Advice on Seeking Paid SVN Positions.

RE: Advice on Seeking Paid SVN Positions.

Emma Aurelia — Tue, 08 May 2018 21:32:35 GMT

Congratulations !! So happy for you and that you have found the right practice for you . Good you stuck at it ..and itspId off ..I am still searching but like you I won't give up. Good luck with your training and future career x

RE: Advice on Seeking Paid SVN Positions.

Rhiannon Thomas — Tue, 08 May 2018 15:16:24 GMT

Thanks all for your support in my search for a Student Vet Nurse position! Just wanted to update you, as you took the time to offer your advice, that I have accepted a job in South London/Surrey and will commence my VN training in September! I am thrilled. I went through many a rejection, even for PCA roles and I was very obviously not ticking the boxes for the large corporate practices but I will be a member of an independent three practice team. The staff are wonderful, and the location perfect for me. I literally couldn't be more pleased.

RE: Advice on Seeking Paid SVN Positions.

Heather Bacon — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 21:32:18 GMT

It is difficult to find a paid training opportunity, they are like hens teeth and it's more of a case you have to be in the right place at the right time. Others have given good advice, but once you have your foot in the door you may be waiting a little longer than until September this year to go to college. The practice invest a lot of time and money training a student, and they need to make sure you are a right fit for them as well as you making sure you are going to happy working there for the next 2+ years (possibly longer if they tie you in to a contract). Training practices may also have some students already in training and you may have to wait until they are finished/nearly finished until you can start. Possibly due to RVN staffing, availability of clinical coaches, how it would work with so many students off the rota on college days etc. They may also have a waiting list of current staff (receptionists or kennel assistants that would like to be an RVN and have been there years etc) to be trained up before you.

I am a bit similar to you in that I had an equine degree, loads of equine experience, worked with equine vets etc. I got some small animal experience and managed to get a job as a nursing assistant at a small vets. It was another 1-1.5 years until I was able to go to college though. You may get lucky though. I would hand out your cv to all the local vets that are training practices, look for VCA, reception jobs etc. I don't think your age is an issue, as explained above sometimes a bit of life experience is valued in this job! Definitely have a look at some charities like PDSA, RSPCA...but also some corporate vets like medivet sometimes have more student opportunities advertised. Good luck :)

RE: Advice on Seeking Paid SVN Positions.

Emma Aurelia — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 17:27:21 GMT

Sounds good Hun..keep at it ..you'll get there. Appreciate your financial position And keeping your time busy..I too am self supporting and it's not easy re rent bills etc.,there's a practice in walsall looking for a student VN see the jobs section on here ..x

RE: Advice on Seeking Paid SVN Positions.

Rhiannon Thomas — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 21:29:30 GMT

Thank you both for the advice. Will keep plugging away and hope that it works out. I have no plans to give up anytime yet, It's just frustrating when you are mostly held back by finances. Sadly I can't take a low paying Veterinary Care Assistant Role as I don't have any spousal support and as I already have an honours degree I'm not eligible for another loan to go back to uni. But keeping my free time filled up with as much hands-on experience as I can. :)

RE: Advice on Seeking Paid SVN Positions.

Wildlife Nurse — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 21:47:37 GMT

Carry on trying to get experience within the small animal field. More recent experience will help with handling etc. Don't be worried about age at all, in the veterinary field life experience is worth a lot as they know its what you want and aren't going to drop out at the sight of a diarrhoea stricken kennel! Paid placements are difficult to find but by no means impossible. I had been nursing 14 years before I started my official qualification. I did have to wait working in practice until another student finished/left before they were willing to send me to college. It's very frustrating to try and get into but it is very much possible with determination, contacts and up to date relevant experience. Fire of cv's anywhere and everywhere, don't give up hope!!

RE: Advice on Seeking Paid SVN Positions.

Emma Aurelia — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 22:29:31 GMT

hiya

SVN placement for NVQ3 are very hard to find. Practices do not always advertise them . Try vetclick and vetnurse as well as agencies.. The most important thing right now despite your experience is hands on work in a practice ..either voluntary or paid. this could be as an animal nursing assistant first ..because it is good for prospective students to do this. Also it gives yiu time to find your feet, get to know the staff and their protocols ..each practice has their own . On average some people may have to wait 2 yrs or more to find one. Sorry to burst you're bubble ..but I think September may not be realistic to start NVQ . If you are offered training you have to be sure a practice is right for you..for the next two years..in the mean time if you have not worked in SA practice before ask if yiu can go in for a few weeks work experience . Finding a place is partly luck, being in the right place at the right time and determination ..competition is high for places. Writing to practices regularly is good. Keep writing be like a terrier with a ball lol .. you will get there ..sadly there is a shortage QVNs but equally most practices that can train on,y take on 1 or 2 students every year or two ..so you get the picture ..in the meantime volunteer at cat charity homes and rescue kennels / wildlife rescue ..anything that's hands on ..animal related . I know the RSPCA used to hire kennel assistants at the rehoming centre to then train at the charity hospital ..NVQ is min 20 hrs in practice or full time . Pt hours would mean yiu would nit be able to register until 3 yrs .. maybe consider a charity hospital like pdsa, RSPCA , battersea dogs home ... ?

Hope this helps and good luck ;/)