getting a training practice

Re: getting a training practice

Honeybadger — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:01:29 GMT

[quote user="Tracy Windler RVN"]

From my experience of dealing with work placements at our practice, I would say wait for a job to be advertised before sending your cv/letter etc. I have been instructed to throw away or reply "no thanks" to so many promising looking applicants, just because there was no vacancy at the time.

None of my practices have ever held on to good cv's to contact them when there is a vacancy, I don't suppose they have to. I know some people seem to have been lucky and gained an interview this way, but I don't think it is the norm. Perhaps just don't rely on this and refrain from applying just because you sent a cv in a few months ago??

[/quote]

My practice has just employed a nursing assistant because she sent her CV in a few months ago. The practice manager keeps all good CV's and does refer to them when looking to employ. I guess it saves the cost and time of placing an advert.

I also got my first Saturday job by randomly sending in my CV and a covering letter.

Re: getting a training practice

Honeybadger — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:58:34 GMT

[quote user="Sal (the 1st) Holesworth VN CMH Chyp (M)PNLP"]

for what its worth this is my take on this. There are more and more people applying for training places as already mentioned with diplomas and degrees in animal management and other qualifications. I feel that in some cases (not all) practices are a bit wary of taking on academics - I have discussed this with a couple of vets and it would seem that their expectation is that somebody with a degree is

a) going to be expecting a fairly decent wage (which doesnt really equate with the wage of a trainee veterinary nurse)

b) most probably lacking in practical experience (which may or may not be true - it depends a lot on the individual)

c) may already have learnt stuff for the degree which will conflict with what the practice requires

I dont necessarily agree with all of the above - but having discussed this I can appreciate the reasoning behind some practices not taking on those with degrees

another couple of comments came up

that trainee veterinary nurses are pretty much starting out from the bottom and those with diplomas and degrees may not be happy to do this ( the actual comment was 'some of them have ideas above their station')

and the old chestnut that keeps cropping up 'academics are not practical people' - ie they can be difficult to train

BTW I do not necessarily agree with these last two either

[/quote]

I think that I was lucky that I got to prove that I was willing to muck in and start from the bottom doing the dirty work when I had my Saturday job. I came in during the week sometimes and watched ops and would then hoover and mop and do general cleaning for the nurses. I spent pretty much my first year in practice cleaning, on reception, assisting in consultations etc.

I agree that having a degree can put some people off. I applied for some admin jobs before I decided to start nursing and they wouldn't employ me as they said I was over qualified!

Re: getting a training practice

Tracy Windler RVN — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:09:04 GMT

Stick at it and do lots of reading, research and saving money before-hand, as training jobs are notoriously badly paid and you might have other expenses to cover, such as transport to college, books, registration fees etc.

Re: getting a training practice

clairelajm — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:52:13 GMT

Thanks all you have been giving good advice.

I guess I will keep trying even if it means doing voluntary work.

Re: getting a training practice

loopylou711 — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:12:35 GMT

[quote user="Claire Tyler"]

companion care have quite a few nurse assistant jobs goin atm, dont know exactly wat u need for that though. Redhill is a brand new surgery. Hope this helps, if not sorry.

http://www.companioncare.co.uk/permanent-vacancies.html

[/quote]

2 in Scotland, will fill in and apply tommorow! cheers claire!!

Re: getting a training practice

Claire Tyler — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:56:30 GMT

companion care have quite a few nurse assistant jobs goin atm, dont know exactly wat u need for that though. Redhill is a brand new surgery. Hope this helps, if not sorry.

http://www.companioncare.co.uk/permanent-vacancies.html

Re: getting a training practice

Ashleigh Parker — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:53:59 GMT

Yes, I am aware of what you was commenting on. I wasn't specifically replying to you, just wanted to get a point across!

Don't give up trying to find a place, there will be a practice somewhere just waiting for you to come along!

Re: getting a training practice

Sal the 1st — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:48:26 GMT

er, I wasnt commenting on the degree nurses v NVQ debate. I was commenting on folks that are struggling to find a training place to train as a veterinary nurse and even tho they have diplomas and degrees in animal management are not being able to find places.

I wonder how many people are/ have been 'sold' animal management courses and qualifications as an entry to veterinary nurse training ?

Re: getting a training practice

Ashleigh Parker — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:21:26 GMT

Count yourself lucky you don't have a degree then! I hate the banter about degree nurses over NVQ, it's getting rather old. I can say that a lot of my coursemates do well practically. And tell me this, why is it that 100% of students get a job in practice after completing the degree? (Well they do at my uni). Obviously doing something right. We get slatted for seeing things from a different view as we are taught to think about things more and from a different perspective. The term 'academics are not practical people' may apply to some degrees, but not this one!

I'm not getting at you Sal, I'm getting at all the anti-degree people out there! And no, I do not think degree is better than NVQ. The majority of nurses I have worked alongside are/were NVQ, and are fantastic at their job!

Re: getting a training practice

Sal the 1st — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 16:36:23 GMT

a) going to be expecting a fairly decent wage (which doesnt really equate with the wage of a trainee veterinary nurse)

b) most probably lacking in practical experience (which may or may not be true - it depends a lot on the individual)

c) may already have learnt stuff for the degree which will conflict with what the practice requires

I dont necessarily agree with all of the above - but having discussed this I can appreciate the reasoning behind some practices not taking on those with degrees

another couple of comments came up

and the old chestnut that keeps cropping up 'academics are not practical people' - ie they can be difficult to train

BTW I do not necessarily agree with these last two either

Re: getting a training practice

Nick Shackleton — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:52:27 GMT

I think the main problem is that many colleges/universities are now offering full time nursing courses it is cheaper for veterinary practices to employ people for placements rather than taking them on full time and send them to college/university part time. Not just the expense but also time off for college attendance but also exams nad time off for studying.

So 'in service' training positions will be few and far between.

Keep looking though

Re: getting a training practice

Honeybadger — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 09:16:07 GMT

I feel very lucky. Within a few weeks of sending off my CV I had a Saturday job in a local vets. Then a few months later a job came up in the main hospital and they offered it to me! I did have to change practices after a year because they decided to stop training nurses but once you have your foot in the door and have experience it is so much easier. I would recommend as much work experience with animals as possible. I worked for Pet Pals for a while as a dog walker/cat sitter to gain some animal experience as my previous background was doing a Buisness degree!

Re: getting a training practice

clairelajm — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 07:16:27 GMT

Thanks everyone for your advice. I feel im fighting and losing battle. I will keep trying fingers crossed volunteering gets me somewhere but that never pays the bills so hopefully something comes up soon

Re: getting a training practice

Brogan Proud — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 22:50:37 GMT

oh just stick at it your luck will change - i sent my CV in everywhere up in newcastle never heard anything as they were all full or werent TP's moved to the harrogate area and within months was a TVN! so it does happen just keep fighting for it - dont lose hope!!

xxx

Re: getting a training practice

Shelley French — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:02:49 GMT

I was trying for just over a year, I went on the RCVS website and literally sent handwritten CVs and covering letters TO NEARLY ALL of the TPs in England (obviously not all, but as many as I could as I was willing to relocate anywhere)... as luck would have it, I'm now working as a Kennel Assistant in a TP not too far from where I live!! They take in a fair few students so I'll have to wait a couple of years till I start my NVQ - but that's fine as I'm getting a lot of experience and pretty much doing what the proper student nurses are doing... and I've even opted to do a correspondence Animal Nursing Assistant course whilst I wait (despite having the grades to go straight to NVQ). I had a lot of failed interviews before I got this and was almost about to give up before my TP contacted me saying they liked my CV (which I had sent them months prior) and wanted an interview.. I didn't even get it straight away as they chose another girl over me because she could drive - but something happened and a few more months after that they rang me up and said if I wanted the job I could have it!!! Just keep trying and don't give up! *sends lots of luck your way* :):) xx

Re: getting a training practice

Sally Seddon — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:43:37 GMT

My advice would be to just keep trying, you will get there in the end! Ive been trying to get a training position for 10 years, ive been nursing for 3 years now and thanks to the new training im *hopefully* starting my proper training in september

Re: getting a training practice

Eileen Lee — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:45:30 GMT

I think Medivet may be lookin for people, thats if you live in the London area. The website is www.medivet.co.uk.

Good Luck

Re: getting a training practice

Ashleigh Parker — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:23:49 GMT

I think the thing is not to give up. Keep applying yourself. Good luck

Re: getting a training practice

Nicola Russell — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:47:30 GMT

I know how you feel, I've just completed a degree in animal science, care and management, how experience with small, large and wild animals and had interview for vet nurse assistant and didn't get that.