Mixed pratice training

Re: Mixed pratice training

Charley83 — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 18:26:03 GMT

I,m the same love a bit of variety and having worked on farms from a young age, I asked the vet if I could go out on farm and horse calls with him and seen a lot. Assisted with field anesthesia of a horse, C-section of cow, lambing, calving and love it even got to feel if the cow was pregnant, I also watched post mortems. I love the banter with the farms. I,m hoping when I qualify I can either do some farming work along side being an RVN, get into a mixed practice or find a large animal vet to observe.

\\\\I was looking a the Harper Adams course and see that an optional module for degree is farm animal nursing

Re: Mixed pratice training

Jack Player — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 18:02:43 GMT

Thanks everyone for the help. Had hoped that nurses would be doing more hands on work there but, least will know what im getting my self into. And can still get into it by being a RVN. Thanks.

Re: Mixed pratice training

elaine elder — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 19:52:25 GMT

There is also lots of farm work in Ireland!

Re: Mixed pratice training

elaine elder — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 19:51:32 GMT

I used to work in mixed practice. I was always interested in large animal but there isnt much nursing required unfortunately. Maybe tge Animal Health Trust would be a good place to try. The majority of nurses working in equine practice in scotland are small animal nurses trained up.

Re: Mixed pratice training

Steph Smith BSc(hons) RVN — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 23:17:54 GMT

I am the sole RVN in a mixed practice and my nursing skills have never been required on a farm or livery etc. I have helped to hold the odd pet pedigree lamb which has been brought into the surgery, but that's all.

If you are really keen to work with farm animals, you might get more job satisfaction by taking some paid leave in spring to volunteer at a local farm during lambing/calving season; or perhaps start up your own smallholding at home and get some hands-on experience that way - as I'm not entirely sure how much more hands-on you would get as a RVN.

You would have more to do in a LA/equine referral practice, but I get the idea that competition for jobs in this area is quite fierce.

Good luck

Re: Mixed pratice training

Jo Mackenzie — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 19:33:41 GMT

I have worked in mixed and small practice - I am currently working in a mixed practice as a small animal nurse but am occasionally asked to help with the odd lamb that needs surgery or treatment of some kind. In the mixed practices Ive worked in the nurses do very little in terms of going out to farms etc with the vet - maybe going with them to fill out TB testing paperwork or to hold the odd horse, but usually they just get the farmers to help them out if needed. One practice had facilities to hospitalise calves and sheep, and would often do sheep caesareans and some other procedures on site, so I got a fair bit of hands on experience there, but all my training was on the job. As far as I know there isnt a specific farm animal nursing course, but I could be wrong... The new level 3 diploma has some farm and equine in it doesnt it? I would say that most mixed practices would be happy to employ a small animal nurse who is keen to learn and shows an interest in the farm side of things, and if you have a bit of farm or equine experience then bonus!

The hardest thing I find about working in mixed practice is speaking to the farmers - they all have their own words for various conditions or drugs, depending on which area of the country youre working in, and it takes ages to learn to translate! As a locum, Ive no sooner learned to understand them than Im moving on again!!

Re: Mixed pratice training

Heather Bacon — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 17:12:25 GMT

Another who is interested to find out the answer! I am about to become an SVN in a small animal practice only. I would be interested in working in a mixed practice in the future as have an equine background.

Re: Mixed pratice training

DeeleyCat — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 13:47:34 GMT

I would also like to work in a mixed practice once qualified and am currently a SVN. My background is small animal and equine - will i be required to become an EVN once I have qualified as an SAVN to enable me to find my dream job?

Again - any help would be useful!