What's the biggest problem RVN's are faced with when it comes to a career change?

RE: What's the biggest problem RVN's are faced with when it comes to a career change?

Charley83 — Tue, 30 May 2017 19:01:25 GMT

I am considering going back to human nursing again as in feel veterinary nursing does not challenge me enough as I feel RVN are hardly allowed to do anything, also the pay is awful, I could get more on benefits, Pay is my main concern when looking for a new jobs as we all have bills to pay. At present I am bored in the profession and want a new challenge.

RE: What's the biggest problem RVN's are faced with when it comes to a career change?

Sara Benton — Tue, 30 May 2017 09:53:05 GMT

In my experience people are leaving practice due to family commitments, poor health, long hours, and being consistently undervalued by employers - all coupled with low salaries. Although salaries seem to be slowly improving, and are certainly much better than when I first qualified. I also think people are looking for career progression. I wouldn't leave practice, where I can progress both clinically and academically, for a job that pays less than practice and doesn't offer clear career progression - but that's just me. Everyone's different. I don't know what job you're looking to recruit for so can't be more specific.

RE: What's the biggest problem RVN's are faced with when it comes to a career change?

Harry Kemp — Tue, 30 May 2017 09:26:04 GMT

This particular role isn't looking for particular knowledge, it is looking for general veterinary knowledge. As much as possible really to get the top end of the salary.

The main reason I have been finding people wanting to change career to something like this is because of the night shifts and the long working hours.

RE: What's the biggest problem RVN's are faced with when it comes to a career change?

enigmaticat-uk — Fri, 26 May 2017 17:38:46 GMT

A wage of £22K isn't terrible perhaps for a newly qualified VN or a poor area but for me, as I am currently on equivalent of over £24K in Scotland with very little unsociable hours, I think I would be looking for £24-26K (or equivalent increase in pension contributions) for that type of job in the South of England. I think historically vet nurses are massively undervalued and many employers don't appreciate that now many are degree educated with large amounts of student debt. Presumably this role is looking for the particular knowledge & skill set from a VN and if it's not attracting any applicants then salary is most often the crunch point for considering a new role.

RE: What's the biggest problem RVN's are faced with when it comes to a career change?

Harry Kemp — Fri, 26 May 2017 16:27:44 GMT

Thank you for you reply. What sort of salary bracket do you think would be more attractive? Would you expect a higher salary even though there are no unsociable hours?

RE: What's the biggest problem RVN's are faced with when it comes to a career change?

enigmaticat-uk — Fri, 26 May 2017 16:16:27 GMT

If this is for the post advertised for an insurance co at 22K, I would be looking for more money in the South of England for that type of job.