after 10 years, trying again

RE: after 10 years, trying again

Selena Carnell — Sat, 17 Oct 2020 18:38:42 GMT

We have said no to all work ex, we are struggling to get vet staff and nursing staff without having anyone else to 'manage' it sucks I know. We had one girl literally hound us on a monthly basis for a job, she phoned, popped in, dropped off letters by hand. eventually a space came up and we offered her a job. she is now quaified via c&g route

RE: after 10 years, trying again

Nick Shackleton — Sat, 17 Oct 2020 18:38:18 GMT

My option would be that things are very up in the air right now with the whole pandemic. It might be worth putting it on hold for say six to twelve months. Maybe apply for ANA/VCA positions in the meantime. I know these are few few abs far between but at least you would get the required experience prior to applying to uni. And if you got on well in said practice and if they are a TP they may put you through your training.

RE: after 10 years, trying again

Sal the 1st — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 20:45:17 GMT

'I am more frustrated by the fact a friend has just got in with a vets in the south east. Opportunities are not so great in this area, unfortunately :( '

ok so lets approach this differently now

you have identified that the opportunities are not that plentiful where you are.

what did your friend do differently?

what can you do differently to what you have done in the past to maximise your chances of a placement right now?

there isn't a right lot of chance that the rules for entrance to the course are going to change any time soon otherwise it wouldn't be fair to all of those who have struggled before. So there is no point wasting time hoping that will happen, so between us we just have to come up with something that gets you in. Don't dwell on what isn't possible - it makes you miserable and achieves nothing, lets put our thinking caps on and chuck some ideas at the problem that could help make it possible.

To start you off is your BSc in anything related? would the fact that you have already spent 4 years at uni influence in any way what you want to do now? Could you use that to demonstrate a commitment to study?

RE: after 10 years, trying again

starla — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 20:22:40 GMT

Also this is regarding me doing Uni - vet nurse degree. I keep saying college, but it is a university degree I’m applying for. I’m not messing about trying to go down the apprenticeship or NVQ route any longer.

I thought the degree was more popular with practices as the training is not solely down to the practice, and they don’t have to pay students.

I’ve already done 4 years of uni as a mature student, gained a BSc, and worked part time throughout, in whatever jobs were available - there isn’t a strong job market here, so it’s not like I can pick and choose.

I’m seriously wondering how many other trainees, both vet med and nurses, will be impacted by practices’ refusal to let anyone in. If it’s tough to get a placement (unpaid) anyway, how much worse will it be in a few years, when all those left behind due to 2020 Covid are trying to train, plus all the others from the years afterwards (who knows how long this will go on for!).

RE: after 10 years, trying again

starla — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 20:13:19 GMT

You’re right about vets probably being overly busy right now. Yes I keep my eyes peeled for anything going - receptionist roles, helper roles, anything, and have done for a while. These kinds of jobs just don’t come up, which is a real shame. I suppose we just don’t have the amount of vet practices that heavily populated areas have, sadly

RE: after 10 years, trying again

starla — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 20:11:30 GMT

They won’t even take Saturday helpers at the moment - they won’t touch anyone who isn’t already employed by them. Hence my wondering if the Uni are right to say they will only interview after 2 weeks work experience has been completed. In normal circumstances this might be valid, but the whole problem is Covid.

RE: after 10 years, trying again

Cyonica — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 19:50:10 GMT

I sent applications to every practice within reach every year for 4 years before I was offered a job. I didn't try the uni route as I was increasingly terrified that I wouldn't get a placement for that either, although I've never heard of that happening, so I don't think my concerns were justified. Diploma students in my experience typically start as kennel assistants or receptionists before they are put on the course, and I think it's worth applying for those roles and going from there even if you do go the uni route (you'll get the experience you need that way, plus a good idea before you commit as to whether it really is right for you). As others have said, you're unlikely to get a short work experience placement at the moment. Even without the covid risk, most places are probably too busy right now unfortunately.

RE: after 10 years, trying again

Sal the 1st — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 18:47:33 GMT

I agree with Ben it will be more of a struggle than ever at the minute because practices are going to be more reluctant to let in anybody for work experience for fear of introducing any possibility of covid. Have you considered searching farther afield?I know it is a very long time since I trained but this problem existed even back in the dark ages. I ended up working in practice over 10 years before I could complete my training and moving around quite a bit.

Could you get in as a volunteer as a 'Saturday girl' somewhere in the future and build on that at all?

Sorry not able to offer any easy solutions at the minute but I do think you may fare better casting your net in other areas to snag that illusive place as there tends to be more practices and opportunities in areas with a higher population. I ended up living above the job for years and in places I wouldn't exactly choose to live- its not ideal especially if you have to consider a partner or family but as a singleton its possible and sometimes you just have to do it to get on.

RE: after 10 years, trying again

starla — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 15:00:21 GMT

Just to add, since I cannot edit my reply (sorry), I have replied to each rejection nicely, to explain that I would not be starting until Sept 2021, and if they’d be willing to keep my details on file I’d be very grateful.

I only need enough initial experience to convince the course leaders I am aware of how vet practices operate. It’s completely unpaid, which I was hoping would be more agreeable.

I’m fully expecting to get rejections from everywhere I apply, I will try applying again to them perhaps in 2021, just to keep in the forefront of their minds?

I am more frustrated by the fact a friend has just got in with a vets in the south east. Opportunities are not so great in this area, unfortunately :(

RE: after 10 years, trying again

starla — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 14:49:08 GMT

Thanks for your reply.

I’m in Cornwall. I’ve so far applied to all practices in my area, I would be willing to consider North Devon, too, in my search.

I’ve had four rejections so far, three citing corona, one who just didn’t have any vacancies.

RE: after 10 years, trying again

Ben Ogden — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 13:48:59 GMT

It's hard getting into the Veterinary field, it's even harder now with every practice trying to maintain it's biosecurity. Stress levels are up and the thought of supporting any work exp is for most out of the question. I feel for you and share your discomfort. Are there anyone from the colleges on here? give some insight, why so much bureaucracy barring people from entering the profession?

Starla, it's a hard and rewarding job and for the most part IS welcoming, it's just not easy to 'get in', we've had mandates from higher up catagoryically saying NO Work Exp or students of any kind.

Theres a good community here, lets see if theres a way we can help, what area are you in and what radius are you prepared to travel?