is the grass actually greener??

Re: is the grass actually greener??

Catherine Goulding — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 17:42:46 GMT

just bear in mind that other jobs still have their problems, just in a different way. Good luck wiht whatever you decide to do.

Re: is the grass actually greener??

AMANDA CURTIS — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 15:05:17 GMT

To be honest I don't feel the profession will ever really progress much further than where it is, we are limited on what we can do and have control over.

We don't get really any benefits, the wage is another big part of it, I knew going into vet nursing that the pay wasn't fantastic but It would be nice to earn more. I also can't see myself still in practice doing full time vet nursing when i'm older and I don't want to end up behind a desk or rep'ing.

In a nut shell I want a change, I love nursing but I've wanted to do this for a long time and have never been in the position to go back to uni but now I am and I think if I don't do it now i'll really regret it!

Re: is the grass actually greener??

helen lloyd — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 14:04:22 GMT

Hi there

I've just stumbled across this! I considered midwifery a few years ago, that was until I had my daughter and realised what was involved with the mum and then thought again! It's something I think you really need to research and think about before leaving vet nursing.

Just wondering what is about the vet nursing that makes you want to change?

Re: is the grass actually greener??

AMANDA CURTIS — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 16:20:15 GMT

thank you all so much for your advice!

I've got a few open days coming up with universities and have been thoroughly looking into all my options

I really appreciate some advice from people who used to be vet nurses, I've been thinking about doing this for a long time and I think its the right thing for me.

Re: is the grass actually greener??

Catherine Goulding — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 06:50:58 GMT

Just make sure you do your research about the different roles and bands; the trust where I am doesn;t have assistant practitioners in theatre as it didn;t work; you have to do the ODP course to climb the ladder. Any AP's that were trained are still only on a band 3 pay; whereas an ODP is a band 5.

Re: is the grass actually greener??

Nick Shackleton — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 21:58:26 GMT

Plenty of opportunities to study whilst you work. When I was at in doing foundation degree there were trainee assistant practitioners from all sorts of backgrounds of healthcare. Including physiotherapy, imaging, theatres, wards, occupational therapy etc... Usually band 3 whilst training £16,271-£19,268 and then on qualifying it's band 4 £18,838-£22,016. Check out NHS careers website. Www.nhscareers.nhs.uk There also pharmacy where much like with VN training it's on the job training and undertaking a NVQ in pharmacy practice. Good luck with what ever you decide. Plenty of options. Most post include help and support to profess onto next banding through further training whether that's in house or undertaking further qualifications. But may be a bit of a wait

Re: is the grass actually greener??

Catherine Goulding — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 21:26:10 GMT

Unfortunately hospitals don't offer work experience anymore, you have to bite the bullet and go for it. It was extremely scary to leave the comfort of my teaching job to go back to university, but I'm so glad I did. I got a bursary to help with retraining, but it wasn;t a salary and being a theatre assistant may be the way around it as you can be seconded by the hospital to train as an ODP, but there may be a waiting list at your chosen hospital. Training for either course is more on the job than at uni; I only attended uni for approx 6 weeks of each year so that may help with your decision. If I can help any further, please just ask

Re: is the grass actually greener??

Nicola Smith — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 21:28:44 GMT

I would like to retrain and midwifery would be my first choice unfortunately i just couldnt afford to not be working :( Best of luck with whatever you decide x

Re: is the grass actually greener??

Nick Shackleton — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 21:12:36 GMT

I made the switch 4 years ago after 13 years in nursing. I work in radiography as an Assistant Practitioner. Which is basically half a radiographer. What I liked about this role it offered me full time work as well as gaining a qualification, with the option of progression into further education and therefore extending my role. There are so many roles available within the NHS whether you decided to train by attending full time university education or by working and studying part time. Probably best to have a look at NHS careers website. I choose an area of veterinary nursing that interested me and I was passionate about. Good luck. Any questions feel free to ask away

Re: is the grass actually greener??

Jacqueline Gallacher — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 20:57:31 GMT

Hi I know four vn's who made the change to human nursing. some 10 years ago some less, some of them miss the contact with the animals, but not one of them has gone back to vet nursing. good luck

Re: is the grass actually greener??

AMANDA CURTIS — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 18:45:24 GMT

thanks for your reply Catherine!

Did you find it quite scary the prospect making the change? And did you go out and get any experience in any hospitals before you made any decisions or did you just go for it?

I had originally looked into ODP, I think it is something that I will have another look at, if I am honest the only thing that very slightly put me off was that I can't under take the course near my home in Swansea, I would have to travel to Cardiff, which would be quite a trek for me.

I'm planning going to some open days at university so I can talk to the midwives there and get some student input also.

All the above perks that you've mentioned is also part of why I want the change, I just don't think we get enough for the future with vet nursing, hopefully at some point that might change, but I imagine it will be a long time coming!

Really appreciate your input!

Re: is the grass actually greener??

Catherine Goulding — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 18:17:54 GMT

hi Amanda,

I am retraining as an operating department practitioner and am due to qualify in 2 months time. I have loved every minute of my training and have a job lined up already (had my interview back in August). There are lots of jobs out there and I beleive there is a national shortage of midwives. there are lots of other roles out there also worth researching, it may be useful for you to speak to a registered midwife and / or a university. personally i find that midwives have a very poor idea of sterility but then they only get two weeks of scrub training before they get to scrub up for caesareans - that wouldn't be a problem for you though as you would have the background knowledge. I would say to go for it, I'm glad i changed careers, I will have much better job prospects, a better pension, better working conditions (even though most nhs workers wouldn't agree!) and i actually don't miss the ffurry patients as much as I thought I would. I hope this helps, please dont be afraid to ask me any more questions and good luck with whatever you decide to do.'