Do you have a good boss?

RE: Do you have a good boss?

Hollie Piper — Thu, 28 May 2015 13:03:46 GMT

We would like to nominate our boss Dr Angela Jones of Swayne and Partners Newmarket. She is very supportive of all training staff. She's fun and ready for a laugh (including coming to the christmas party in a feather boa!) but always professional and very respected by all the nursing team. She'll go the extra mile to help any animal, in particular ducks, chickens and hedgehogs. She's keen on us all being a good team and has an annual BBQ inviting us all to her home for food and rounders. She's an excellent boss!

RE: Do you have a good boss?

Lisa Cromie — Wed, 27 May 2015 22:58:19 GMT

My boss is a hard working man who has dedicated his life to veterinary and took over mourne veterinary clinic a long time ago! His name is Liam Quinn and he hired me 8 years ago! Throughout my 8 years he has taught me so much wirh not only veterinary nursing but compassion and communicating with clients! He has gone above and beyond to help me with my own pets and this recognition would not only come from myself but the rest of the staff, clients , my family and all of my dogs! There isn't a day where we don't have the crack and can talk about absolutely anything and still find the funny side of things even if your having a bad day! I only wish he would take some time of to enjoy life and de stress after a busy spring but I doubt he wouldn't listen ! From midnight lambings to 4am sick dogs and cats he never stops and only strives to better himself and the practice which is why he has an amazing reputation in the Mourne are! Without him I doubt I would be the nurse I am today and I thank him deeply!

RE: Do you have a good boss?

Orla McGettrick — Wed, 27 May 2015 21:57:37 GMT

[quote user="Lauren James"]

I can hand on heart say I am lucky enough to have a great boss. Steve Carter owner of Priory Vets in surrey is an independant practice with family core values at heart and this is all down to Steve himself. He really is a genuine guy with a heart of gold and supports us all. He wants all nurses to excel and supports and funds us in any work area we want to grow. . . And he really listens to us and takes our views on board.... He even makes us tea! Great Xmas parties and a giggle to work with, what more could you want from a boss! Thank you Steve!

[/quote]Agreed! Worked as a locum nurse there, Steve is a brilliant boss and because of that he has a great team

RE: Do you have a good boss?

Cat Campbell — Wed, 27 May 2015 18:26:27 GMT

Aw thanku!!!!

RE: Do you have a good boss?

Jo Ireson — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:59:12 GMT

That's so lovely to read Cat. Take some credit for yourself as well - it sounds as if you've worked really hard and stuck at it where others would have thrown in the towel. I guess George recognised a piece of coal that was ready to turn into a diamond :-)

RE: Do you have a good boss?

Cat Campbell — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:51:08 GMT

i started working for George Pate at Avalon Vets in Glasgow, a year passed christmas having had a hurrendous experience at the practice I was at. George knew I was having a rough time of it and offered me his vacancy knowing I had not yet passed my OSCES as I was having panic attacks and blackouts when I attempted them. When I started we decided I would delay my OSCES 6months to try and get some confidence back as the practice I had left to join George I had lost confidence in all my skills. George paid me and employed me as a nurse for the next 6mths and slowly my confidence grew and my next OSCE attempt I passed! George then fought for me to do my clinical coach training early and supported me through that training. At Avalon along with Julie the other RVN we run nurse clinics, take all xrays, blood samples, IVs and just get to do everything as RVNs we are allowed to do. Thanks to George and Avalon my confidence is now at a stage where I am able to start doing weekend work at an out of hours centre! I am a different nurse from 18mths ago when i started here, thanks to George taking me on and supporting me through my exams I am confident in my skills and have never been happier in my job!

RE: Do you have a good boss?

Lauren James — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:43:45 GMT

RE: Do you have a good boss?

Jo Ireson — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:26:40 GMT

I'd like to nominate my 'boss' Mini Wright at Cambridge Cat Clinic - although she'll cringe at me calling her the boss! She is so lovely to work for and I have never worked in such a lovely supportive and caring atmosphere. Mini is not only the best vet I have ever worked for in terms of her knowledge and expertise, but also her generosity, integrity and compassion. Not to mention her dedication. She started the clinic up three years ago and has worked tirelessly since then. She works at the clinic 6 days a week and covers the 24-hour on-call too. She has been known to sleep at the surgery on many an occasion in order to monitor patients throughout the night. She always pitches in and is a great team member - if the phone's ringing, she'll answer it. If the tumble drier needs emptying, she'll empty it. She deserves to be recognised as she really goes above and beyond :-)

RE: Do you have a good boss?

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 27 May 2015 15:35:56 GMT

Thanks Caz - and bumping this up as just about to email everyone ...

RE: Do you have a good boss?

caz vn1 — Thu, 21 May 2015 19:54:28 GMT

He encourages all the staff to be their best. supporting both financially by paying for cpd generously and within practice teaching and helping where he can .

He also encourages nurses to use all their skills which I think a lot of clinics don't allow leaving nurses feeling under used.

RE: Do you have a good boss?

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 21 May 2015 17:53:00 GMT

Another thought. I'm going to make a 'thanks' page on VetNurse which lists those vets who've been nominated in this thread as outstanding bosses.

RE: Do you have a good boss?

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 21 May 2015 17:42:59 GMT

[quote user="caz vn1"]The best boss I have ever worked for is Michael Gordon at Bayswater vets[/quote]

Small world. I've met Michael. Years ago when I was working for Novartis. Lovely chap.

[quote user="caz vn1"]But most importantly he truly values his nurses and shows it not only financially but more importantly in his attitude and treatment of all of us.[/quote]

What would be helpful (and this goes for all nominations) is if you could be a bit more specific with examples of things your employer does that make your practice a great place to work.

I'll explain why. I'm kind of hoping that your nominations will highlight things that people who are not very good bosses can learn from. Not everyone is nice, or can learn to be nice! So what kind of things does Gordon do that have inspired such loyalty?

RE: Do you have a good boss?

caz vn1 — Thu, 21 May 2015 17:18:06 GMT

The best boss I have ever worked for is Michael Gordon at Bayswater vets. I worked for him for 10 years and every nurse that has worked there has been there at least that long. one nurse has been there over 25 years!

He has helped many of us through personal problems and been a shoulder to cry on. But most importantly he truly values his nurses and shows it not only financially but more importantly in his attitude and treatment of all of us.

I missed working there so much after setting up my own business and 2 years on he has now welcomed me back part time to fit in with my other commitments.

RE: Do you have a good boss?

Selena Carnell — Wed, 20 May 2015 22:05:34 GMT

I have a lovely boss At Arvonia vets, Guy (61) is a partner but his efforts stand out more so. Whenever its your birthday you will always get a box of chocolates and a huge bouquet of flowers, every morning and at the end of each shift he will greet you with a kiss (really threw me when I first started working there lol!) many of us have cried on his shoulders through home life and loss of pets. He manages to get away with insulting clients and staff but this is one of his endearing qualities. Although the practice is having some difficulties after opening a new branch, he always tries to be cheerful, although there are days when we wish he would just bugger off home!

RE: Do you have a good boss?

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 20 May 2015 17:23:29 GMT

[quote user="jojofruits"]A stand out moment for me was when my horse and I qualified for the South East dressage championships but I didn't have a horsebox, they hired one for me for the weekend so that I could go and also came along to cheer and support.[/quote]

Wow. What a wonderful thing to do.

RE: Do you have a good boss?

jojofruits — Wed, 20 May 2015 14:52:09 GMT

In 20 years of being a veterinary nurse I have one boss who stood out so far above the rest, we were all so gutted when they retired and sold up. Rai and Liz Janz of Sandhole Vets in Snodland, Kent who owned and ran the practice for over 20 years and sold it when they retired about 3 years ago i think.

I have never before, or since, worked for such wonderful people, they truly looked after their staff, often going above and beyond, and as a result, their staff loved them and the place was a fabulous place to work

A stand out moment for me was when my horse and I qualified for the South East dressage championships but I didn't have a horsebox, they hired one for me for the weekend so that I could go and also came along to cheer and support.

Just wonderful people, I don't know anyone who has anything bad to say about them and I've never met a better employer before, or since. Basically, at the core of both Rai and Liz, they are lovely people. thats the bottom line :)

( wish they were all like that - there would be so much less bad feeling within the profession)

RE: Do you have a good boss?

Jill Macdonald — Wed, 20 May 2015 13:19:53 GMT

Lol, tumbleweed!

No, only joking, sure there's loads of good bosses out there!

Can I nominate myself? ;)