Salary

RE: Salary

Tania Ford — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 09:56:26 GMT

I don't think the 2015 survey has been released to the public domain yet but here is the link to download the 2014 survey

It is available on the SPVS website though if you know anyone who is a member

http://www.bvna.org.uk/downloads/spvs-salaries-survey-2014-nurses.pdf

RE: Salary

kat mozdzynski — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 16:34:37 GMT

Does anyone have a copy of the SPVS 2015 salary survey?

RE: Salary

Hannah Omer — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 14:46:14 GMT

It's difficult to label vet nursing with one standard wage because the job can be varied depending on the type of practice you're working in! I don't think I'd be wrong to say on the whole staff working in a 24 hour hospital will expect to be on a higher wage than those in smaller practices with more regular hours who have been qualified for a similar amount of time. An individual's responsibilities in practice (such as head nurse or supervisor) are also varied which may influence pay, any OOH, night shifts, additional qualifications and general working week will should also be taken into consideration as well as the actual location of the practice. I don't think anyone ever begins working in the animal welfare field expecting to make millions! But expecting decent living wage to reflect your own skill set and experience is reasonable.

RE: Salary

Sal the 1st — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 19:40:49 GMT

[quote user="Selena "]

There is still a degree/apprentice divide, uni students seem to want more. I'm happy with my wage, its not great but better than previous places.

[/quote]

same here -

RE: Salary

Selena Carnell — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 18:19:16 GMT

Asking for higher wages, potentially leaves the smaller veterinary practice struggling for staff. wasting time interviewing people who want 22k from passing finals. There is still a degree/apprentice divide, uni students seem to want more. I'm happy with my wage, its not great but better than previous places.

RE: Salary

Sal the 1st — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 11:44:55 GMT

but we all know what the job pays when we decide to do it (hopefully people have researched?) - we all know it isn't going to make us millionaires. If you make a choice to do the job you are making a choice to take what comes with it.

For years I have never been able to get my head round this - there are people bleating that nurses should have more responsibilities (which they are starting to get) but then the some of the same people are bleating that they have so many responsibilities now that they should be paid more for the job? Its like some people think that by volunteering for more (and this is effectively what is happening) they are entitled to more in terms of payment. It isn't how it works - look at any other industry you care to that is private sector and it will show you the same.

RE: Salary

oconnoan — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 21:44:27 GMT

Shocking how poorly we are paid considering what a responsible job we have and how many years of training it takes to get there! Prob have better wage supervising people making sandwiches! Have spent thousands on college fees over last few years and nearly qualified now. Going to work in practice for year or two for experience, but ultimately thinking of going into lecturing just to get a living wage. What a shame, when this is what I've wanted to do all my life

RE: Salary

Sal the 1st — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 22:08:47 GMT

[quote user="Scottywildcat"]

What if a practice cant afford to pay more? What if you're living in an area where jobs are scarce and if you're not prepared to move away then you're grateful for any job you can get in a practice? Or as Iv personally experienced, you've previously worked somewhere which paid well but was hellish to work there, money tends not to become a priority after an experience like that. Yes it would be fantastic if nurses were paid in accordance with their skills and qualifications but its never as straightforward as that unfortunately and I dont think it ever will be.

[/quote]

100% agreed - hence my earlier comments about hell holes (I have worked in a few) and different priorities

RE: Salary

Sal the 1st — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 22:02:51 GMT

it was the comment that we should all be pulling together that I found amusing.

RE: Salary

Scottywildcat — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 22:02:21 GMT

RE: Salary

Lily Orr — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 21:53:54 GMT

I am delighted that you are happy in your job and I'm also lucky enough to work with great people and am very happy with my conditions. I witnessed people being badly treated in previous clinics, which caused them to leave. i think that people should attempt to stand up for themselves with regard to pay and I can't understand why anyone would find this funny. If you are happy to work for low wages that is absolutely your choice but there are nurses out there looking for more. I am simply saying nurses (not everyone ) shouldn't feel they can't ask for more.

RE: Salary

Sal the 1st — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 20:05:03 GMT

[quote user="Lily Spiller"]

Oh for gods sake, of course money matters! Of course we do this job because we love animals but the wages do not allow for a decent standard of living. And considering the hard work and money we had to invest in order to become a VN, it really angers me that nurses are willing to accept poor wages and working conditions. I've had a number of colleagues leave because of bullying (both in work and clients), career stagnation and financial worries. Please do not feel frightened to ask for a better salary or for help. We all need to pull together on this one if we want this job title to stay prominent and be taken more seriously.

[/quote]

Yes money does matter - and some of us are prepared to accept less than others( I am one of them) and that is my choice to accept a lower rate at a place I am happy working in rather than a higher rate working in a hell hole. I will never make my millions from the job - I accept that, but I am adequately recompensed for the work I do. What others are happy with/unhappy with is none of my concern.

[quote user="Lily Spiller"]

We all need to pull together on this one if we want this job title to stay prominent and be taken more seriously.

[/quote]

had to laugh at this one after how the listed nurses were treated

Different people have different priorities - you can't lump everyone in together, especially as some have made a point of creating divisions in the past

RE: Salary

kerryfeehan — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 19:17:56 GMT

[quote user="Lily Spiller"]

[/quote]

Well said! I was not happy at my previous practice and after many pointless 'staff meetings' which resulted in no changes what so ever, I acted with my feet! Many people there are still unhappy and grumble about low pay but in my opinion moaning achieves nothing! If you're not happy move on. I love working with animals but at the end of the day nursing is also a career not just a vocation. If it only paid minimum wage I simply would not have gone through all the stress and costs of becoming an RVN.

RE: Salary

WelshyNurse — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 15:28:16 GMT

I was on little over nmw in a previous job as a qualified ANA, dispite having over 10 years experience. Thankfully my current boss values staff and pays very well.

RE: Salary

Lily Orr — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 14:55:02 GMT

RE: Salary

maylane — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 11:48:26 GMT

I'm on just over 25k no nights and optional weekends on call for emergencies. It so depends on your employer (mine is fab) and what other practices in the area are paying. I left a previous practice because they paid vastly less with nights and lates and on call with little reward. I don't mind working late / nights / on call provided i'm properly paid for it. Vote with your feet!

RE: Salary

Sal the 1st — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 19:58:02 GMT

[quote user="Scottywildcat"]

Luan you are the one who seems offended by someone giving their opinion, I dont think you offended anyone with your comments? Obviously money is more important to you than job satisfaction or why else would you have left your animal nursing assistant job after just a year for a job as a dog warden? Im based in Scotland and I know what the wardens up here do and dont do, and while it might involve a bit more than just picking up strays your kidding yourself if you think its on the same level as a vet nurse or a RSPCA inspector. Sure, why else do you think its a well paid job, its the same for lab animal technician jobs, they're well paid too as the job is depressing and not one that real animal lovers would enjoy. Wait until you've been in your new job a while and then see if you feel you're making such a difference to the welfare of animals, I think you'll be disappointed. But hey, at least you will be on a good salary so thats the main thing!

[/quote]

You can all shoot me if you like but I think a dog wardens job is quite important. The way I see it I would rather have somebody doing the job that knows what they are talking about and knows how to handle animals - lets face it not every dog picked up by the dog warden is going to be some fluffy cutey that everybody is fighting to rehome. Its a difficult job its not one I would want but all credit to those that do it. I can't imagine dealing with owners on their home patch will be that easy. Dog wardens around me have been very busy in the last few weeks microchipping and attending public events to raise awareness. Ok its not nursing but neither is a lot of the 'nursing' we are doing in practice these days

RE: Salary

Scottywildcat — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 19:45:51 GMT

RE: Salary

WelshyNurse — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 19:00:48 GMT

nobody was passing judgement on your comment, just giving an opinion on the dog warden role.

RE: Salary

luan riach — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 15:22:09 GMT

Dog Warden duties are obviously different in Scotland compared to England because my duties don't involve only picking up dogs destined to be pts! it involves mostly educating the public on neutering/microchipping and promoting good animal welfare and is not depressing in the least!

I am an animal lover thank you and have 14 years veterinary nursing experience!- my comments were not meant to offend vet nurses they were mererly to just compare human nurses and vet nurses pay scales- but it never ceases to amaze me how people pass judgement on innocent comments made!

RE: Salary

WelshyNurse — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 12:18:35 GMT

[quote user="Scottywildcat"]Luan your dog warden job might pay well but how depressing a job it is for an animal lover, especially when so many of these dogs you pick up may be destined to be pts when no one comes to collect them or gives them a home. Im afraid that wouldnt be a job for me no matter what the salary[/quote]

Agree with this. Not a job for an animal lover in my opinion.

RE: Salary

Scottywildcat — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 11:22:52 GMT

I think the vast majority of people who go into vet nursing dont do it for the money, they do it for a rewarding career with animals where no two days are the same and they are making a difference. Yes its shockingly low pay but as Sal says, practices pay what they can afford. Most people are surprised to learn that vets are often not on a high salary either, considering they are surgeons their pay doesnt always reflect this. Luan your dog warden job might pay well but how depressing a job it is for an animal lover, especially when so many of these dogs you pick up may be destined to be pts when no one comes to collect them or gives them a home. Im afraid that wouldnt be a job for me no matter what the salary.

RE: Salary

Sal the 1st — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 10:58:07 GMT

what you need to remember Luan is that vet nurses do not work for a an employer with a multi billion budget - which is being squandered to a greater or lesser degree on multiple layers of management, wasted drugs, and hit and miss nursing care. When that happens then our wages can be directly comparable until then all I can suggest is that those wanting an NHS wage work for the NHS.

Most practices pay what they can afford and whilst that might not exactly dovetail with the amount some people expect that is how it is.

RE: Salary

luan riach — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 09:00:11 GMT

I think RVN's get paid so poorly compared to human nurses- I am a qualified Paramedic with 14 years experience and I returned to Veterinary practice as a Veterinary Nursing Assistant last year (and left after a year!)

I am amazed at how little RVN's get paid considering all the skills that are required! Newly qualified Staff Nurses in Scotland start on Band 5 ( £21,692 and goes up to a maximum of £28,000 in increments). The equivalent of a RVN Head Nurse would probably be on Band 6 wages which can be up to £35,000!

It is obvious that Veterinary Nurses do the job because they love animals as it most certainly is not for the money! (which is a real shame!)

I recently accepted a post working for the local Council as a Dog Warden and my starting salary is £26,000 working 9-5 with no out of hours or weekend work- no wonder RVN's are seeking other employment!

RE: Salary

FINNIGAN — Sun, 03 Apr 2016 16:54:00 GMT

Ok thanks guys, I'm West Sussex area