Head nurse in small practices

Re: Head nurse in small practices

Selena Carnell — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:38:39 GMT

i am a head nurse in a small two vet practice - and one full time rvn along side 3 parttime nurses. luckily i have bosses who listen well an value my opinion. i have to ask for more reponsibility at times.

Re: Head nurse in small practices

PolkaDotty — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 15:47:29 GMT

I agree with all of the above. I am the HVN of a 2 nurse 1 vet practice currently. Originally I started out with just myself and no other nurse and being described as the head nurse seemed daft as I was doing everything. However now that I have a second nurse on site, it helps having that distinction. I also find it beneficial as we are a 5 practice group.

Re: Head nurse in small practices

Jill Macdonald — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:57:02 GMT

I've seen lots in your position Louise - all the jobs, responsiblity and worry without the pay, recognition or authority. I echo someone else's comments - talk to your boss- you may be surpised, as they may well jump at the chance of you taking on that role.. I do hope so for your sake. At the end of the day, a practice, which is a business after all, is generally not going to offer more pay to someone unless they ask for it and justify it - I worked for a great pratice, but I still had to ask for every pay rise I ever got.

Good luck...

Re: Head nurse in small practices

Louise Royle RVN CertCFVHNut — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 13:34:15 GMT

Talk to yr Boss, i was lucky that mine realised she can't run the practice sucessfully without me and was very keen to reward my long term commitment, i'm sure yr boss will be too when they realise yr about to leave.

Re: Head nurse in small practices

Ema24 — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 09:33:01 GMT

I am that nurse also. 2 nurse and 1.5 vet.

On my part things are now getting to the point where I feel I have little loyalty left to stay. If things do not change (which I know they will not - I will never be made HVN I will just be given every duty of it with no acknowledgement of the title) then I will have to leave.

Currently about to start drawing up the pros and cons list of staying, not feeling too happy about the outcome already.

Really struggling with the idea of leaving my longterm practice...but I just can't handle it anymore.

The days are becoming fewer and further between when I can use the excuse 'but I love my client base' outweighs 'you're a fool for treating me this way'

Tough decisions are coming....sigh

Re: Head nurse in small practices

Louise Royle RVN CertCFVHNut — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 19:55:43 GMT

I am that nurse ( so to speak) I work in a 2 nurse 1 vet practice and have been there for 8 years, I worked in the role of head nurse for 5 years before getting given the official title and wage 2 yrs ago, I have to say that being the head nurse does mean the buck stops with you, it gives the vet someone with experience to ref too and pass on responsibilities but also enables new members of staff to refer to your experience and knowledge of how the surgery runs without bothering the vet.

All in all I would say that having the title and wage of HVN def made me more motivated to stay in my current job, I enjoy the extra responsibilities and clients take you a bit more seriously rather than referring to you as the receptionist! or just a nurse!

Re: Head nurse in small practices

Teri-Ann Baldwin — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 17:37:43 GMT

I do know a nurse who does all the jobs of a head nurse and isexpected to act like the head nurse but who isn't referred to as the head nurse which i think is awful. Why should someone do all these extra jobs for no recognition?

Re: Head nurse in small practices

Ema24 — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 14:59:30 GMT

I agree with you Teri and i envy you.

I feel that if the role is implied but is not actually formally given that it is taking the mick....does anyone else have this situation at all?

Re: Head nurse in small practices

Teri-Ann Baldwin — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 14:36:34 GMT

I guess every practice is different. I work in a practice where there is me and another nurse and she is the head nurse and referred to as the head nurse which is great because there's leadership and direction but as there's only two of us it also means that what i say or suggest gets listened to and all the staff can liase comfortably. But it also means that big decisions are put on to someone with more experience rather than a whole team. I think it's good if you have one experienced nurse who is referred to as the head nurse especially when the other nurse is newly qualified (which is the case in my practice).