Can I say no?

Re: Can I say no?

albatross — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:05:16 GMT

at least you went and gave it your best shot. Now you have something to compare other practices against, and you don't need to wonder about whether it would have been right for you.

Unfortunately some adverts for trainee positions are very unclear as to whether they intend you to start training straight away, wait a couple of years before sending you to college, don't even train in the official SVN sense of the word, and even in one I applied for recently - a first year advert actually meant they wanted an almost-second-year student who had completed college and most of their portfolio rather than the "nursing experience" applicant they actually asked for.

Another position will appear on the horizon for you shortly I'm sure, and I really hope that will be just the job of your dreams.

Re: Can I say no?

Gaelle Konak — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:53:00 GMT

Well, turns out I did say no in the end. The practice was impressive and the staff I met seemed lovely BUT it wasn't for me. They weren't offering the training I was looking for (not the approved route to qualify as a VN) and for this experience to really be beneficial to me I would have had to stay there a good 4 years + which I doubt I'd want to do as I'm not planning to stay in this area for more than a couple of years. So basically, it was a good shot, they seemed to really like me and be disappointed I backed off but I can't mess about anymore now, my goal is to qualify and register as a VN and broaden my opportunities longer-term. I've got to stick to it.

Re: Can I say no?

Mac Feather — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:48:30 GMT

You know me, I like my phrases!

Re: Can I say no?

Nick Shackleton — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:45:34 GMT

[quote user="SaskiaVN"]

[quote user="heather mac"]

[quote user="SaskiaVN"]

The job where I am now, initially, it was a locum placement for 13 weeks and I thought the travelling would be awful and I would definitely only do the 13 weeks.

Then they offered me temporary employment. I really enjoy it there, love my job and the people are so nice, so now the travelling does not bother me at all.

However, if I was in a practice I did not enjoy, then I guess the travelling would seem a real problem.

[/quote]

I agree, when the job itself isnt enjoyable the travelling just adds the cherry on the turd.

[/quote]

'the cherry on the turd?' hahahahahah lololol is that another Scottish one Heather

[/quote]

Turd is very Scottish sounding Paula!

Re: Can I say no?

Saskia Quinn — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:43:30 GMT

[quote user="heather mac"]

[quote user="SaskiaVN"]

The job where I am now, initially, it was a locum placement for 13 weeks and I thought the travelling would be awful and I would definitely only do the 13 weeks.

Then they offered me temporary employment. I really enjoy it there, love my job and the people are so nice, so now the travelling does not bother me at all.

However, if I was in a practice I did not enjoy, then I guess the travelling would seem a real problem.

[/quote]

I agree, when the job itself isnt enjoyable the travelling just adds the cherry on the turd.

[/quote]

'the cherry on the turd?' hahahahahah lololol is that another Scottish one Heather

Re: Can I say no?

Mac Feather — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:18:50 GMT

[quote user="SaskiaVN"]

The job where I am now, initially, it was a locum placement for 13 weeks and I thought the travelling would be awful and I would definitely only do the 13 weeks.

Then they offered me temporary employment. I really enjoy it there, love my job and the people are so nice, so now the travelling does not bother me at all.

However, if I was in a practice I did not enjoy, then I guess the travelling would seem a real problem.

[/quote]

I agree, when the job itself isnt enjoyable the travelling just adds the cherry on the turd.

Re: Can I say no?

Saskia Quinn — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:03:27 GMT

The job where I am now, initially, it was a locum placement for 13 weeks and I thought the travelling would be awful and I would definitely only do the 13 weeks.

Then they offered me temporary employment. I really enjoy it there, love my job and the people are so nice, so now the travelling does not bother me at all.

However, if I was in a practice I did not enjoy, then I guess the travelling would seem a real problem.

Re: Can I say no?

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:10:52 GMT

I've only skimmed through the replies (on lunch, not much time) but think people have a similar opinion to me(?):

I reckon you should go for it. They are so hard to come by, to get an interview is precious. You might not get another one for a while (you might get one next week - but these things you just don't know).

The journey might be something that you get used to? I guess you have to weigh up how much you really want to train. Other people move away from home in order to gain a placement. Also, if your current job is pants then maybe you really should go for it - you might get inside and absolutely love it.

But - may I add, I did read this to say that you can pretty much say no to anything (within reason that is). I wanted to know what the topic was in case you were in trouble or something.

Re: Can I say no?

Heather Christie — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:50:47 GMT

I think you have to balance the risk of not finding anywhere for a few more years with how much you think you'll hate it if you're there. At the risk of sounding like my mother, you need to work out where your priorities lie. If you did take a job and were miserable, you wouldn't give it your all and perhaps wouldn't get as good a reference as you would if you waited for somewhere that you liked better. Personally i'd take it and consider it as good experience while i wait for something else to turn up.

Re: Can I say no?

Doolally — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:06:16 GMT

sometimes we have to make sacrifices to get where we want to be in life. My first job was an hours drive away, I did it because it was a fab practice and it helped me get to where I want to be.

Also with the varied shift patterns you may not always be travelling in rush hour so it may be a lot better than you think

Re: Can I say no?

Nick Shackleton — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:08:33 GMT

I would say go for it at least get some of your training under your belt! I moved up north to finish my training! I say grab the chance while you've got it

Re: Can I say no?

Fiona Leathers — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:48:55 GMT

If you've ever been to Skeldale House, you would realise how misconstrued that image actually is!! Its well worth a visit though!

Re: Can I say no?

Gaelle Konak — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:18:06 GMT

Thank you all.

I've been thinking about it last night and today and I guess I've been getting "used to" the idea of having to go there everyday soon, and it is growing a bit on me. I guess it was just a bit of a shock when I saw it yesterday, not knowing what to expect. It was a good idea I did too, so now at least I'm not going to be in that same state of shock and disappointment for my interview!

Like I say, it's the commute which poses me a problem mainly, it is an awful road and everybody I know who has to take it for whatever reason understands how I hate the idea of taking it every day. But on the other hand, it is just a detail and it is a bit snobby of me to think of turning an opportunity down because of that small point. I know places are hard to come by and let's face it, I'm not getting any younger!

I've just got to drop the idealised "Skeldale House" picture I had in my mind or the rose-tinted memories of practices I worked at in France some time ago. It is a big place, so no doubt there'll be plenty going on and so lots to learn.

I'll go to the interview with all the enthusiasm and energy I would have had for the perfect pretty rural practice i was dreaming of! And i'll make my mind up when I've seen what it's like inside, the people, the organization etc...

Re: Can I say no?

albatross — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:18:57 GMT

there's two ways of looking at it.

First go into the interview fully wanting to be offered the job and give it your best shot - places are rarer than rocking horse poo - as bouncyfi says I've been waiting for three years of solid trying and another two on top of that occasionally looking. Others have been 6-8 years in non TP's waiting for the chance. If during the interview you really feel because of staff/working rules/other logistics problems, you can't bear to work there, then you can always become less interesteduring the interview (which is what I did once, see below...)

Then if you're offered the job you can start to consider the options you have:

accept the job and try to work round the travel - for instance, train, bus, stay with someone on a few nights a week etc. Or just put up with the travel by perhaps trying to leave exceptionally early, volunteer to do late shifts so you can travel off peak etc.
Then you can always look round for other places. I work on the theory that once you're in, it ought to be much easier than a non-student to get interviews elsewhere (although having said that the jobs have to be there in the first place before you can get an interview).
The one thing you would have to consider if you started then quit was would you have to pay back the enrolment/registration/college course fees? Get this in writing first before you sign up as you could find you worked for a couple of months for nothing if you have to pay back fees.

If you don't accept it then at least you went into the interview in a positive frame of mind and gave it your best shot.
Although you shouldn't let the outside of the place influence you, it can be very difficutl to become/remain motivated if you start a job on a downer, so this might be a good reason not to accept it in the first place if it was offered. Only you can decide - the pros and cons written on a bit of paper works (as I've been reminded recently when having to make a three way decision on my future!!).

I went for an interview a while ago, and from the outside of the place I couldn't feel the warmth and sort of enveloping friendliness that I'd hoped to feel. Inside the place was a disaster and although the people were friendly, the on-call accommodation and security arrangements left a lot to be desired, and when I saw the trainee asleep in the staff room with a fire blazing and it looking like a front parlour, and was told that all staff are cossetted and you don't do reception,lab, and other things, and they make sure you get plenty of sleep when on nights - well I then started to talk myself out of the job anyway - I'd have hated to be offered it and then to turn it down, as like you, I knew places were few and far between. It would suit a new young trainee who wanted a mother hen sort of environment but I felt I'd be stifled in trying to do things and stand on my own two feet.

Six months down the line from that non-offer anyway (who knows if I'd have been offered it if I'd stayed positive throughout the interview?), I have had 3 more interviews and...... wtach this space.........when I can say more!

Good luck in whatever you decide, and remember, your CV was good enough for one interview, so there could be more around the corner...

Re: Can I say no?

Vicky RVN — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:03:56 GMT

I would judge a job by what it is like inside, the staff etc. Not by the location! Like has been said, you aren't going to be outside all day if at all, often just taking the dogs out for a quick wee! I can understand people not taking a job if the commuting time is long (ie an hour) because that adds so much time to your working day.

Re: Can I say no?

Mac Feather — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:00:40 GMT

See how you feel next week when you get into the place and meet the people.

Ive got a phrase ringing in my ears at the mo which is ' nothing worthwhile is ever totally easy'.

Re: Can I say no?

Fiona Leathers — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:46:00 GMT

Read some of the other threads on this sites about waiting for a TP, some would be SVNs have been waiting 3 years & more!!! If your currant job isn't in a TP, then I would bite the bullet and take the job.

I think its a tad snobby that you are judging the surgery on its location and face it, how often do nurses get to sit ourside and gaze at their surroundings?? iIs a fact of life that because our public transport system is so bad, driving is a must, whether you like it or not!

Re: Can I say no?

johannapage — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:38:24 GMT

Just the fact training practices are so hard to come by makes me think you should grab the chance.

No reason why you cant use it as a foot on the ladder until a more ideal job comes up.

Just because of the location doesnt mean it won't be able to offer you fantastic training an experience. It sounds like its in a busy area which suggests to me you will get a bigger case load and more cases in during the day to aid you with portfolio completion.

On the other hand if you think you really wont be happy there - not a lot of point in you going and being miserable and unhappy as if you dont get the job another person will and you just sit and wait for the next TP to come along.