Career change from RVN to NHS?

Re: Career change from RVN to NHS?

Nutty — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 12:57:26 GMT

Hi,

I changed from VN to Phlebotomist/HCA . I've been doing it now for 3 years in GP practice and its fantastic....such a wide variety of people you meet and so rewarding. I've just applied and got an interview for a Phlebotomist post in hospital but having said that I also work as a locum VN in emergency practices when extra cash needed (Christmas coming). So I get the best of both worlds

Re: Career change from RVN to NHS?

Charley83 — Sat, 21 Sep 2013 17:05:58 GMT

HI as a former district nurse now training to become a veterinary nurse - I,m doing it the other way :) Keep an eye out for trainee operating practitioners courses if that's what you want to do - some will pay for the course for you and give you a placement where you are paid, however I know up here you have to stay for 2 years post qualifying or you will have to pay full cost back to the NHS trust.

In regards to nursing I think there are loads of transferring skills however not all universities see it that way! I found human nursing a bit limited as a band 6/7 as if you wanted to change to a different area you ended up with a big pay drop to a band 5. There also pharamacists, physiologists etc if you have science qualifications.

Good luck what ever you decide.

Re: Career change from RVN to NHS?

Catherine Goulding — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 17:04:54 GMT

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_Department_Practitioners

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/operatingdepartmentpractitioner.aspx

http://www.hud.ac.uk/courses/full-time/undergraduate/operating-department-practice-bsc-hons/

some useful links for you - if you find a local university then they often have open days regularly so you can chat to lecturers about the course, it has recently changed from diploma to degree and the bursary has reduced but I'm not sure how much to. I supplement my bursary with VN work and the exams. Jobs wise, there is no guarantee of a job but there are thousands out there depending on the role you want when you qualify; I much prefer scrub. If there is anything else you need to know, just ask.

Re: Career change from RVN to NHS?

Juliet Drummond DAVN (med) RVN D32/33 — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 07:57:44 GMT

I like the sound of the ODP role Catherine. I'm going to contact UCAS to see what I need to do to be ready for next years intake. Thanks again.

Re: Career change from RVN to NHS?

Catherine Goulding — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 20:07:26 GMT

Neither my VN nor my adv diploma got me onto my course, and nothing is counted towards my training either, however I have found nothing really difficult about the course (apart from dealing with people!). We do transfusions and endoscopy and anaesthesia too, so that might be an option for you - it's basically nurse training for theatres, nurses work on wards, ODP's work in theatre. The course has recently changed to a degree so your quals will probably considered equal to A-levels, it all depends on the university. I spoke to a qualified ODP before applying to university to ensure it was the career path for me - I love scrubbing and anaesthetics so it was an ideal opportunity to do both. I get a tax free bursary to train, which isn't easy but there are other ways to do it, getting a theatre assistant job first then they send you to do your training so you get a salary all the way through training - but these roles are few and far between. There are no assistant practitioners in my theatre but there are others within my trust, especially in the cardiac labs, so they scrub and assist with pacemaker implants etc. When qualified I'll be a band 5 practitioner, the same as a nurse, with progression up through bands 6, 7 and potentially 8 if I get a matron's job. Good luck with whatever you decide to do, I certainly should have changed years ago.....

Re: Career change from RVN to NHS?

Mark Hedberg — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 19:16:59 GMT

[quote user="Juliet Drummond DAVN (med) RVN D32/33"] mental health nursing.

[/quote]

Sounds ideal - you've been working with vets, who are mad as hatters anyway!!!

Re: Career change from RVN to NHS?

Nick Shackleton — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 19:08:07 GMT

Depends really. If you happy with band 4 pay then it's on the job training plus a foundation degree. Get paid while you train. Which was the best option for me. Currently looking at further studies such as topping up to full degree or undertaking a post grad. Diploma. Just in talks with department currently. If I do post grad could end up on band 6 pay.

Re: Career change from RVN to NHS?

Juliet Drummond DAVN (med) RVN D32/33 — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 18:28:41 GMT

I'm looking at adult or mental health nursing. But I don't know if it's the best choice for me, I also love endoscopy, transfusion medicine and anaesthesia. I have been looking at technical posts, but it looks like you need an RGN degree. Thanks for your help. ;-)

Re: Career change from RVN to NHS?

Nick Shackleton — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 14:57:31 GMT

Not sure about VN cert. I know my NVQ III is worth an A level. I know some who gained VN qualification plus advanced diploma who obtained a place of radiotherapy degree course.

Re: Career change from RVN to NHS?

Nick Shackleton — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 14:54:39 GMT

I choose the role that I enjoyed most in veterinary work ie radiography. Most healthcare degrees are studied full time with placements arranged by the university. However, there are post, such as Assistant Practitioners, of which I am one. Where you work 4 days a week and attend uni one day a week. I choose this as it meant I was given a wage whilst also undertaking a qualification. All depends what you want to do? http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/wider-healthcare-team/careers-in-the-wider-healthcare-team/clinical-support-staff/assistant-practitioner/

Re: Career change from RVN to NHS?

Juliet Drummond DAVN (med) RVN D32/33 — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 09:36:36 GMT

Thanks for your replies. how did you choose what role to go for? Did you get a position first or a university place first. last question, do any of you know how many ucas points my VN cert and diploma would be worth. Cheers

Re: Career change from RVN to NHS?

A-J — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 22:56:01 GMT

ha! this could have been written by me!

Look on the NHS Jobs for ideas :-)

I'm limited due to family but am attending a uni open day to check my options and see what I think.

Good luck!

Re: Career change from RVN to NHS?

Nick Shackleton — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 22:30:08 GMT

So many options to be honest. I've been in the NHS 3 years now and am enjoying the change and challenge.

Re: Career change from RVN to NHS?

Catherine Goulding — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 20:38:11 GMT

yep, have changed direction to work as an operating department practitioner and it's fantastic, am due to qualify in April and I should have done it years ago