Feeling dejected/disrespected at work :(

Re: Feeling dejected/disrespected at work :(

Nicola Smith — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:04:50 GMT

I think everyone hastheir own role in practice but as you are training and also struggling to complete your NPL you should be helping with these procedures. It sounds like the practice you are at does not appreciate the RVN qualification and does not utilise their staff effectively - everyone needs distinct roles and duties and all are very important but everyone is not the same - if they think thats the case are vets the same as nurses?? I am not being disrespectful but by putting people in charge of procedures they are not trained in esp xrays will mean they cannot complete their duties, patients may not receive the best care and health and safety regarding xrays may be compromised.

I would put alist up of what you need to complete for your NPL and speak to your CC, or college if no luck in practice as completeing your NPL is vital - if they are not willing to help could college arrange secondment to another practice to get the tricky bits signed off. It may be if you are not going to be utilised in the practice you are in you may need to look around for elsewhere when qualified. Sit tight, get your qualification then see what happens.

Re: Feeling dejected/disrespected at work :(

SuzyM — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:50:15 GMT

The RVN qualification is actually quite useful... I would definitely say changes are necessary to the way it is taught, which is why we have decided to cease being a TP for now, we are seeking qualified, registered nurses where we used to employ lay staff because it is becoming increasingly difficult to teach each new staff member every last element of the job, e.g. to have someone who can arrive on their first day and know how to x-ray safely, scrub up for surgery, read a blood smear etc allows everyone more time to get the job done. Anyone striving to acheive their qualification is to be commended, despite the conditions in which they currently have to train.

Re: Feeling dejected/disrespected at work :(

Sal the 1st — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:40 GMT

[quote user="Eppy"]

Hi everyone,

just looking for some advice really. I work at a mixed practice in the small animal department, I am in my 2nd year training and due to qualify this year, have been working in practice 5 years and have a lot of experience. We have 2 degree students and myself just now, I'm the only one doing NPL. We have 1 qualified nurse, a kennel assistant and the rest nursing assistants. Basically recently I'm feeling a bit pushed aside (not due to other students) and feeling a total lack of respect for myself an the RVN qualification, I feel a bit like what's the point in me studying so hard and gaining a qualification when everyone else does the exact same job as me? Sorry for the rant just feeling very dejected, there was an issue today with the kennel maid assisting with x-rays when myself and the 2 other students were available and I had already asked to do this for NPL, none of her duties were finished and it caused a lot of trouble within the department. A meeting was held with one of the partners who classed us all as the same; while I understand we are equal as people I feel that the qualifieds and trainees deserve some respect and support for all the work we have to do.

I'm not even sure what I'm getting at, basically just needed a rant and feeling so down just now :(

Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks for reading.

PS. I have complete respect for our unqualified nurses as they have a lot of experience but feel that the respect is a one way thing :(

[/quote]

Do you work in a practice where there is a clear demarcation of duties? or is it like most places that everybody just mucks in and gets the job done?

When you say yourself and the other two students were available, were you all immediately available ? or was it that you could have been available in a short time? ie was it a case where the vet just took the first immediately available person.

Had you asked specifically for this case if you could use it for your NPL or was it just any radiography case - in which case if the vet was busy and just wanting to get the job done could they have forgotten ?

When you say there was trouble in the department because duties hadnt been finished was that because others felt people werent working together efficiently as a team to get things done ie if there were 3 of you available and not doing anything in particular was it felt that the 3 of you could have taken on some of the kennel maids workload to get the job done or was it because people felt it wasnt their job to undertake certain tasks?

Not making excuses or blaming anybody just looking at ways this might have happened in a busy practice

Don't take it to heart too much, sometimes things do feel like they are unfair but sometimes when you look at the possible reasons for something happening it isnt that clear cut. Maybe the kennel maid is feeling the same way having been taken away from her duties, especially if she knew it was giving her extra work and she would be struggling to get her jobs done?

If you are getting pushed for time finding cases for NPL and this is causing you concern could you discuss this with your HN or one of the partners and they may be able to help you?

Respect for the RVN qualification - I dont really understand that bit if I am honest ? I feel that we are all equal both as people and as employees in that we are all working towards a common aim.

I hope things work out for you

Re: Feeling dejected/disrespected at work :(

Johnathan Prior — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 22:42:15 GMT

Speak to your college, if your work aren't giving you the time, especially for study/NPL then they will have a word with your employer. Had the same feeling when I wasn't allowed time to study for exams and my college had a word which got me the time I needed to qualify in January :)

Re: Feeling dejected/disrespected at work :(

Tanya Traill — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 19:58:49 GMT

I think you may need to think about moving on to somewhere that respects their qualified staff and students. I,m sure kennel assistants have their place but in my opinion it should be a student or qualified nurse assisting the vet with x-rays. Especially when you needed these x-rays for your NPL. I,m a student and I know how it feels to be looking for cases. Also do you have anyone you can talk to about your concerns for example clinical coach/head nurse or even a tutor at college will listen to your concerns.

Re: Feeling dejected/disrespected at work :(

Helen Tottey — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:40:13 GMT

Have you spoken to the Head nurse/Practice manager about this.