Re: Thinking of doing a MSc while training as a SVN...Am I crazy?

hazjemgre27 — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 23:05:14 GMT

Thanks for your reply.

I have been thinking on it since I posted this a few days ago and have spoken to a councillor, I think I would benefit greatly from a different practice. A practice that is busier and more varied. I also struggle with the fact that it is a GP, I would rather work in a hospital or go back into a charity. Unfortunately a charity I worked for previously, had to cut there funding for nurse training and were no longer accepting students, hence why I left.

I absolutely love the days that we are busy and constantly on the go, this is the kind of pressure and pace that I thrive under. Unfortunately these days are few and probably only occur once a month (if that), we spend a lot of time getting under each others feet and accomplishing very little. Previous jobs I have worked in I have been constantly busy and challenging, I guess its a big adjustment...I struggled in the beginning with working inside after spending years with an outside job!

My practice manager and clinical coach are trying to challenge me more by giving me extra duties etc. But due to my illness, and still being quite ill they are reluctant to pile it on too much,

I disagree with what you said about me being miserable because I would rather be a veterinary surgeon, that was an option I was going to take a few years ago and I am glad that I did not do it as I prefer the job aspects of a VN a lot more. I have realised my passion is animal behaviour, hence the reasoning behind the MSc/PHD.

I agree with choosing to do the diploma over the degree, I never once considered doing the degree course, as you rightly said this is a vocational course and on the job training is essential (which I love). I'm hoping next year will be a bit more interesting, it is more nurse related. All modules this year have been a simplified version of what I studied for 3 years at uni and know like the back of my hand.

I would like to point out that under no circumstances will I let an animals welfare be compromised whether it be because I am writing assignments or busy with uni/college, they will always come first. I am the first person in the practice in the morning and the last one out, if we have inpatients I am usually always the nurse that comes out throughout the night at my practice and to other practices in the group despite living the furthest away (and I work every saturday). If anything it will eat into my social life and I am fine with this, it is something I have done before and its something that I like (strangely!).

I did my BSc full-time while working 2 jobs (upto 30hrs/wk) and volunteering my mark did not suffer at all (1:1) and I quickly got promoted to supervisor at one of these jobs in an animal charity.

I will be doing the MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour (now or once qualified), with this I can go self employed, and work as a VN. I am not bothered by earning more money, I just want to do something that I am passionate about again.

Reading back on this I think I am just a huge workaholic, and maybe this job doesn't necessarily provide me with a work satisfaction?! (not sure if thats the right terminology).

Thanks for your views they have been very helpful, everyone I have spoken to has encouraged me to do it not necessarily knowing what doing a MSc will entail. I have spoken to a few college girls who have also done a degree and they are not having the same problem as me, the only difference is they have not done a science/animal based one so that may have some influence.

My councillor has recommended that I stick with everything as it is at the moment because I have been so ill and depressed and see what happens when I've had my op and the depression improves (hopefully!), it may be that I'll need to move onto somewhere busier. The MSc will still be there next year =D

Good luck with your college application, I'm sure it will be accepted and you'll be training in no time!

Thanks again

Re: Thinking of doing a MSc while training as a SVN...Am I crazy?

Charley83 — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 22:12:57 GMT

I,m a human Nurse hoping to train as a veterinary nurse just waiting to hear the verdict f the college's I applied to do the Level 3 diploma in vet nursing. Many people have said to me including vet's saying the diploma will be far to easy, you'll get bored etc. Soo far i,ve enjoyed learning no matter how simple, its all new to me. I may add I have a Bsc and MSc in Advanced Practice. The later I did whilst working full time as we had to work with a GP who was our supervisor, this involved writing essays, learning andd being constantly assessed as I learnt to be a nurse GP using a medical model, my mentor was great, very supportive and seen it fit to give me daily homework and present it back to him the next day, I was up all hours, i,ve never been soo stressed in my life.

I chose the diploma not because it "Maybe" easier but because I beleive that veterinary nursing is a practical vocation and i,m not going to help animals in need being able to write essay's I can do it already. The second reason is I can't afford another degree and its not as if i,ll get paid more.

Going by your email I feel from the words you use that veterinary nursing is probably not for you as I feel you would probably be miserable knowing you really want to be a veterinary surgeon

I know what the veterinary nurse course entails and I think it would be a struggle to juggle both but then again that's maybe the challenge you need if your finding it too easy?