Insight to Vet Nursing

RE: Insight to Vet Nursing

SmegSlayer — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:12:18 GMT

my experience of trying to find part time work i.e 16hrs a week while doing my forensics degree was like trying to get blood out of a stone. the general attitude was that if you are not available for 37-40hrs a week then you are not worth the time.

RE: Insight to Vet Nursing

Sophie Millar — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 09:20:25 GMT

Thank you for your replies - it is appreciated!

RE: Insight to Vet Nursing

Alison Clare Hickman — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 06:42:49 GMT

Dear Sophie,

in one word, Yes!

Detail:

Lots of practices work with a very tight number of RVN's to lay staff; an absence (planned or otherwise) can mean the remaining RVN(s) is stretched to cope and possibly work is belayed or cancelled as a result. Smaller practices suffer mostly in this manner, in my experience.

A flexible and capable locum RVN who can be called upon to come in 'at short notice like the cavalry' is always a huge bonus and would be cherished loyally. Possibly for longer stints pulsed through the year eg a regular one to two days a week to cover a holiday or sickness absence.

I have worked like this myself as a locum. I know it serves a small practice's needs very well.

Hope this helps.

Ali h

RE: Insight to Vet Nursing

Stacey1 — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 18:39:22 GMT

Hi Sophie...

These sorts of nurses would be great for my practice as sometimes we are looking for just the odd days/on calls to be covered. Feel free to contact me on here or contact my head VN on emgrandi@hotmail.co.uk

Many Thanks

Stacey

RE: Insight to Vet Nursing

Ben Ogden — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:10:41 GMT

Hi Sophie,

I think answering this question is tricky. I suppose on the level of covering shifts there will be practices that give VN's regular days off (message me if you know any!) and require those particular days covering, but I think in large it depends on the capacity the (R)VN is used in each practice.

I know at my current practice the nurses are not utilised to their full potential and you would be hard pushed to warrant a locum; I know that when we move from our house conversion vets to our purpose built hospital that may change.

I think it would be worth testing the waters and seeing if it picks up. Would be interested to be kept updated on it.