WVS Work

Re: WVS Work

denise laughlin — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 12:18:09 GMT

Hi Steph, sorry for the delay!

Thanks- we should have another one coming in July so keep your eyes peeled :)

We source different types of short term placements for VNs, depending on whether the charity we're supporting has a vet on site or not. For some charities we put together teams of a couple of vets and nurses and send them over together to carry out an intensive neutering campaign over a week or two. Both vets and nurses for these placements need to be confident and competent clinically, able to work unsupervised while being capable of coordinating and keeping track of whats going on. You'd be great on something like this I'm sure! Its usually hectic but a great chance to really help out while making new friends and grabbing a bit of sunshine. There is nothing better than grabbing a beer, watching the sunset, getting to know your team after liberating 20 or 30 street cats of their bits :)

For charities that have no onsite vet staff, some will still be delighted to welcome nurses who aren't accompanying vets, the clinical work may be limited if there are no routine neuters to be done but there is always a need for help in the shelters with nursing inpatients, working, bathing and (really important!!) socializing nervous animals to help them become more suited to rehoming. Many of the European charities operate like this as there is not a shortage of clinically competent vets in Europe, like there is in many of the developing countries that we work in so often for small charities they can organize a discounted rate to bring their animals to the local vet which can be more cost effective than employing a full time vet team.

If you have large animal experience, perhaps you'd be interested in donkey sanctuaries? We support couple in Greece who love having nurses, especially ones who can help teach students a little.

Feel free to check out our website and let me know if there's anything your interested in :)

Denise

Re: WVS Work

Stephanie Barnard-Horne RVN CertFN MBVNA — Tue, 27 May 2014 22:32:04 GMT

Hi Denise!

Great article! I am very keen to do volunteer work during my annual leave. I am based in Kent so short placements in Europe would be fantastic but honestly I would be willing to volunteer just about anywhere. I am an RVN with have 4 years experience and currently run the theatre's in a large hospital. I am very confident working on my own, enjoy pressure and have a wide range of clinical skills in small animals and an increasing amount in large animals.

Steph

Re: WVS Work

chazabell08 — Tue, 27 May 2014 16:46:15 GMT

Hi Denise, Thanks for your reply. I have been qualified for 6 years and I have plenty of experience at working under pressure. I currently work in a veterinary hospital and I also do locum work for vets now. I am particularly interested in helping with the neutering of cats if that is at all possible. Thanks for your help. Katie

Re: WVS Work

denise laughlin — Tue, 27 May 2014 16:12:44 GMT

Hi Rachel- do you have any exotics experience? There are charities out there dealing with 'exotics' (just wildlife when you're in an exotic country) but a certain level of expertise is generally required. If you are an experienced exotics nurse, fire over your CV- I can certainly find you somewhere that could utilize that experience. If it is experience your after, most of the wildlife places will charge you to cover their resources, they must cover the cost of hosting you while they train you up. Keeping tabs on that is essential. I have some places on the books who will drop the accommodation fee if you can commit long enough to give back what you've gained in experience. Ie if a charity spends a lot of time training every volunteer who then leaves, they never gain anything- if you can stay and help to train the next volunteers or continue helping the project to grow, they will be happy to support you.

If it is experience you're after, have you looked into seeing practice at an exotics clinic or volunteering at a local zoo?

Do let me know if you have any more questions or would like to drop me a line at denise@wvs.org.uk

Cheers for now,

Denise

Re: WVS Work

denise laughlin — Tue, 27 May 2014 16:04:52 GMT

Hi Katie- great to hear you're keen to volunteer, its such a fun experience :) We do have the odd short term placement for RVNs. Generally these will be for intense neutering campaigns where the nurse needs to be clinically very experienced and independent, getting veins, intubating without assistance and working under lots of pressure, often in field conditions. So far this year I've placed short term nurses in Greece, Spain, Croatia and even Malaysia!

If you've only a week off work, Europe is probably most practical but obviously the further afield you go, the more options there are and depending on your area of expertise and interest we can make inquiries with our supported charities- with 600 on the books, I can normally find something fun to spend your annual leave on :)

Re: WVS Work

Rachael_24 — Mon, 26 May 2014 16:58:10 GMT

Hello,

I would be very interested in a volunteer position working with exotic animals.

Thanks

Rachael

Re: WVS Work

chazabell08 — Mon, 26 May 2014 14:25:05 GMT

Hi, I would like to express my interest in volunteering my veterinary nursing skills to your organisation after hearing about the work you do from a colleague of mine. I can only volunteer for a week due to working full time. Is there opportunities to volunteer for a week or does it have to be for a longer period of time? Kind Regards, Katie Goy RVN