Career change away from nursing

RE: Career change away from nursing

Lily Orr — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:14:19 GMT

Many thanks for all the info Kerrie.

RE: Career change away from nursing

Kerrie Oakley — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:23:53 GMT

No need to go through the human route first! Complete myth! Only annoying thing is that it's not regulated like vet nursing! There are loads of different options to train. You could go the human route if you want to but you have the straight animals route also. You could go to university full time/distance at Nottingham. Or there are other options such as Justo Development which my old lecturer now runs. This runs from Berkshire College. Check out Justo Development online and get in touch with Katie Lawrence.

RE: Career change away from nursing

Lily Orr — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 21:15:41 GMT

Yes how did you get into the veterinary physio? Did you need to qualify as a human physio first?

RE: Career change away from nursing

gemma83 — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 22:55:43 GMT

Could I ask where did you train to be a physio? I am looking into this or hydro at the moment trying to decide.

Thanks

RE: Career change away from nursing

Kerrie Oakley — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 22:44:31 GMT

I think this crosses many minds!

I originally fell into teaching for 8 years but knew that wasn't really where my heart was! I enjoyed teaching VN students but it was the general animal management kids that got on my nerves!

After having my little boy I needed a new challenge and wanted to set up my own business to earn money, work hours I wanted around him as well as be in charge! I retrained as a veterinary Physio and haven't looked back!

It's mentally and physically challenging but well worth it!!

RE: Career change away from nursing

Nick Shackleton — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 21:21:39 GMT

I'm in my six year away from full time veterinary nursing. Currently training as medical Technicial officer in nuclear medicine, which is a branch of radiography. Using radiopharmaceuticals to imaging different organs of the body. Predominantlay looking a organ function rather than structure. I still work part time at a local veterinary emergency hospital. Really enjoyed working as a ceterinary nurse, but my love of imaging was greater. I found it quite difficult to transfer from nursing animals to working with people, but took on the challenge and feel now I am an effective and caring member of the team I work with.

RE: Career change away from nursing

Catherine Raymond — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 20:52:53 GMT

I've had a tough twelve months or so in work and ended up having a breakdown in November. Been in the same practice twenty years. After four weeks sick leave, I couldn't go back and so I handed in my notice. At the moment I can't face practice and so I have applied for jobs in the local hospital. I have an interview in a couple of weeks for a lab technician. I've paid my RCVS and I'll keep up with CPD, but this year at least I don't think I will be returning to practice. It's all I have ever done, and so have started to do an administration qualification so that I can at least have the qualification for reception/administrator work.

RE: Career change away from nursing

fiona eldridge — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 19:03:40 GMT

Kaiarlo.... my bum grew too! Boredom and sitting! U might be able to do an access course... loads of folk on my course did that to qualify for uni. In like health and social care and the like. Think it's quite good to get back into swing of assignment writing and full on learning! Call for example sheff hallam university and speak to someone about what you need. Always speak to the course leaders themselves though not admissions..... then they can let u know if vet nursing will help you get on the course. Admissions only go by the book kinda thing. I'll be honest it's actually also improved my vet nursing skills too!! Made me enjoy that a bit more! Haha. Let me know if I can help you with anything.

RE: Career change away from nursing

kaiarlo — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 13:25:54 GMT

Thanks for that :) Was thinking a while back about retraining as an occupational therapist.. not sure if i would have the points to get into uni though..as I don't have A levels, and only trained as a VN the 'old school' way (little green book!), so other than my VN qualification i only have GSCEs... :( Yes office work is soul destroying..i did it for a while last year and found myself getting really restless sitting on a chair all day...its surprising as you think you won't mind, but as veterinary nursing involves moving around all day it takes a while to get used to sitting on your bum all day...I could also feel my bum getting bigger and bigger by the day lol ;)

RE: Career change away from nursing

fiona eldridge — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 22:33:21 GMT

Hi. Yes I had to go to uni... I won't lie, it's hard work. Nhs pay for the course and give a tiny bursary. So have been doing locum vet nursing to help pay the bills.... I'm knackered, have tons of assignments to do before the light at the end of the tunnel in July when I qualify! Not even sure if it will all be worth it!! Will see. It's now changed to a degree course. If you have a degree in vet nursing u have the Lucas points to get on course. I was old school so I ended up getting on with an old hnd and a level...... and some blagging!! On our course there's loads of people older than me! I'm 39!! Never too late! I tried office work too at idexx...... nearly died of boredom and office politics!!!

RE: Career change away from nursing

melanie lavender — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 13:26:35 GMT

Having a break from any type of career is good.

As long as you stay registered and keep up with the CPD there's no reason for you to take a break and come back into the profession with a clear head.

Good luck.

RE: Career change away from nursing

Isla Rodrigues — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 11:26:16 GMT

P.S. I bet being a qualified and experience Vet Nurse would be a massive selling point for a dog walker/pet sitter! :)

RE: Career change away from nursing

Isla Rodrigues — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 11:21:16 GMT

Hi Gemma and hello all :)

A friend sent me this yesterday which was very interesting (sadly she didn't include which organisation it was)! I think you should all be confident and proud that you are so experienced and skilled in your field and I'd hope that there would be options for changing career. I've heard that teaching or practice management are quite popular.

To test out or start with a dog walking or boarding career/business, https://www.tailster.com/ could be a good website.

I'm the opposite and have worked in an office for over the last decade and am now trying to get into vet nursing! so if there's anything you'd like to know about office based jobs/applications/interviews, please let me know :)

Campaigns Vet Nurse London and South East

We are looking for a confident, qualified Veterinary Nurse to help promote the work of the campaigns department. You will attend estate roadshows, events in open spaces, probation offices and community halls to reach communities with high unemployment/low income, delivering messages on responsible dog ownership, offering help including advice on how to keep a dog healthy, microchipping dogs and other welfare issues. You may be expected to deliver microchipping training and other training sessions to Local Authorities, Housing Associations, Police and other groups across the UK. The role will include indoor and outdoor working in all weather in community settings, liaising with stakeholders and involve travelling around London and the South East. You must be comfortable working with a variety of different people, dogs of all shapes and sizes, keen to take on new challenges and ideally have some experience working for an animal charity.
LOCATION: Various - the role consists of extensive travel around the South East of England at events
DAYS OF WORK: Variable
WORKING TIMES: Variable
INTERVIEW DATE : 1 February 2016

Contract Type:

Permanent, 21 hours

Closing date:

20 January 2016
Campaigns Vet Nurse London & South East Job Description DOC 159 KB

RE: Career change away from nursing

FINNIGAN — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 19:07:56 GMT

I've been in the same job 10 years now and want a change I'm 52 worried I'm now too old. Thinking about being a rep.. Isn't this sad so many of us now want to get out,, anyone know how I get into repping?

RE: Career change away from nursing

Helen Tottey — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 08:21:03 GMT

Hi. I left practice to be a rep (aged 29) but missed practice so went back aged 33! Although i am not in practice anymore, i still work in the industry and as already mentioned, its often talking to reps at congresses, building relationships in practice so you are "known" that helps get that first step in the door but rep jobs are generally sales and a lot of RVN's don't like that part of the job so that should be considered.

Its a difficult one - i had an operation on my back and this does seem to be the common reason for leaving!

Good luck

RE: Career change away from nursing

Lily Orr — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 21:59:55 GMT

I'm in the same position. I've be doing this job for 10 years and am looking for a career move. I know i definitely don't want to go into sales or insurance! Has anyone out there become a area manager or education officer? Or has anyone retrained as a human radiographer? Help!

RE: Career change away from nursing

gemma83 — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 20:56:03 GMT

Yeah I'm the same, its not all about the wage but the hours, not being appreciate, being covered in blood/urine etc and I know a need a change or at least a break. Would like to leave but its matter of deciding what to do, was thinking teaching or something nutrition based but I live in Suffolk where theres not a lot going on

RE: Career change away from nursing

Ems — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 20:37:19 GMT

I am also thinking of leaving the veterinary career - I'm just fed up with the low wage and long working hours! I had my first Christmas off in 4 years and I never want to work a Christmas again!! It was so nice to finally have time with the family!

I'm not sure where to go from here, I've been in the industry almost 10 years and I just don't like the way things are going and I don't enjoy it as much. I've thought about working in an office (e.g insurance advisor etc.) but I'm worried about going crazy being stuck in a chair all day and I'm not sure what the wages are like? I would actually love to do car mechanics but the thought of going back into education scares me a lot!

RE: Career change away from nursing

kaiarlo — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 18:53:53 GMT

[quote user="fiona redfern"] I qualify next year as an Operating Department Practitioner...[/quote]

Hi..did you have to go to uni to train as this? Was thinking of retraining one in one of the health professions one day, but am worried i'm too old lol (42) its hard to get other jobs when you're CV is so veterinary based.. i did get an admin job last year in a health centre but hated office work so much i went back to nursing...

RE: Career change away from nursing

kerryfeehan — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 20:30:31 GMT

I quit my previous job and start my new one tomorrow so will keep you posted! I'm hoping a fresh place might be enough to keep me in nursing!

RE: Career change away from nursing

fiona eldridge — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 15:04:29 GMT

I'm currently changing my career!! I qualified in 2001... done many vet nursing things over years, worked at Waltham.pet centre, in Spain, head nurse, idexx, emergencies.... then decided enough was enough. I qualify next year as an Operating Department Practitioner... working in the big wide world of human.theatres!! I'm 39 and I changed. Find something you fancy and have a go! I'm still locum vet nursing though.... maybe it will be hard to leave! Haha.... good luck with any changes..

RE: Career change away from nursing

PSA-David — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 10:28:27 GMT

Strangley enough, the job description was dropped in by one of the territory manages, which when I looked at it I was thinking "o not interested". but after talking to my then partners friend. it turns out the "original description" was basically what I did every day with pet owners on products and use.

I'm now a lot more involved in the company and the position is changing weekly. With my company now for positions such as this we don't advertise in the RVN papers, but companies such as nobles etc.

RE: Career change away from nursing

Mark Hedberg — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 08:58:50 GMT

[quote user="gemma83"]

How did you go about finding that position, that's my issue at the moment is not knowing where to look for jobs outside of RVN work

thanks

[/quote]

Talk to the reps that visit your practice; they're often very clued up on what's going on in the profession.

RE: Career change away from nursing

Kim Rathbone — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 20:05:22 GMT

We sometimes have positions for Careline Advisors, which is basically to help provide support for are 7 clinics taking calls. We have some VNs doing this job at the moment and they really enjoy it :-)

Petplan often need advisors as well to provide support and take calls dealing with insurance

Neutravet are advertising sales for VNs in the midlands to join the sales time.

Or you could be one of them people who provide nutritional support at places like Hills, Purina, etc.......

Or find something different in vet nurses like becoming a wildlife VN, a Zoo VN, inpatient nurse, a consulting nurse or even practice manager.

RE: Career change away from nursing

gemma83 — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:17:37 GMT

How did you go about finding that position, that's my issue at the moment is not knowing where to look for jobs outside of RVN work

thanks