What did people do after qualifying??

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

Maisy — Thu, 21 May 2009 07:10:03 GMT

Blimey Angiy, you're a bit of a busy bee at the moment! Good luck with the degree!

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

Angiy Michael — Thu, 21 May 2009 02:14:30 GMT

Prior to qualifying I worked in a mixed practice in South Wales and then spent 3 years in a small animal practice in Nottingham where I undertook my Pre-VN & first year. I then moved on to a mall animal & equine practice...also in Nottingham where I took my second year. I stayed for a year after I qualified during which time I started working for Vets Now at two dfferen't sites on the weekends for more experience ( and the cash of course ! ). I then left to work for PDSA as they offered lots of schedule three experience and training at the site I went to. After that I relocated to the South West, initially transferred to another PDSA and then moved to an RSPCA Clinic. I carried on working for Vets Now from qualification onwards in my free time after moving ( the only reason I don't still work regularly for them is there isn't one near me ). I left the RSPCA for a brief spell working for a pet insurance company but it wasnt my thing so went back but this time as a full-time night nurse. After that I relocated to the North West ..back to the PDSA again and then back to the dark side ( private practice ). I now work for the UK's busiest emergency clinic and in my free time I locum in the region plus work for vetfone . I have just been accepted on to an Adult Nursing course at uni this sept but plan to continue vet nursing part-time

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

Nick Shackleton — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:44:07 GMT

Only cos I had to live and work wiv you for such a long time in Smoke-on-Stench!

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

Kerry Spain — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:28:54 GMT

[quote user="Bouncyfi"]

You can be the best ever nurse in one practice and the worst in another - its all about experience!

ps Nick - I'm not sure if a Freudian slip - but staying for 6 mouths how good were those mouths?????

[/quote]

HAHAHA he's a bit special is our Nick

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

Louise B — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:00:16 GMT

[quote user="Bouncyfi"]

You can be the best ever nurse in one practice and the worst in another - its all about experience!

ps Nick - I'm not sure if a Freudian slip - but staying for 6 mouths how good were those mouths?????

[/quote]

Fabulous!!!!! Made my day

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

Nick Shackleton — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:48:57 GMT

hahahahahahaha oops my mistake

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

Fiona Leathers — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:30:00 GMT

You can be the best ever nurse in one practice and the worst in another - its all about experience!

ps Nick - I'm not sure if a Freudian slip - but staying for 6 mouths how good were those mouths?????

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

Nick Shackleton — Tue, 19 May 2009 22:15:32 GMT

Back when I did my training, whilst at college a few of the girls I was at college with were on temp. contacts ie they would have to find other employment following qualification, in a way I think this is good as it opens the door to other people who are desperate to train. In the position I had when I qualified I stayed for six mouths and then moved on. Think it depends from practice to practice.

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

albatross — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:53:21 GMT

Does anyone sign contracts to say they have to stay a certain length of time after qualifying - after all a practice has invested in you for 2+ years don't they want to keep you ?

Or do they say they don't increase the salary after you qualify in order to make you go so they can another trainee in your place ?

The TP's I'm in touch with seem to train and keep their staff but I don;'t know if that's because of a contract, or because the staff love the practices so much they stay, or because they aren't confident to strike out for a few years after they qualify.

I don't hear of many places deliberately kicking staff out after they qualify because they want to keep costs low.

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

Sammyannieantha — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:39:59 GMT

Dont you have to have alot of experiencing before locumming?Just dont want to be at the same practice forever and want to try different things to become more confident as im a 2nd yr trainee and the qualifieds do most of the clinical and surgical stuff and we are assistants to them really, so we dont get to do much. Seeing what other people have done really helps, thanks guys :) x

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

Claire Cameron — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:08:44 GMT

I left my training practice, locummed down in Surrey and Hertfordshire for a little while, then moved to Manchester and now a head nurse in a cat only clinic back home up North and loving every minute of it.

I loved locumming and recomend it to anyone, I learned so much, became a lot more confident and a much better nurse

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

zara — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:10:33 GMT

I was in my old practice for 5 yrs then once i qualified, well I should say before I got my results I started looking for a job within 2 mths I left and I now work in an opthalmology referral practice, it is so much more different and interesting.

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

bongo — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:52:10 GMT

I think Im the only nurse in my class at college who whats to be a clinical nurse, the rest just want to leave and do other stuff.

Me, I think I want to work in a referral practice/ busy hospital. I have worked so hard for the last two years and I love vet nursing I want to be the best I can be.

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

ShropshireLass — Sun, 17 May 2009 21:25:33 GMT

I left the practice I finished my 2nd year training in (I qualified in 1996) to work as head nurse at a busy mixed practice. I set up nursing clinics, learnt about things that go baa and moo. Left there to rep for 2 years then started a family, did a bit of locuming and lots of non nursey stuff for 6 years and then started back in practice 16 months ago.

Personally, if I was in your shoes I would go straight into referral practice or a charity to gain as much experience as possible. It'll definately make you a better nurse IMVHO and give you a good idea whether you want to go the diploma route or stick to first referral.

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

Maisy — Sun, 17 May 2009 21:05:10 GMT

I stayed at the practice where I trained and progressed to head nurse. The practice is pretty good at letting you develop your interests so have put me through A1 course/PHC.

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

Doolally — Sun, 17 May 2009 21:05:05 GMT

I qualified in January. I stayed where I had done my training until beginning of May, then started a new job. New job is hugely different from where I trained (much much bigger and busier), it pushed me out of my comfort zone, but if I didnt push myself I would have ended up staying where I trained forever on lower wages and less cases

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

Saskia Quinn — Sun, 17 May 2009 21:02:56 GMT

I also stayed at the practice where I qualified for a few years then I went to Vets Now and got great experience in emergency and critical care.

I am now locuming but have accepted a temporary position with PDSA

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

Mac Feather — Sun, 17 May 2009 21:00:29 GMT

I stayed at the place where I qualified for a couple of years but kept an eye on the job ads before moving to a different job with better prospects, better equipment/premises etc.

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

jan — Sun, 17 May 2009 20:45:00 GMT

Went back to the practice I worked at before training!

Friendlier, better wages, more forward looking.

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

louiseRVN — Sat, 16 May 2009 16:41:19 GMT

Once I qualified went travelling round aftrica for 4 months. I was given the oppourtunity of going back to my old practice as surgical Nurse but I decided to try another job, as I wouldn't have been doing anything different and wanted to try something new, I have spent 2 years at the PDSA where I have gained experience on schedulle 3 and nurse clinics and has made me more confident dealing with clients. I am now about to start in a new practice as head nurse which will be a different challange and am also doing the diploma (just finished first year). Its entirely upto you what you do but I felf I wanted to try something different as dippy says- the world is your oyster!

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Sat, 16 May 2009 16:37:31 GMT

Stayed a year, then went onto locum, and that was def one of my better decisions as I have seen so many things doing this and experienced things that I probably never would have too.

I am going back to my original practice next month though and have to say I am looking forward to it. It is one of the best training places I have seen(as it is a majorly busy place so plenty nursing duties) and hopefully I can let them into a few things I have learned along the way.

Re: What did people do after qualifying??

Dippy — Sat, 16 May 2009 16:28:03 GMT

Stayed a year, moved elsewhere to be head nurse, repped for 5yrs, managed a charity rehoming shelter, did a couple of non-animal related things, went back to practice and locumed for 2yrs, now settled in permanent nursing role and appreciating it for having tried other things! The world is your oyster!