So committed yet getting no where

Re: So committed yet getting no where

Jazmyn — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 19:32:04 GMT

Thank you all for your replies. I really do not want to give up. Its been an uphill fight so far, but I will keep plugging on.

If I could go to uni I would but unfortunately my husband is unable to work and I am the main bread winner. My income is not great but it is relied upon to pay the bills obviously. My income is pretty low so to be honest working as an ANA or SVN would probably not be that much lower than my current wage. It may even be higher.

Re: So committed yet getting no where

Jazmyn — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 19:28:26 GMT

[quote user="Jo Oakden"]

There are positions out there - we are a small animal practice in the midlands, and if you were closer we'd be offering you an interview. A dog groomer that wants an ANA possible svn position would be perfect! So don't give up!

[/quote]

Thank you Jo. Thats nice of you to say. I am in Devon so unfortunately the midlands is too far.

Re: So committed yet getting no where

Katie Mansfield — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 17:26:18 GMT

Hi Jazmyn,

I just qualified, aged 43, from uni. I was the only mature student in my cohort but the one above me had about 4 I think. It's not unheard of for ppl our age to go to uni :) I don't know where you are or if you have kids so I wouldn't want to recommend anywhere. I'm lucky in that I only live 45 mins from the RVC and an hour and a half from Middx so I had a choice. Couldn't up sticks and move cos I have 5 kids and a zoo at home! Living on a student loan hasn't been that bad and now I'm qualified I'm also locuming at the PDSA while I top up my degree to BSc.

It's a lot easier to find a VN job once you're qualified as there's a national shortage of RVNs. That was a big reason for my decision to go to uni rather than trying to find an SVN position. I didn't have any A levels so I did a year's course for the Nat Dip in Animal Management which gave me enough UCAS points for the application. That was tough cos it was full time and you can't get any financial assistance as it's not HE. That may have changed now; have a look at direct.gov under student finance.

You'd need to get some work experience under your belt before you applied for uni, I think they wanted two weeks minimum. I was lucky in that I was working unqualified and then as an SVN for 5 years before I had my first son, but I still needed more recent experience. As part of my Animal Management course I had to do some placement in an animal related working environment so I was a volunteer at the PDSA for a while. I know you've been with RSPCA but for uni it would actually have to be clinical experience you have - even if it is only in a vets cleaning kennels and equipment or watching some consults!

Have a think about it. You wouldn't be able to start until Sept next year though, but unis start taking applications now until January through the UCAS website. They all will be holding open days around this time of year too (except the RVC, which is in May). You could always apply while still looking for an SVN position in practice to do the Dip VN, you've got nothing to lose, after all you've waited 5 yrs already!

Best of luck. It's not impossible and it's certainly achievable

K x

Re: So committed yet getting no where

Jo Oakden — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 15:51:18 GMT

Re: So committed yet getting no where

Lesley M — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 11:57:22 GMT

I think (unfortunately as mature people can bring a lot of life experience to the table) it is very difficult to get an employed role as an SVN as wage costs are higher. There are however areas of the country where there are role so keep trying. I was lucky enough financially to be able to start the degree at the age of 36. I was offered the two uni places I applied for and I certainly think that Middlesex Uni, where I went, are very supportive of mature students. I am now 41 and have been an RVN for a year and a half so its definitely possible to do it at whatever age. Good luck!

Re: So committed yet getting no where

kerryfeehan — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 23:00:19 GMT

Hey,

Getting a position to train to be a Veterinary Nurse is extremely difficult and I feel more so for mature students. I had to leave my job and go to college/uni to do an animal based course whilst trying to pay the bills! Not easy on a university loan and coffee shop wages! It was through my course that I gained a work experience placement in a vets at the age of 25! Getting a foot in the door is a key step and it is most definitely a case of who you know as it was a friend of a friend who helped me get the work experience placement. After that it was just persistence and I started at the bottom and am now a veterinary nurse! Will be a RVN once papers are sorted! :) I still have copies of 20+ rejection letters from veterinary practices I contacted for a placement as I feel a sense of how far I have come. It is hard but if it is what you really want to do then persist :) best of luck x