Where are all the locum Vets and Nurses???!

Re: Where are all the locum Vets and Nurses???!

SmegSlayer — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 00:06:15 GMT

I am a locum nurse (RVN) based in Cambridge and cannot get a job as nobody wants part time. i am a full time student and can only do 16-20 hrs a week and am busy organising and gathering data for my dissertation over the summer so can still only do part time even though the academic year has ended.

Re: Where are all the locum Vets and Nurses???!

Kate Lander — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 16:55:41 GMT

Hi,

I wonder if the problem is also due to the fact that many locums are now self-employed and do not use agencies?

I've been locumming for nine months and have always found myself enough work just via word of mouth and sending out CVs, and I don't travel far- an hour max. Despite many phone calls and messing about, I've never actually got a job via an agency.

As a previous HVN, I had a reserve of similar 'friendly' locums which we called on when necessary and that worked very well. I think the lesson here is that if you get a CV or call from a locum enquiring about work, don't let them get away!

Kate

Re: Where are all the locum Vets and Nurses???!

Jo Mackenzie — Sun, 20 Jul 2014 23:44:29 GMT

I'm a locum RVN and although based in the north of Scotland I travel anywhere in the UK as long as accommodation is provided (and a contribution towards travel costs is always an extra incentive)! I also prefer shorter-term jobs (3 - 4 weeks max, especially if far from home) Currently booked up until the middle of September so probably of no use to you at the moment, but feel free to send me a private message on here and I can give you my contact details for future if you like :)

Re: Where are all the locum Vets and Nurses???!

Johnathan Prior — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 19:41:19 GMT

When I became a locum I was given a choice between 50 practices to get me started. Are any of the above looking for someone for kent or London?

Re: Where are all the locum Vets and Nurses???!

Selena Carnell — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 16:23:42 GMT

we have been advertising for part time staff both a vet and vn but no response, a few students but we don't have the hours available to employ a full-time staff member at the moment! One turned us down because we wouldn't let her bring her dogs to work... we are small and don't have the room really.

Re: Where are all the locum Vets and Nurses???!

SuzyM — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 12:46:21 GMT

Yep, it's the same in equine practices too - we have had real problems trying to find REVNs to fill our full time permanent vacancy (nice area in the cotswolds, competitive salary, interesting & varied duties etc, although no accommodation). I was naive enough to think equine positions were rarer and we would find a nurse, but had to give the job to a foreign new grad vet due to lack of applicants, and now after just 2 months she has found a vet job and we begin again...

Re: Where are all the locum Vets and Nurses???!

Sparky — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 14:25:41 GMT

Having exactly the same problem....we only recently within the last month found out we need a locum so its been really hard!!! There are just no locums out there!!! a few days in August we are so short we have 2 nurses.....when we usually have 5!!

The boss and I have been pulling our hair out!!

Re: Where are all the locum Vets and Nurses???!

Alana Dent — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 10:30:36 GMT

Hi, we are based in Milton Keynes, Buckinghmashire.

I understand I am asking at the busiest time of year, but it just seems there is no one. I have been offering any hours that people would like to work, just to cover shortfall.

I ask for RVNs but would be happy with listed too, they are just as good for the job!

If you know anyone that would like to travel to the sunny Milton Keynes I would really appreciate it. We can put them on payroll, or self employed. Im happy to pay any which way! :)

Thanks for your help!

Re: Where are all the locum Vets and Nurses???!

Sal the 1st — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 10:11:00 GMT

well it is the time of year when everybody wants to take holidays - when I was doing locums this was my busiest time of the year. The rule with getting locums is 'if your not fast you are last' - the good ones can be booked months in advance. Shortage of permanent staff? - well the ones that are being trained currently over half of them will go into either teaching the next lot or into other jobs that take them out of practice ie repping /insurance etc or they have worked out they get better paid as a locum. Its not like this is a new problem its been a ticking bomb for years and until something is done it will only get worse.

I can ask around for locum nurses but most people who come via me are not agency and will either ask to go on payroll or will be self employed- which is not accepted at some places and some of them will be listed rather than registered.

Re: Where are all the locum Vets and Nurses???!

molladog — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 10:05:11 GMT

Where are you based ?

Re: Where are all the locum Vets and Nurses???!

The Pikachu_Collector — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 10:01:09 GMT

I think that it depends largely on your location. There appears to be a large number of nurses in the East Midlands, with very few job opportunities. One way around it is to employ students, however, it is difficult if you do not have the staffing level to train said student.

I don't know why you are struggling - the accommodation opportunity is excellent as not many practices offer that - I locumed and could only travel a short distance due to expensive B&B's.