I'm stuck in a rut

Re: I'm stuck in a rut

Angiy Michael — Mon, 19 May 2014 01:24:32 GMT

CVS tend to prefer limited company or umbrella as well :-(

Re: I'm stuck in a rut

Gemma Clinch — Tue, 13 May 2014 13:09:17 GMT

I had the same decision to make last year re umbrella/self-employed. I opted for self-employment as a friend of mine had been self-employed for a couple of years and recommended me an accountant that she had used. So far I have had no problems with being self-employed, however I have found that Vets Now will not take you on unless you have your own Limited Company or if you have an umbrella....but they are the only company so far who has had a problem with this. I wouldn't suggest you do your own tax unless you know what you are doing, hence why the accountants do that for me :) Hope this helps :)

Re: I'm stuck in a rut

gemma83 — Sun, 04 May 2014 10:29:38 GMT

Thanks for the replies

I feel down at the moment and angry with myself. Have a new job lined up in march with Vets4pets and current position (CVS) made all these promises to convince me to stay plus felt very guilty about leaving as I'm a clinical coach. So i stayed and regretted it as the job hasn't changed. Contacted vets4pets but they have filled the position.

So now I'm working somewhere I don't won't to be.

Sorry needed to get that off my chest as I been so upset.

I am thinking locuming is the way to go have contacted a few recruitment agencies to see if there is work in my area (suffolk)

Only thing is - is it best to go through an umbrella company or be self employed (cos that sounds difficult)

Thanks

Re: I'm stuck in a rut

Gemma Clinch — Thu, 01 May 2014 13:54:38 GMT

Hi there - I locum and have been doing so since Sept 2013. I have a permanent base so only work locally, and my max distance has been 60 minutes. So far (hoping not to jinx myself) I have had steady work from the word go...I am self-employed so am my own boss, and I am enjoying the new challenge! If you are feeling a but bored and have itchy feet locum nursing would most certainly benefit fit you! Any other questions re locum nursing let me know - would be happy to help! :)

Re: I'm stuck in a rut

Alison Clare Hickman — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 13:37:04 GMT

Hi,

I travel locally and up to a maximumof 50-60 mins away from my home. I get plenty of work that suits me, even though I am a little restricted because I need to juggle various other plates. However, the more flexible you are the more work there is available.

I know some practices will allow locums to bring a pet with them if it means they get a reliable nurse!

Good luck.

Ali h

Re: I'm stuck in a rut

SmegSlayer — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 23:45:10 GMT

I am single with no kids or pets so quite happily swan off around the country

Re: I'm stuck in a rut

gemma83 — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 20:32:05 GMT

Cheers guys

Yeah I will have a think about locuming - only trouble would be I wouldn't be able to travel too far as have dogs. Have you guys had to travel too far for locum jobs

Thanks " src="http://www.vetnurse.co.uk/emoticons/new/Very_happy_smiley.png" />

Re: I'm stuck in a rut

SmegSlayer — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 14:16:28 GMT

[quote user="Alison Clare Hickman"]

visit parts of the country you knew existed but never got around to visiting before (can be 'interesting'...hehe).

[/quote]

I second this- my first long term locum position was supposed to be in a very nice area of West London with a shared house overlooking Richmond Park. A week before I was due to start I got a call to say that the group needed me in East London- near Stratford. I was a little concerned regarding the area, especially as I was to live in the flat above the practice. I had the best summer you could while working full time. Grew to love the characters and owners of the neighbouring shops- a proper community. Plus the transport links meant I explored London more than I have ever done before even though I had lived on the North London/Herts border for 3 years. It was a small branch and the staff and I are all still really good friends.

Re: I'm stuck in a rut

Alison Clare Hickman — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 13:13:54 GMT

Hi Gemma,

A friend of mine does dog walking and pet sitting. Here's what I know (bit vague, sorry but hope some of it is relevant/applicable)...

The insurance (public liability) is one thing to investigate as you need to be fully covered in event of any disaster...animal or otherwise! Also, if you are going to pet-sit in someone's home then there is the question of trust...so she has references and a rating/clearance of some sort from the police (don't know what that is but it's a bit like the clearance you get when working with minors...you'd need to investigate that aspect). My friend also has pet insurance that her clients can pay for if they don't have their own. This is in addition to the fees for pet-sitting/walking and means if any treatment is needed she can respond rapidy (I meant financially - of course she would respond rapidly welfare wise...). There's also the question of using your home as a business (local council red-tape?) and setting up as self-employed etc etc. Your 'sick days' are work days and taking a holiday means 'out of season' as obviously you need to be available when your clients go away... bet there's lots more 'boring bits' but am sure another poster will advise you...

Okay, that's all the boring stuff I can recall/know (vaguely) about...

The good bits: My friend loves her job and wouldn't change it for the world. Her human and furry (some scaly, some feathered) clients all love her to bits (with the exception of one parrot who calls her a very rude word whenever he sees her apparrently...lol). She likes the freedom of being her own boss.

Just a thought - have you tried locuming? I started in January and love it. Here are some reasons why...You can put all the office politics in the bin (not your beeswax); stay as long as they want you (or you want them); learn loads (everyone does things differently and so there's more strings to my bow - yay!); take the odd day off when you want (no holiday chart or Head Nurse to consult); visit parts of the country you knew existed but never got around to visiting before (can be 'interesting'...hehe).

Well, good luck! Life's too short not to experience it.

Ali h