Curious

Re: Curious

Phrin Vernon RVN — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:10:39 GMT

I think I was just born to be a vet nurse! Careers advice was awful - I was given the option of vet or groom if I wanted to work with animals, and told that I shouldn't go down that route (groom) as my grades were far too good. So I went to college, but didn't really enjoy it, dropped out and got my first job as a SVN. Immediatley knew I had hit gold! This was what I wanted to do!

Due to various personal circumstances, I have never managed to complete training, but now have my L3 portfolio signed off, have just sat my practicals, and have my theorys in Nov. I am sooo excited and scared all at the same time! I have been in this job for 12 years, so know all about the ups and downs, but I really couldn't imagine doing anything else.

I really enjoy the theory behind what we do, why we do it, and how we, as nurses can play a pivitol role in cases. I am 100% behind the regulation, and the recognisation of the title 'Veterinary Nurse'

Re: Curious

Nichola231 — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:09:07 GMT

Good decision Forlan!

Re: Curious

Forlan — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:10:29 GMT

Hi,

I am new to the forum and new to vet nursing. I got a place at CAW in Edinburgh to start in September, very excited!!

When I was at school I knew I wanted to work with animals, so went to speak to my careers advisor, who gave me incorrect information. I had decided to leave school anyway, and because I was classed as a Christmas leaver, my guidance teacher arranged work experience with a local nursery. I really enjoyed it, and as I was led to believe my option of working with animals was out of the question decided to follow this career. I worked in nurseries for 9 years, however felt it wasn't completely what I wanted to do and decided to start training as a midwife. During 9 months of the first year of training, I realised I didn't like it, and began searching for a way that I could start a career with animals. I knew a bit about Vet Nurses, so looked into this and it all seemed to click....I should have been doing this years ago! So, I left uni, applied for college and arranged work experience. It's all been a bit of a blur so far to be honest, but so excited to finally be doing what I wanted to do all those years ago!

So that's me, and my ridiculously long answer

Re: Curious

Nichola231 — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:31:01 GMT

I completed my art degree last summer but I always wanted to work in a Vets from a young age. I wasn't allowed to study biology at A level for reason unknown so I was pushed down the art route. I don't regret it. Had the best time at Art College and meet wonderful people but before I started my final year I realised this wasn't want I wanted.

Finished uni and decided to just go for it! Enrolled on the Veterinary Care Assistants course, was first to finish and now I'm looking for a SVN position. Careers advice was awful! I think they expected me know everything because I was older. I have been left to my own devices so applying for jobs, interviews and gaining experience I have to do myself.

Re: Curious

loobylou — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 09:47:53 GMT

My careers advise was terrible! I got good grades at school and all my careers teacher did was try to persuade me to train as a vet! I tried to explain uni was not for me and I wanted to be more on the hands on side but I was told I was wasting my grades. It was through me talking to the nurses on my work exp that I got details for the local training agency and registered with them.
I didn't really have any expectations of the job but can honestly say I wouldn't change my job for anything

Re: Curious

Kim Buckley — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 07:24:06 GMT

I've always wanted to work with animals but no way clever enough to be a vet.

Volunteered at Tiggywinkles from the age of 16 and being a VN really appealed to me however I really wanted to go to uni. When I started looking at uni courses during my A levels I was looking at doing zoology but then saw that you could do a VN degree and the rest is history

Re: Curious

Lindsay Ward — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:34:39 GMT

I recently decided to look into becoming a VN. Previously I was at uni doing a Law degree and getting good grades. I decided to leave my degree a couple of months back as a few truths came to light about my uni and the profession and decided it was not for me for many reasons. I also am a part qualified accountant and had a good job working for ITV to which I just did not find rewarding enough and found that I am more of a peoples person and hands on. I have been brought up in the pub/restaurant trade since the age of 13 and also worked abroad 4 times and was cabin crew for 2 years. So, as you can see I have had many different job roles. It may seem that I don't really know what I want but as my mother once said to me some people can work their whole lives and not truly know what they want. However, the one thing I do know is that I am very much a peoples person and love to of help to them and it doesn't matter what I get paid it is most rewarding to see somebody smile because of something I did (sorry if this sounds cheesy).

I have been looking into the VN career path mainly because I had never really known what it was about and what you needed to get into it. I have always had a great love for animals and have been brought up around them my whole life but sort of had a 1 tracked mind thinking I am not clever enough to be a vet and not considered the other careers with animals. Having looked it up on the internet I have found many useful sites with lots of useful information about what is involved, the skills needed, the pay, and where to look for the vacancies as well as the entries via college/university.

The hard part for me at the moment is finding places to get work experience although as I do not live in the area I am looking I am sure it will be a whole lot easier when I move in a few weeks.

The job itself to me seems like it will be very hard work but just as much rewarding and if it means doing what you love doing then that is the most important thing no matter the pay etc.

Hope this helps, if there is anything more you would like to know from me just let me know.

Lindsay

Re: Curious

Felicity Caldwell — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:05:33 GMT

Mmmm...I think I was pretty lucky to get my job and training as a VN. I remember going through all sorts of career phases when I was 14...I wanted to be a dance teacher, then I want to be an air hostess, then I wanted to be fast jet pilot...and then I wanted to be a Vet!!!

It wasnt until I got my higher exam results that I decided I would try to be a VN. To be honest I was soooo disappointed that I didnt get the grades to be a vet and it did feel like I was taking the "second best" option of becoming a VN. But now...I wouldnt change it for anything - nursing for me is just the most important aspect of my life!!!!!

I was pretty much left to my own devices at school to find out about veterinary careers - the careers advisor had the attitude of "well becoming a vet is an impossible...you will never make it". I do wish that there was more info available to me at the time...but heyho...im qualified and loving it now!!!!! At the time, my parents had a diabetic dog so caring for her andf giving her insulin injections was also a great motivation for my nursing career!!!