Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

Tania Ford — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 15:20:46 GMT

[quote user="Sal the 1st"]I was in practice 12 years before I qualified - the years of experience stood me well[/quote]

I worked as a vet nurse for 26 years before finally qualifying, and have to say that my many years of experience put me in good stead for my exams. As the most experienced SVN, I had most if not all of the other students at college asking my advice, as I could explain things in a way that made them understand, rather than just textbook/teacher speak. I have also worked with some amazing experienced qualified nurses, who despite their strong views on the qualified/unqualified debate, had great respect for my knowledge and never once complained about my salary. Experience over qualification should be respected, but I have to say that gaining my 'piece of paper' has allowed me to continue to work in what I class as my vocation and not 'just a job'. I will be celebrating 30 years in the business next year!

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

Sal the 1st — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 16:24:42 GMT

I was in practice 12 years before I qualified - the years of experience stood me well. I agree that a qualification is not the be all to end all, its what you do in the lead up to qualification and how you use it once you have it . I would take experience over a bit of paper any day

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

Wildlife Nurse — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 12:11:22 GMT

I worked as an unqualified nurse for 14 years before taking the RVN qualification. When I finally began my training, I was paid due to my knowledge and vast experience, and valued because of it, I would have qualified nurses asking me for help and advice as they respected my past. Wages should not just be based on qualifications alone.

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

WelshyNurse — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 07:57:34 GMT

I am glad that some employers do not just decide wages on qualifications.

I've been nursing over 10 years, never felt the need to do my training.

I would be annoyed if a qualified with less experience got more than me. Thankfully, that has never happened.

I totally get that qualifieds work hard for that RVN title, but years of busting ur butt to get up the ladder without that title is also hard work.

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

Julie-Anne Wilson — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 19:21:45 GMT

Don't know and didn't ask. Although she wasn't much older than me so she couldn't have had that much experience.

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

WelshyNurse — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 13:12:18 GMT

She may have been a first year SVN but how long has she been nursing before starting her training? It makes a difference

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

Julie-Anne Wilson — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 10:54:02 GMT

I left the practice I qualified in because I found out an unqualified SVN was getting £500/pa more than me. My boss' response was she had experience (she was a 1st year SVN when I started and kept failing her exam so I qualified before her), my reponse was I had a qualification and I handed in my notice.

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

WelshyNurse — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 22:14:33 GMT

I wish people would comment as well as rate. Especially if they only give 1 star

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

WelshyNurse — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 13:03:31 GMT

So she's been doing the job a few years longer than you? I see no problem in that. Although I think your both on poor pay. I am a qualified ANA and got paid more than some of our RVNs because I've been doing it for many years longer than them.

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

Sal the 1st — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 19:10:57 GMT

[quote user="kerryfeehan"]

yes I definitely agree that current employees wages can get left behind. I too second that money isn't everything and am lucky that I now earn more in my current job and I actually don't dread going to work either! Only wish I had moved sooner!

[/quote]

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

kerryfeehan — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 18:58:51 GMT

[quote user="Sal the 1st"]

[quote user="kerryfeehan"]

In my previous work place we lost a fantastic nurse because she wanted an extra 50p an hour more or she was going elsewhere. They wouldn't pay and so she went, yet 3 months later they employed a less experienced nurse and paid her more than what the original nurse was asking for?! Which also meant she was paid 2k a year more than me even though we were of similar experience/qualification!!!

[/quote]

this is exactly what I meant when I said the cost of hiring has risen and current employees wages can get left behind. Its a well recognised occurence

its always a risk asking an employer to up the wages - I have been lucky in that the places I have wanted to stay have paid me what I consider to be a good rate (and I know that may be less than others are willing to accept in some cases but it works for me and when it doesn't I don't stay). I have pretty much stopped bothering what others may or may not be getting paid now as long as there is enough to pay the bills and a little over and I don't dread going into work every day I am happy

[/quote]

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

Tania Ford — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 12:47:31 GMT

[quote user="vet nurse2015"]She has been working as a ACA for a few years and in other animal related jobs before that. I have been qualified a year now and been with them a year so hopefully due a pay rise!![/quote]

So, it may just be that although she isn't qualified, she has more experience and is paid as such? Prior to qualifying I was paid a qualified nurse salary as I had many years of experience and have to say that most of my 'qualified' colleagues agreed that I should be on a qualified salary, as I had many more years and experience under my belt than a lot of them . I do however agree that what you are paid at present probably isn't enough as an RVN and well under what SPVS recommends, so an informal chat with the bosses may be what is needed and if they don't agree then keep your options open and move on if necessary.

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

Sal the 1st — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 23:17:44 GMT

[quote user="kerryfeehan"]

[/quote]

this is exactly what I meant when I said the cost of hiring has risen and current employees wages can get left behind. Its a well recognised occurence

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

Vet nurse0000 — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 21:37:04 GMT

She has been working as a ACA for a few years and in other animal related jobs before that. I have been qualified a year now and been with them a year so hopefully due a pay rise!! Am definitely keeping my options open though and looking at other places.

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

kerryfeehan — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 20:37:59 GMT

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

Tania Ford — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 15:12:50 GMT

Is the SVN new to the job or has she been 'nursing' for years? The only reason I ask is that I was paid more than some of my qualified colleagues, purely because I had 20 years of experience under my belt before becoming a SVN, so this may be the reason? I fully understand that RVN's should get paid more, but sometimes experience is much more beneficial to a practice, than a qualification. I know, I know that I am probably opening a can of worms again with the unqualified v qualified argument, but this may be the reason. If you have been qualified for 2 years or more you should really be on a better rate of pay (according to SPVS), so an informal chat with the powers that be may help. If not I would start looking elsewhere as there are more jobs than nurses available at the moment and you should be swooped up pretty quickly :)

Good luck!

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

Sal the 1st — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 11:08:29 GMT

How long have you been qualified? Have you always worked at the same practice? How long has the SVN got to go before they qualify? Have they been at the practice a shorter time than you have? It happens - the thing is its costing more to hire these days and if you stay in one place for a long time new staff are always going to be on a higher starting rate than you were when you started out - and the chances are that your wage rises, if you have had any, have just not kept up with the increased hiring rate. It might be a case that your wages have just got left behind unintentionally and a quick word with the boss can sort this?

But just to throw this one in - as a head nurse at one place I was being paid less than a member of laystaff carrying out nursing duties - then when I considered what what that member of staff was doing to keep the boss sweet and to get her higher rate of pay ..... lets just say she earned it. We also had it written into our contracts that if we discussed our wages with other members of staff that it would be grounds for dismissal/disciplinary.

It wont harm to mention it to the boss but then again it wont harm to start looking around for another practice either

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

Heather Bacon — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 10:12:37 GMT

Does your work pay for her college? And could what she is saying is her wage possibly include her training fees? I used to say I was paid X amount per year, but in my head I would include the £5k a year college fees so that my measly wage didn't terrify me!

Have you had or can you have a review with your employers?

Otherwise if the student really is earning the same/more than you and your employers won't increase your pay....I would be looking to move somewhere else!

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

jojofruits — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 09:24:20 GMT

I really do believe that until veterinary nurses stand up, show their value and demand a little bit more from their jobs there will always be stories like this..

Good RVNs are like gold dust, and good practices are happy to pay for their skills

in this situation I would certainly be putting some feelers out to see what is out there.. do a bit of research find out what is important to you in your job ( for some money isn't as important, but the conditions are) and go for it!

I did recently - I put together a list of everything I was looking for in a position and then made it happen and as a result I have never been happier at work

Have confidence in your abilities and your worth x

RE: Being paid less than an unqualified svn?!?!

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 06:53:55 GMT

Look for a new job where you are is a waste of effort and deserves no loyalty well thats what l would do.