RSPCA

Re: RSPCA

Donna France — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:20:08 GMT

Hi, I worked at the RSPCA Putney hospital.

I loved every minute (and only left because I was homesick and moved back up north). The workload is very busy and hectic but it was always suprisingly organised.

I did my training there and can say it was great, the students do get to do and see loads and usually rota'd around the hospital so all areas are covered.

Most of the 'big' hospitals are 24 hrs so you would be doing a night shift, if my memory serves me right (it was 6 years ago) it was one in 6-7 weeks, week of 9pm-8am then a week off. other shifts included 8-5, 12-8, 1-9 plus weekends.

Im not sure if you are qualified or not but the hospitals have staff nurses for each area, eg theatre, wards, strays which is like a mini head nurse in each area. each staff nurse was then assigned a group of nurses to mentor and look after.

I agree with the frustrating part of the clients not been able to afford treatment but on a whole most clients were extremely grateful.

hope this helps, im sure there is much more to say but I cant think at the minute.

Donna

Re: RSPCA

Nick Shackleton — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:41:21 GMT

Have you considered the Blue Cross or PDSA

Re: RSPCA

emmiemac — Thu, 14 May 2009 17:25:07 GMT

I worked for the RSPCA at their birmingham hospital, its where i did my training. I left when i qualified as i wanted to travel overseas but since returning i have gone back a few times as a locum so it cant be that bad!

Its hard work, very busy and sometimes it can be very frustrating, especially dealing with clients that cant afford or dont particulary care about treatment for their animals.......

however it can also be a fantastically rewarding and extreamly interesting. You get to see a wide variety of cases and as a nurse you are given lots of opportunity to do hands on stuff...bloods, drips, dentals, xrays and other schedule 3 work.

I think most of the RSPCA hospitals work 24 hours so you would probably have to do nights at some point.

Is there a particular hospital you're interested in working at?