Are there no reliable people in this profession anymore?!?!?

RE: Are there no reliable people in this profession anymore?!?!?

Sal the 1st — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 22:16:41 GMT

look on the bright side - at least they didnt start and then change their minds - so at least you didnt have the hassle or rearranging rotas, the practice didnt have the expense of buying uniforms and providing xray badges etc. For another poster I reckon you are always going to have a problem with apprenticeship students, ( and I dont mean this nastily) especially if they are paid the minimum wage for an apprentice which many of them are. They might start out with the best of intentions but once they have done it for a week or so on a couple of quid an hour the enthusiasm dries up and they are off to do anything that pays a wage they can live on - and if I am honest I don't blame them its not that far removed from slavery. An apprenticeship that pays an acceptable rate is a rarity.

I have found generally (but not always) that the more recently qualified and indeed some of the trainees seem less inclined to work some of the hours / accept some of the conditions that some of us older bods will tackle but thats just the way it is while there are so many positions available they can just pick and choose to suit themselves rather than working to suit the practice. When there are fewer positions available you tend to find people will accept less favourable conditions to secure them.

Another generalisation but I think the truly vocational nurse is a dying breed these days loyalty to the job and the practice got lost somewhere with all the 'improvements'

Its good to get feedback when asking what put them off but would it be worth spinning it around and asking them what they would like to encourage them to take the job

RE: Are there no reliable people in this profession anymore?!?!?

Ian M — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 21:25:56 GMT

if you thin back to when you may have job hunted, you may have remembered that the options don't all come up at the same time for people to make a clear choice. Often we pick and accept and maybe even start one thing, when the better one comes through. Everyone will always project nothing but total sincerity with every job they investigate and even accept, so you're never going to know it's someone's second choice. It's never something you're going to be able to detect because people are very convincing, so it's nothing you've done.

RE: Are there no reliable people in this profession anymore?!?!?

Charmaloo88 — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 20:55:12 GMT

Jeez seriously?!?! That sounds horrendous! Finding a student seems to be the easiest part for us as people seem to be fighting for a foot in the door of the veterinary profession! Interesting you saying mosy of them didn't know what a RVN did...I've found that as well, I would have thought when making a career choice or - maybe more importantly - a career change that you would really do some research beforehand.

I do have to say it makes me feel better knowing other people are suffering with this situation too haha

RE: Are there no reliable people in this profession anymore?!?!?

Louise Royle RVN CertCFVHNut — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 20:11:18 GMT

It's not just you, we have been having similar problems, clean practice, nice clients good facilities etc etc good pay, 6months advertising for rvn no aplicants at all! Decide to grow are own rvn from scratch by hiring an apprentice student rvn, 10 applicants, 2 didn't respond to request for interview, 3had no idea what a vet nurse did daily and the final aplicant that accepted the job started 5th jan, got on well with the team keen, motivated, everthing u want from a student and more. 5weeks in quits coz she's relocating to Yorkshire! No notice or apologies.Now back to the drawing board. So it's not just you, everyone is in it for their own gain, don't take it personally and I def recommend a good cardio workout, I've a punchbag thats very effective stress relief. Good luck.

RE: Are there no reliable people in this profession anymore?!?!?

Charmaloo88 — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 18:38:26 GMT

The reasons for rejecting jobs offers - and I think I have to be very careful how I put this - have mainly been 'I just realised it was the wrong time for me'. That's fine, everyone is entitled to make a decison based in your own personal circumstances and I'm trying to not put all my eggs in one basket, keep options open etc but with the RVN scene being as scarce as it is at the moment I think you automatically depend on those that say they are interested, especially when your own staff levels are so low and all you want to do is make working life easier for the team.

RE: Are there no reliable people in this profession anymore?!?!?

r-more — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 18:30:49 GMT

Have you asked them why they turned it down? I think most people who are offered a job would immediately accept (how would it look of they didn't?!), but it can be a bid decision so taking time to think about it is everyones interests. As for the locus issues, that is very unprofessional and the sort of thing that could earn someone a reputation.

RE: Are there no reliable people in this profession anymore?!?!?

Charmaloo88 — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 18:30:27 GMT

Thank you, think I just had a bit of a melt down earlier! Have just thrown all my energy into a good sweaty cardio work out and feeling much much better for it!!

RE: Are there no reliable people in this profession anymore?!?!?

nickyc — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 18:16:48 GMT

Don't take it personnally.. You obviously are the right person for the job- Dont lose faith.. If it is the practice i'm thinking of i'll have inside knowledge soon:-) So will keep my options open!

RE: Are there no reliable people in this profession anymore?!?!?

Charmaloo88 — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 17:23:50 GMT

It is a generalisation but everyone I've offered jobs to has been really keen and some even accepted...only to turn me down a week or 2 later. I'm starting to think I'm not emotionally equipped for the job as I keep taking it personally.

There is literally no nurses out there. I'm even offering to take nurses who don't want OOH just to get an extra body in to take the strain off the team. I locummed myself for 2 years before taking this job so I know how easy it is to pick and choose! I didn't mean to upset anyone, just really needed a rant as it's just soul destroying when you just hit a brick wall at every corner. Think the Locum agencies are sick of me pestering them now!

And Nicky if it is the practice you think the rota is a lot nicer now with better time off in lieu :)

RE: Are there no reliable people in this profession anymore?!?!?

nickyc — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 15:54:31 GMT

Definately a bit of a generalisation.. I have been in my current job for 18 months prior this at a previous practice for many years.. When I decided to make the leap to leave I did shop round so to speak to find the right position for me. This did mean that I attended several interviews and was offered several jobs before deciding on the practice for me and vice versa.. I think a job can look really good on paper but its not until you go to a practice and get a feel for the place to know whether its right for you or not, and hence probably what a lot of your candidates are doing.. RVN's especially are in demand.. When my current practice was looking for a new RVN it took us 6 months to find the right nurse for us, but also had several nurses turn the position down because it was not right for them, and was also let down by locum staff.. You will find the right nurse eventually, but these things do take time, and can be very frustrating, so hang in there.. To be honest I think I know the practice your working at, and did make enquires into the RVN position when I was job hunting, and for me the rota did seem brutal, and the night work was a big no no, so I continued my job hurt until I found the practice that had a very good work/life balance that worked for me. I hope you will not see this post as negative, but an honest one.. Nurses are in demand and currently have the monopoly on jobs, and so are shopping around for the best package, so I hope this post helps you to review your current package in order to find the nurses you need..

RE: Are there no reliable people in this profession anymore?!?!?

Alison Clare Hickman — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 14:06:48 GMT

Bit of a generalisation there Charmaloo88!! However it's not surprising you feel that way if you've been repeatedly let down. What's your boss doing to help you? Do you feel as a new HN you must carry full responsibility for all this? - make it not s.o.. Best to ask for help than crash, burn and make yourself poorly.

I can't offer any help other than that I am so very sorry to say but I've got my fingers crossed for you.

I suppose you've tried all the usual places (e.g. Synergy - a really helpful locum agency IMO) http://www.synergyvets.com/

Ali h

RE: Are there no reliable people in this profession anymore?!?!?

molladog — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 12:28:15 GMT

Sorry, too far for the person I had in mind, hope you find someone.

RE: Are there no reliable people in this profession anymore?!?!?

Charmaloo88 — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 12:24:50 GMT

Redhill, Surrey. We have accommodation if needed! Our shifts do involve night shifts (generally a sleeping shift) and occasional sole charge at one of our smaller branches but we can easily cover these amongst our permanent team if these shifts are unappealing!

RE: Are there no reliable people in this profession anymore?!?!?

molladog — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 12:20:40 GMT

Where are you based ?