Should I just give up?

RE: Should I just give up?

Katie Anakin — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 22:31:07 GMT

Hello,

So I'm near enough in the exact same position as you. I workes for 2 years as A VNA in a practice with no RVN. My vets trained me to do everything they would have needed an RVN to do in the practice; consults, anaesthesia, inpatient care. And it was almost exclusively only me and a vet at any one time.

I hen took 2 years out to have kids and am now trying to get back in to it. Have emailed AND phoned every vets in my area, and applied for every RVN job asking if they would take on a full time student instead. Like you I need to be employed full time and do day release to college as I have to put my kids in nursery.

Literally heard back with rejections from about an 8th of what I applied to the rest have just ignored me. I'm just going to keep harassing practices until I hear something. Persist if you keep asking they'll realise this means something to you and get in contact.

RE: Should I just give up?

Heather Bacon — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 19:21:06 GMT

Don't know what area you are looking for but have you tried PDSA? They are advertising a few veterinary care assistant and animal care auxiliary jobs at the moment.

RE: Should I just give up?

Nick Shackleton — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 18:08:24 GMT

Don't give up. You'll get there in the end. Are you based on London. There's a VCA job in Hampstead. Training in future possible.

RE: Should I just give up?

VetNurse Anon a/c — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 16:03:25 GMT

[quote user="jojofruits"]

OK, sounds like you need to flip your thinking a bit

in order to succeed in anything its so important to be positive

think of all the things you CAN do not things you cant - apply expecting to get positions and paint yourself in a positive light otherwise you're on the back foot to start with!

[/quote] I have done every time, which is why I'm so shocked that I'm not even getting interviews now. I know my worth but at the same time that doesn't change the fact there are a lot of practices out there who don't want someone not qualified doing RVN tasks, for legal reasons. Nursing Assistant jobs are far more competitive as there are far fewer of them ( take a look at the jobs on this board as a perfect example! ) and so many practices obviously prefer someone who they think is gonna stick with them even if theyr mostly doing reception/holding animals and cleaning. Some ANAs never get near the operating theatre. I was practically a theatre nurse in my last 2 practices!

I don't think I'm being particularly negative, just realistic? Iv always been a confident person and iv never had trouble getting jobs before, now I'm struggling to even get an interview, despite how I was sure I would be offered one in the last place I applied to.

RE: Should I just give up?

jojofruits — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 10:29:19 GMT

OK, sounds like you need to flip your thinking a bit

in order to succeed in anything its so important to be positive

think of all the things you CAN do not things you cant - apply expecting to get positions and paint yourself in a positive light otherwise you're on the back foot to start with!

RE: Should I just give up?

Alison Clare Hickman — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 09:31:44 GMT

[quote user="WelshyNurse"]Was on very good money too! [/quote]

Aaahhh, Welshynurse, I am taking you with me every time I need to negotiate my salary!!

Rydych chi'n anhygoel!

Ali h

RE: Should I just give up?

WelshyNurse — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 07:14:09 GMT

Just to add, I've also done locum work as an Animal Nursing Assistant so that might be worth a shot. Was on very good money too!

RE: Should I just give up?

steph fursland — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 22:49:34 GMT

Agree with what all have said - it can be tough finding the right place but it will be worth it when you do. Maybe you could see if a locum agency could find you a paid ANA job in he short term to get your experience up and a foot in the door (one of my friends did this and ended up getting a permanent SVN position at the first practice she went to!) Re your previous experience - I would put it all in the CV as you would list any other skills or duties in any other job. In your cover letter, or at interview, you can explain a bit more detail and explain that you realise in many practices these are RVN tasks and that you wouldn't necessarily expect to be performing them, but that with that experience you are well placed to be an excellent ANA (and potentially SVN if the opportunity arises). If you frame it as a strength (which it is!) then employers are much more likely to see it that way!

RE: Should I just give up?

VetNurse Anon a/c — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 22:43:02 GMT

Hi Katzeyes thanks, but I think if I'd had as many years of experience as you do I wouldn't be struggling the way I am to get a job, silly me it took me a long time to decide exactly what I want to do, iv always worked with animals but not solely in veterinary practice. Now iv realised I'm happiest in that environment its looking like its too late. I'd love to do the VN qualification but honestly, at this stage I'd just be happy to get a job in a practice again somewhere :(

RE: Should I just give up?

Tania Ford — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 16:11:43 GMT

Please don't give up just yet! I am testament that you should keep trying. I was made redundant after working as an unqualified VN at the age of 37, when a corporate group bought my small independent practice. I had been head nurse for 11 years at this particular practice and did the FULL amount of work that a qualified nurse would do - ie IV catheters, blood samples, dentistry etc, but it was decided that due to rules and regs, I would no longer be able to perform these tasks, therefore I took redundancy. I decided at that point as my health wasn't brilliant (I had newly been diagnosed with Rheumatiod Arthritis) to take a year out and decide on what I might like to do as a career in the future. Vet nursing had always been my vocation and I had devoted 25 years of my life to it, therefore decided during that year off that it was time to bite the bullet and gain my qualification - which so far as it goes was just a piece of paper to me as I already had 25 years experience under my belt! That piece of paper though would mean that I could continue with my vocation for many years to come and wouldn't be put in the position of being made redundant again. I eventually managed to find a practice that were willing to put me through college, and 4 years ago I did gain my diploma (a the ripe old age of 43!). Im not going to say it was easy, as having been out of the education system for such a long time, I wasn't looking forward to going 'back to school', and I really didn't know how I would cope. Thankfully it all worked out well for me in the end, so if my story is anything to go by, please stick at it. There are practices out there that would welcome you with open arms because of your previous experience, its just going to be a case of finding that 'one'. Keep your chin up and don't give up just yet. Age is just a number so keep going!

RE: Should I just give up?

Alison Clare Hickman — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 13:30:22 GMT

[quote user="VetNurse Anon a/c"] hard going in the winter![/quote]

Certainly is, especially if you're in byre a-top Middlesmoor at 2am on an inky black, freezing cold, wet and icy-ridden night assisting with a calving...

#themwozthedays

RE: Should I just give up?

VetNurse Anon a/c — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 11:58:44 GMT

[quote user="Alison Clare Hickman"]

[quote user="VetNurse Anon a/c"]one vets I applied for work in that when they looked at my CV they didn't think I'd be satisfied with the ANA responsibilities in their practice ( which amounted to little more than kennel maid/ cleaner ) as I'd done so much more. I[/quote]

Yes, I get why they said this to you as clearly that particular practice didn't wish to hire someone who they knew they would under-utilise skills-wise and likely get fed-up (and leave!). However many more practices look to hire someone who will be multi-skilled and keen to develop more as the practice grows so don't let one need sway you.

As for the "one-man rural practices" they are still there but far less so due to the rise of the Corporate-run practice. I do know of one such chap in Knaresborough North Yorkshire (I used to work for him as an animal nurse, back in the day) - I believe only hires animal nurses and not RVN's as was told a couple of years ago, as an RVN I'd be too expensive for him, (so don't expect a massive salary, hahah). Mind you, he did offer to pay to put me through the Pre-Veterinary Nursing Course (as it was then) when I worked for him in 1999 as he wasn't a training practice and couldn't do the SVN route.

No accommodation though. But North Yorkshire is beautiful (am biased - but it is!).

Good luck in your searching.

Ali h

[/quote] That's exactly the kind of place I'd love Alison, wouldn't care too much about the pay either, as long as i could live on it! And yes North Yorkshire is beautiful, especially the Dales, would live there in a heartbeat ( though its like Scotland, hard going in the winter! )

RE: Should I just give up?

Alison Clare Hickman — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 11:29:15 GMT

No accommodation though. But North Yorkshire is beautiful (am biased - but it is!).

Good luck in your searching.

Ali h

RE: Should I just give up?

VetNurse Anon a/c — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 10:49:00 GMT

OK well I'll update my CV again to include the details of what I did in my former practices. Its just that I was told by one vets I applied for work in that when they looked at my CV they didn't think I'd be satisfied with the ANA responsibilities in their practice ( which amounted to little more than kennel maid/ cleaner ) as I'd done so much more. I don't want other practices thinking that when they look at my CV and that's why theyr not even offering me an interview.

What's happened to the one man rural practices, have they all gone extinct! That's the kind of practice I worked in before and would give my right arm to be in again. Anyone work in this type, one or two vets and one nurse?

RE: Should I just give up?

Alison Clare Hickman — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 10:37:35 GMT

Hiya,

If you want some tips and hints/guidance how to create a good CV then I've done a Blog about this. If you PM me or give me your email address I can send it to you! Might help?!

I echo what others have said, the more experience you can put on your CV, nursing skills-wise, the better. Experience counts for sure.

Don't give up. I was a very mature cheese indeed when I switched to being an SVN after a period spent as an animal nurse. Dedication. Endurance. You'll need that as an RVN/VCA/ANA anyway!!

Ali h

RE: Should I just give up?

WelshyNurse — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 10:26:45 GMT

[quote user="VetNurse Anon a/c"]As for my CV, I do have the details of the practices I worked at before but I haven't gone into details about my job duties as I was sole charge, monitoring anaesthetics and other things that an RVN normally does and I feel that a lot of practices wouldn't like that an unqualified nurse had that kind if responsibility.[/quote]

Go into detail!

I am not an RVN and have been working in practice nursing for over 10 years, now in management.

The last two jobs I applied for were looking for RVNs, and I applied and got the job, so don't be affraid to do that either.

Most practices have non RVNs monitoring anaesthetics etc, even tho it's amazing having them, it's so hard to find them these days!

RE: Should I just give up?

Mea99t — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 02:34:27 GMT

Don't give up! And never too old- I'm 34 and just finishing VN degree.

Have you tried rehoming centres working as animal care assistant (or receptionist or rehomer)? Although not veterinary it's a way to work with animals everyday and use some nursing skills as they often have strays needing vet care. It could be a good way to get back into work and close the gap in your CV- you never know where it might lead. The bigger ones also pay quite well, probably comparable to VNA. You can often get voluntary work at a rescue a lot easier than at a vets and more flexible hours wise e.g doing 2 hours in the evening or Saturday morning so it doesn't interfere with your paid work. Again this will help your CV and could lead paid role. (I started out as a volunteer at a rescue before getting a paid VNA role).

Also try charity practices. RSPCA in London are often looking for good hospital assistants and can offer accommodation sometimes as well. They also send HAs for training though the waiting list can be long (4-5y). (They have other hospitals in Birmingham and Manchester as well). Other charities in London- Blue Cross, PDSA, Celia Hammond, Mayhew Animal Home, Battersea dog and cats home.

I would put all your experience in your CV. Places where I've worked in the past, there have been lots of unqualified (but experienced) staff due to shortage of RVN so I don't think its as uncommon as you think.

I'd get some professional advice if you can for your CV/cover letter as this what will get you an interview or not. Did you enclose a cover letter with your CV? If you didn't and didn't give any details on your job responsibilities then nobody would know what you are capable of. Also if you are applying for different job roles then tailor your CV/letter to match. There's lots of advice on the internet about CVs (I've been updating my CV recently, after many years and I didn't have a clue initially).

Have you tried locum agencies? They might be able to help get short term work to fill up your CV (and maybe help with your CV too?).

Sorry for the long post also (and sorry if i'm suggesting things you already know! It's just all the things I can think of off the top of my head).

Hope it helps and good luck.

RE: Should I just give up?

VetNurse Anon a/c — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 22:49:53 GMT

None of the practices in my local area can accommodate me for voluntary work, also I can't afford to do that anyway as I'm in the position where I need to be working full time. Can't get a 24+ loan as iv previously studied at HND level so I'm not entitled to it, plus I can't afford to go back to full time education anyway as I have rent to pay which is not affordable on student income.

As for my CV, I do have the details of the practices I worked at before but I haven't gone into details about my job duties as I was sole charge, monitoring anaesthetics and other things that an RVN normally does and I feel that a lot of practices wouldn't like that an unqualified nurse had that kind if responsibility. Also they might think I'd be unsatisfied in a ANA job where I didn't get to do these things? Which isn't true but they don't know that!

I do know 3 years is a long time to be out but I'm sure people sometimes take even longer than that if they have kids or try a different line of work maybe? I'm willing to relocate too, from Scotland to England or Wales but even that seems impossible as no one is interested unless I'm already living in the area!

I suppose iv been lucky as all my life whatever job iv went for iv mostly always got so now I'm not even getting interviews its really come as a shock to me and my confidence is at an all time low :(

RE: Should I just give up?

apache — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 22:07:39 GMT

Quite happy having a look at your CV in confidence if it helps? Think I'm pretty anon on here. Take your name and other details off

RE: Should I just give up?

sarahkat — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 21:29:23 GMT

Hi PLEASE don't give up I am 41 and have just done my OSCE's!! I applied for the 24+loan and that funded my nursing qualification.

6 years ago I decided on a career change, did work experience everywhere I could whilst working another job. I then managed to volunteer 1 day a week in practice to gain my ANA (correspondence course, same as you are).

Really think that you should put ALL of your experience on your c.v. Also why not see if practices local to you might let you go in one day a week volunteering so that you can get - cases and motivation for your qualification and also they will see how dedicated and passionate you are.

Hope this helps

RE: Should I just give up?

WelshyNurse — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 18:26:12 GMT

When looking at nursing assistant CVs, I always look at the ones who are currently in practice first. 3 years out is a long time, especially for such a sought after role.

Are you able to do some volunteer work at a practice? It could help getting back into it?

RE: Should I just give up?

karen burton — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 16:57:01 GMT

The PDSA used to have nursing auxiliaries for nights. They are a great place to work and you would be doing plenty of animal care.

RE: Should I just give up?

Dreamcatcher — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 16:49:19 GMT

Hello,

Have you tried some of the corporate practices? I find they generally will take on more ANA's/care assistants than private practices, and will usually put them through college too. (At least, that seemed to be how it was when I worked for one 5+ years a go). I'm not sure why you think your experience in practice would go against you? I'm sure most places appreciate someone with lots of experience, so if I were you I would keep it in your CV and then address any limitations you have at interview stage (try not to come across as negative about them though- be enthusiastic about the things you want to learn that you may not have been allowed/able to to as an ANA).

Hope this helps! Never too old!!