny 2 bed flat and occasional nights out etc, we pretty much broke even, Thats in the west midlands, where it would cost approx £500 to rent a flat like ours. Since being on maternity leave, we have really struggled and I have to go back to work full time, with 4 month old baby. I don't really understand the costs/charges etc you refer to, but it does sound like its tough in Greece. This country also its fair share of horrible human beings- although Mainland Europe do not generally have the same consideration for animals as we do in the UK, I believe our animal protection legislation is among the most comprehensive in the world.

You sound like you have the detemination to make a better life for yourself and your son and I wish you lots of luck. But if I was you, I would strongly consider some of the comments made and whether you would be better off financially using your current qualifications (or even working in a supermarket- I applied, as I would earn just as much and would get a discount off my groceries!). Then, once you are settled, have saved some money and your son is in school, perhaps, you could look at re-training. I would re-iterate that it can be a heart-breaking career if you are too sentimental about it (I hate to think I have "hardened" to the death and cruelty that I see, but in a way you have to), but it is incredibly rewarding too.

[/quote]

Ιt is really comforting sharing my feelings with so nice people here...My parents or friends don't want to talk about my decision at all.
Yes, I am determined to come even if I have to clean houses in order to settle down and study.
Since I have been to the university already, maybe I should look around for jobs with the qualifications I currently have in order to get settled as you said..cause if I struggle...both my pets and child will suffer and it not fair..If I was alone I wouldn't mind much..
Are there any affordable areas around London (Essex for example) that I can find a place for around 400ppm?Or do you know what is the lowest rent I can find in a one bedroom house absolutely anywhere(safe)in the UK?I was looking through estate agencies but it seems they have more expensive houses than adverts in Loot etc..

As about the bad part of the job...I believe being rewarded eases the pain off a little bit

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Tracy Windler RVN — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 19:25:35 GMT

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Katerina Kartsona — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:14:26 GMT

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"]

Katerina - if there's one consistent theme on vetnurse.co.uk, it's that vet nurses in the UK aren't paid very well either...sad but true.

[/quote]

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Mark Hedberg — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:21:20 GMT

Katerina - if there's one consistent theme on vetnurse.co.uk, it's that vet nurses in the UK aren't paid very well either...sad but true.

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Katerina Kartsona — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:47:34 GMT

[quote user="VNsmac"]

Hi Katerina

Having read through all the posts (good and bad), i get the feeling you're not really sure what you want to do, you just feel that you need to create a better life for yourself and your child. I can tell you are very passionate about working with animals but i'm not sure you fully realise what that entails. I have two children myself and i work full time as a VN and it is a contant struggle trying to maintain a happy, stable home life whilst also trying to commit fully to a demanding, sometimes emotionally and physically draining work life. I'm lucky in that i've got a supportive partner and family to help me out but i still feel i have no work/life balance. The fact that you are prepared to move over to the UK with just your young child and throw yourself into a new career is very brave, but i think you need to seriously consider why you want to work with animals, i'm not going to repeat earlier posts detailing what the job involves but i would say you need to ask yourself if love for animals is enough or would you not be better to follow your original chosen career path and look at the options open for you in the UK. As a student you will probably be entitled to benefits but i think you need to explore other places to live, the south/south east is normally a much more expensive place to live than wales, the north, etc. Rented accommodation with animals is available but you will need to be prepared to pay more per month and unless you have a lot of savings in the bank then i would forget about buying a house, most nurses - unless they have a partner with a good job - don't own their own homes, our wages dont tend to allow for it.

You have done some research into studying veterinary science/nursing which is good and you seem to have plenty of experience but i have some concerns over some of the views you have expressed, i feel you may be a bit too emotional and sentimental about animals. One thing we have to be is open minded, animals may be neglected out of ignorance or we may see deliberate cruelty but we have to be professional - we advise and try to educate clients we don't push our views on them.

Anyway good luck in whatever you decided to do.

[/quote]

thank you for your reply..

I adore both music and animals...On the music field I get only high satisfaction...not a salary to live and I don't feel I am doing something improtant as animal I fostering ...
The animals mean so much to me that I would love to gain experience on how to treat them...I would have loved to fully understand how their body works and learn more about exotic animals as well...I found a rabbit on the street 2 years ago and I still haven't found a qualified vet that know a lot about rabbits...But...on the other hand...I may spend 4-5 hours cleaning and feeding strays or my animals...but at the end of the day...I have a bitter feeling for the ones that are still on the street...others that I see on my facebook page ...Greece is a disgusting place to live if you love animals...And I don't know if working with them will leave me more of a satisfaction feeling ...or pain.I feed around 55 strays every day...with cold or rain..
I will give it a try and I hope everything will be ok..That is why I shared thoughts and emotions here...cause I wanted to learn as much as possible about this field.

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

VNsmac — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 11:16:36 GMT

Hi Katerina

Anyway good luck in whatever you decided to do.

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Charmaloo88 — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 07:34:51 GMT

As mentioned before, things are not what they used to be over here. Flattered that you think so highly of us Brits but you obviously didn't spend a lot of time in South London!! I'm in my mid 20s, I lived alone for a year but was forced to move back in with my mum because I couldn't afford it. I'm qualified, paid in the better end if the pay scale for RVNs but lived in a tiny one bed flat and my rent ALONE was £800 not including bills...and that was cheap!!!! Maybe another option would be looking at training practices that offer accommodation?? Other than that I can really see you struggling I'm afraid.

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Katerina Kartsona — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 06:50:11 GMT

[quote user="ginny"]

The benefits system in the UK is changing. I think you need to look at the governement website. Although we do not have the same financial issues as Greece, we are still in recession. We can no longer afford to give money away. I think you need to check this in greater detail. There are a lot of people who no longer think people should be allowed to just come to the UK to claim benefits. We simply can't afford it. I understand that you want to try to find a new life for your son but I think you need to look at working there rather than claiming beneftis. Future employees will prefer that too. That might mean doing a job to start with that you don't really want to do but will bring some money in. Get settled then look into the veterinary profession again.

My family have been "credit crunched" temporarily out of the UK. We are living in Australia as my husband is a kiwi by birth. However, we are working here. We will not get any benefits fron the Australian government.

In the UK you might be entiled to child benefit at some point but i'm not so sure about the rest. I'm not sure what the 12 pounds is either.

Good luck with what you decide to do

[/quote]

yes hun, I have already looked at these issues already.The only reason I want to come back is that for me is a far better place and the reason is the people.The are educated, nice, polite...nothing to do with my country.I don't rely on the benefits ..but the way of life and opportunities cause all countries do have problems and we don't know if things will be far worse in a year for example..
I reply on the way UK people are raised...they thing differently ...you have such a better structure ..
Here, they finish school with average grades unless they are rich to go to a fantastic college that costs at least 10,000 a year.
So, to avoid confusion...I come to work and study and earn as much as possible to have a better life for me or my child...there is no way I am coming to be on benefits and sit all day.Even in the past,there was a time that I was working many hours per day,6 days per week,only to get 20 pounds more than what I would have earned if I was not working at all! And it was just a job in a store back then...:)

I want to my child to be educated, not in cafeterias of day like 90% Greek kids do.....here they all rely on parents and live with them until the age of 40...and some men,maybe forever if they don't have a family on their own (where in many cases they stay at home with mum and their wife too...)
I am suffocating here ...:)

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

ginny — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 23:07:01 GMT

In the UK you might be entiled to child benefit at some point but i'm not so sure about the rest. I'm not sure what the 12 pounds is either.

Good luck with what you decide to do

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Sal the 1st — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 22:32:17 GMT

[quote user="Katerina Kartsona"]

[/quote]

I am not sure what the £12 is but that is a figure you may wish to double check. I am going to be really honest here and say I dont know how I feel about the rest of your post

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Katerina Kartsona — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 20:26:03 GMT

[quote user="Tracy Windler RVN"]

What is an internet troll?!

I am a little bit sad that you feel your country is not where you want to be anymore. Surely if all the young, hardworking, educated people leave a struggling country, it will only fall deeper into recession? Its very judgmental of me and I don't know what I would do in the same situation, but it does bother me a little.

Also, can you really just come to the UK, enrol on course and claim UK loans, grants, housing benefit/childcare etc? I looked at studying Veterinary medicine in mainland Europe (Czech Republic, I think), as it is more accessible and cheaper (tuition and living), but I would not be funded by their government in order to do that, they run the course in English as it brings revenue to the Universities/Country. Just another angle to consider!

[/quote]

Υes, if we all leave there will be more problems but I can't just sit here and try to survive.I can't afford paying so much money (around 450 every 2 months - for having an e-shop)and having to pay even for a simple blood exam.Last May I earned around 30 euros.Everything else went to the goverment...and at the end of the tax year...I will have to pay the 23% of that 30 euros..I mean, even if you earn 10 euros or 1000 euros...you still pay 450e every 2 months.In the UK it is 12 pounds per month..And that is just an example..
They are also asking us to pay a huge amount of money to eliminate the government debt.People that own a house can pay even 1000-2000 euros..and all bills come much more expensive.In February, electricity will be 40% more expensive.
If I don't plan a better future my kid will also be miserable.Greek schools are simply awful.I remember that in chemistry we only did 1 lesson...all other days the tutor would sit on his desk(not on the chair)and talk about football.Parents knew, teachers knew...none ever did anything.And since we were 13+ we didn't have the maturity to understand what damage this will cause in a few years...Just a couple of years before I finish school we were learning the ABC's in English language...If I didn't do private lessons...I wouldn't be able to do many things that I achieved until today.
Back in 2000 when I was in the UK where I stayed for 4 years as I said, I had benefits when I needed them.I think you are entitled to them from the 3rd month after you come to your country.
I know the way of life in the UK and I adore British people so I wouldn't be tempted enough to try another country that may be better or worse...unless I knew Swedish...cause I heard it is the best country to live :) Since I have a child I won't experiment to the unknown.
Basic wage in Greece is around 450 euros and you need at least 600-1000 to live.So, if you don't have someone helping you, you die.We have an enormous amount of people that came here illegally and all companies prefer to employ them as they work for very little money and no insurance.
I have never found a job in Greece that pays insurance apart from once!In the UK, they would even pay that even if I was distributing leaflets...

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Tracy Windler RVN — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 20:06:53 GMT

What is an internet troll?!

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Katerina Kartsona — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 17:08:53 GMT

[quote user="Hondaracing"]

I think you need to walk before you can run.

You thinking of coming to england i believe? You need to focus on that and also getting a house or flat etc along with finding care for your child and there are just so many things you need to sort out when moving to a different country. If not organized properly you will burn yourself out .

Please dont think we are trying to stop or discourage you from pursuing you goal but we also dont want you to burn yourself out in the process

[/quote]

I was living in London for 4 years.I will take your words seriously and I will take things slowly...I can't organize everything perfectly...I couldn't have even if I was there already...I will take one step each time..I will firstly think of childcare/work possibilities-earning my living and then I will see my options.Cause even if I start when my child is 5 instead of 2 that he is now..it will not be much of a difference..I want to be committed to whatever I do and maybe I can improve my grades before I decide.Cause my love for animals is far too strong and maybe I should look for the human medical field rather than something that maybe in a few years it will destroy me emotionally.I wish I could live 100 years to achieve everything I love... I watched the last "twilight " today...I wish I could live forever like them ;) Thanks for your precious advice and time to reply to me

Re: Single mum wants to be a veterinary nurse............

Katerina Kartsona — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 10:26:42 GMT

[quote user="Selena (Hypnorm) Carnell VN"]Realistically - you will be required to do night shifts and on calls for veterinary medicine, how will you be able to cover child care through the night? I now many of the vets were on hospital Rotas within the teaching hospital. I am a veterinary nurse and I have child care from 7.30 to 6 pm weekdays only. But I work from 8am till 7.pm or later some times. Plus weekends. I manage as I have freinds and family who help. Veterinary courses are over subscribed you really have to be top of your game to get in, and having loads of experience of working in different environments with animals. It is not a well paid job, being a vet or a veterinary nurses .. All the vets I know have huge university dept to pay off.and cannot find a job. You may have to deal with cruelty cases and be diplomatic... Even through the best caring owners who do it out of ignorance .... Not abuse. It will be hard work, even without a child. Good luck in your choice. If you go down the vn route to become a vet you will be studying for near on 6 yrs!

[/quote]

Τhank you for your kind message...All day I am dealing with cases on my own and I am paying so much money to my vet...I would love to learn and I hope to manage it with the child...I hope it would take only 6 years as you said but I have 10 on my mind...I don't care if I will be 10 years older when I finish cause it would be better being at that age as a vet rather than what I am now.
My vet also warned me that one of the worst parts of the job is usually the owners...