WHAT TO DO AFTER VET NURSING??

RE: WHAT TO DO AFTER VET NURSING??

Mason8 — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 23:40:56 GMT

No part time work available in my area after having my daughter and poor salary prospects. I now work as a post woman and love it. I get paid to work out and being outside is amazing for your frame of mind. I am also now pursuing another degree in Biological Sciences and plan on going into government employment when my degree is complete. I still volunteer working with animals but the best thing is I don't have to work myself into exhaustion while the practice is short staffed all of the time and I don't have to see corners being cut at the expense of animal welfare in practice. There are practices that will cultivate you and show appreciation but it seems almost like the holy grail. Good luck with your future endeavors. Don't be afraid to take opportunities when they present themselves.

RE: WHAT TO DO AFTER VET NURSING??

Sal the 1st — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 21:35:51 GMT

I know of vetnurses that have retrained as midwives, one that runs her own hydrotherapy unit for pets, phlebotomy is relatively easy to get into (pm me for details), one who is now a florist,another who is now an undertaker and another who runs a pets empawrium.

What other interests do you have outside of vetnursing - ie is there something you can build on. Diversify - stick your fingers in a few more pies and see which tastes the best.

I think we all go through these spells every now and again (well I know I do - usually every 7-10yrs in my case) where we get itchy feet and look for something new and exciting. I have swapped things around a bit in recent years - instead of vetnursing being my life it is now just a part of my life

RE: WHAT TO DO AFTER VET NURSING??

VetNurse Anon a/c — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 21:16:40 GMT

Hi I wrote the original post but did not really find the answers what I was looking for!

I was asking what others have done after nursing or if they know anyone who has left nursing.

I just don't know what to do! I don't want to leave vet nursing but have no choice as I am going nowhere with it and my career has become stagnant! I feel more and more depressed everyday and low and frustrated! Feeling not valued and low salary is another contributing salary.

I have a few human nurse friends that keep telling me to retrain as a human nurse but can't see me going that. But the world is their oyster and they have already specialised and gained so much and earn double my salary at the same time we have been qualified!!!

I don't know I just don't know which path to choose! I can't just go and get another job as will feel worse. I need a career which I thought vet nursing would give me so it's not practical to just get any kind of job as that will still frustrate me as I want a procession!

Office work such as industry would bore me too....

I just don't know anymore...

Or is there anyone that can offer me words of hope as feel there has been a lot of negativity around lately!!

RE: WHAT TO DO AFTER VET NURSING??

VetNurse Anon a/c — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 18:02:19 GMT

Yeah I feel like a lot feel that way! I am not speaking for all nurses but it's the same story!

Unfortunately I don't feel like we are valued enough to this profession for them to stand up and acknowledge that there is a recruitment and retention issue in vet nursing and change things! We are always sent these pointless surveys to why nurses leave but than nothing changes!

My career too has become stagnant and at a cross roads not knowing what to do!

I don't think nurses want to leave as they spend so long pursuing the profession but feel they have no choice! The negatives far out weight the positives unfortunately!

It is very practice dependant though but can be difficult I find in finding the right practice and work to your full potential!

RE: WHAT TO DO AFTER VET NURSING??

hugatummum — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 17:31:47 GMT

I feel exactly the same way at being qualified for 13 years. I feel that my career has become stagnant and that the care and welfare of pets I care for is overshadowed by pressure to make money.

RE: WHAT TO DO AFTER VET NURSING??

Alison Clare Hickman — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 19:58:40 GMT

[quote user="VetNurse Anon a/c"]I am under financial pressure and got into debt so forced to move back in with family to help get myself straight which you don't want in your 30s after 15 years living independently [/quote]

I understand - if you don't mind me saying - on a purely practical basis this is (unfortunately) your main concern. You can't live without money. To be honest, looking at today's employment prospects for an RVN - I think having a salary above £25,000 per annum and with great career prospects / skills usage are very much a rarity. Not saying the roles aren't out there, just very uncommon... I learned to work my life within the salary offered and make my own (sometimes lateral) career progressions but this doesn't sound like that would work for you. I don't honestly think you will (quickly) find a job that does everything you ask for. So, my advice would be to concentrate on looking for employment with a salary that meets your current financial needs (probably OUTSIDE veterinary nursing) - with the thought that you are saving for a better future. Knuckle down, work hard. Life's a bas**rd sometimes.

I also have good friends who have switched from a professional (lowly paid) role to working for Aldi or Lidl (it's flipping hard work but paid well and with food bargains) and regained their sanity again along with their solvency. One has since returned in a voluntary capacity to their professional role and is hoping to pick up paid work again within it at some stage.

I can report that leaving full-time nursing hurt but not being able to sleep due to debts hurt more. Means to and end. Life ain't fair sometimes and you have to sacrifice to survive. However, in my case? The sacrifice was so well worth it. Happy days are here again.

Hope you can sort it out for yourself, hun. Believe me, the day the post pops through your letter box and it is a statement that finally , at last, after all your hard work, says '0' as a balance on the credit card, [because it's all paid off!], is one of the best feelings in the world...

Good luck. My best wishes for your future. You can do this.

Ali h

RE: WHAT TO DO AFTER VET NURSING??

VetNurse Anon a/c — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 18:50:14 GMT

The order of importance are a difficult one as they are all important to me,

I would say using my skill set/knowledge, progression, salary/benefits and than recognition

But the above go hand in hand as better salary will improve recognition same with better benefits and rewards ext

But I won't stay in a job that has a high salary but no career prospects or using my skills or in a job where my skills are put to good use but rubbish salary

I am under financial pressure and got into debt so forced to move back in with family to help get myself straight which you don't want in your 30s after 15 years living independently

I don't want to leave nursing like most who left never wanted to leave as they would come back but feel I have no choice

Locum work are few and far between also and not very secure

RE: WHAT TO DO AFTER VET NURSING??

Alison Clare Hickman — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 12:42:31 GMT

in order of importance to you?

RE: WHAT TO DO AFTER VET NURSING??

VetNurse Anon a/c — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 11:15:04 GMT

Thanks for responses!

Reasons for leaving

Financial

Not enough benefits/incentives

Lack of career progression

Lack of using skill and knowledge

Lack of recognition etc

I feel over qualified for the job I do!

It's the same reasons why others choose to leave which is a shame as I am excellent at my job which will be a loss to the profession but what can you do!!!!

RE: WHAT TO DO AFTER VET NURSING??

Sal the 1st — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 08:58:36 GMT

I trained in therapy and counselling - people fascinate me. Lots of openings out there for this sort of background - anything from doctors surgeries to prisons (I've done both) and anything in between . Will add that people respected me and my time a lot more as therapist than they have ever done as a vet nurse

RE: WHAT TO DO AFTER VET NURSING??

Alison Clare Hickman — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 06:13:06 GMT

Reason(s) for wanting to leave? Will help guide response as e.g. if it is for financial reasons I won't suggest voluntary work!