I am seriously considering training to be one. But have never known a vet nurse.
I will ask at my vets when I go and pick up Gemmas ashes(fitting time as she has helped me hopefully decide what I want to do with my future) but if anyone on here is a vet nuirse and can tell me what it really involves, noit just what it says on web sites.
Lea.

How about doing some "work experiance" at a local vets. You could even go to several practices to see what you like. Lots of vets take 16 year olds on school work experiance so im sure they would be more than happy to let you. After all, you'd be helping them out by maybe walking a  few dogs/cleaning cages, in return for some hands on experiance - GO FOR IT!!!

Think Lea, is a little bit older than 16!  ;) MunsterSue who sometimes comes on this board is a VN, you could PM her!

Thats what I am going to look into.
As I know Jim, who owns my vets. and the person thatr owns one of the other 3 vets in sleaford has children that go to the kids nursery. So have 2 optons there.
I will ask, I hope I can.
Lea.

Yep am nearl;y double 16. Also my vets seem to know I know how to look after animals, they have all proven that in the last 8 weeks.
So Will talk to them. I would do an afternoon every so often for free if it gave me experience and showed what I was lketting myself in for.
Will Pm em her tomorrow :)
Lea.

I'm not a VN, jsut a vets receptionist. Its a great job, but much like human nursing, it tends to be long, sometimes unsociable hours for not very much money, particularly for the cpuple of years when your training. I only work 25 hours a week and yet my monthly earnings is only just a bit less that the trainee VNs. (and i'm only just above minimum wage per hour as i am training as well.) Yet they are working long hours, 1 night duty a week and about 1 weekend in 6.
Its a varied job, monitoring anesthetics, caring for animals in hospital, cleaning kennels, running tests in the lab, doing weight watchers, post op checks etc In many cases i would imagine its very rewarding. I considered doing it myself, but the long hours and pay put me off, but then i still get to do many of the nursing jobs as a receptionist so i still get some of the interesting parts.

Good for you Lea - I hope you get on okay,

Maxine

I'm currently working as a Veterinary Nursing Assistant, which is how you start off before you go into the VN training. I'm next on the list so hopefully starting my training in the next year to 18 months, fingers crossed!
I'll star with the positives! The job satisfaction is one of the best things, nursing an animal through to full health and seeing it go home with an over the moon owner is a feeling that can't be beaten. You also get to meet brilliant people and animals everyday, work with dedicated, like minded people and go home feeling liek you've really made a difference. I always say it's the kind of job that can boost your confidence sky high but on the down side I've had days where I've wondered why I'm even bothering! The pay is shocking, as a trainee, or VNA, you'd most likely be on minimum wage and as a qualified VN a good wage would be £14,000 to £16,000 depending on where and who you work for. It can be so frustrating sometimes you'll want to scream, be it because of the vets(!) the clients and even the animals...although to be fair to them it's usually because of the owners!!
But at the end of the day it is a brilliant profession to be in, I feel very lucky to be in the position I'm in now, and I cannot wait to start my training BUT it is a huge learning curve for anyone going into it without experience.
If it's something you really feel you want to go for then go for it, I decided at the beginning of the year that I wanted to go for it and I started the job in July. I have to drive an hour every day to get to work as trainee/VNA positions are few and far between, despite there being a really need for qualified nurses, and it's hard work but well worth it!
Any questions you want to know about the reality of working in practice then ask away :)

Emily, thankyou
how old are you?
I am 30 and a single mum. So things are going to be hard for me if I do do this.
Being mature dwhat qualifications do you need???
(shovelling sh*$ doesnt bother me, was looking after 30 dogs at the age of 14!!!)
Going to talk to my vets who know me after the past year with Gemma, but I only see that bit, and know the other bits, like cleaning, ops etc.
Is there the equivalent opf nurse practitioners in the vet world??
Lea.

No problem :)
I'm 22 so decided a little late than most but talking to our head nurse yesterday she believes that older/more matur students tend to do better as the NVQ takes two years and is quite intensive so a bit of age and experience works very much in your favour.
I have heard of 40+ year olds starting and successfully completing their training so don't be put off! The actual training involves going to college in blocks of 2 weeks 3 to 4 times a year for 2 years, the college we use is 3 hours away so commuting would be very tiring hence why it's residential.
As a starting point if would be a good idea to contact the BVNA [url=http://www.bvna.org.uk/]
With regards to qualifications I have a National Diploma in Animal Management but as a mature student then experience and keenness to learn would probably be enough to see you right but check with the BVNA. As alot of people go into it straight from school then passes at GSCE/O level is English, Maths and Science would be a good idea too.
Once qualified there are many paths you can take with nursing, just staying in 'normal' practice, where you can run nurse clinics, advising owners about worming, weight issues, age, dental health etc, working for someone like the Blue Cross or RSPCA, or going to one of the big referral hospitals like the Queen Mother in Herts(where you can specialise in, say, theatre, intensive care etc), going into teaching or assessing new trainee nurses, nursing opens up lots of doors.
HTH :)
Emily

Hi

I wanted to train as a vets nursing assistant as I dont have the qualifications to train as a nurse. But I couldnt get a vet to employ me to do my training. It was also going to cost me a far amount of money to pay for the course but I was prepared for that if it got me the job I wanted. I would of had to do home study as there isnt a college near me that I could do the course at.

I spoke to a lot of surgeries and they all said the same thing they cannot afford to take someone on purley to train them. The rules of the training is you have to be employed for so many hours per week so you cant even do it unpaid. I got talking to my local vet and he said they just dont have the spare cash and most practices will only take on someone who is trained as they have so few staff. I offered to send him my details so he could keep me on record if they needed anyone and he said not to bother as they have a very low turn over of staff and they get hundreds of letters per month from people wanting jobs that they dont keep any at all. If they do have a vacancy they tend to have someone waiting in the wings to fill it and if not they advertise and are over run with applicants.

I was really disapointed as I know i can do the job standing on my head but there is just not a place for me. I am a mum with kids and dont drive so I am restricted to how far I can travel so that didnt help, I check the local papers ever week just to see if there is any vacancies even if it is a cleaners job but at least it would get me a in and get noticed if a proper vacancie came up

Good luck

Wendy

My friend did an 'OCN' course in Animal Nursing- it was quite a short course but a brilliant one to begin with she said. 

Lea go for it!  I'm 28 and have just left accounts to become a 'student support worker' in a school working with kids with ADHD etc :-D  It started because my Son was diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago and since that I've been considering becoming part of the team that makes a difference.  I have just been made redundant from work a fortnight ago and thought what the he*k- I'm starting a C&G course in Jan in 'Learning Support' :-D

Stacey x 

Hi Lea,

As Christine mentioned earlier in this post I am a VN or RVN now we have been regulated. Don't let age worry you about training, at our practice we currently have a 35yr + finishing off her level 3 - she only works part time and has 3 kids and although she has found it tough at times - light is nearly at the end of the tunnel.

I think finding a training practice that has a position is the hardest part on the ladder to becoming a vet nurse. The training practices need to be able to cover the range of topics that need to be carried out in order to complete the practical aspects of the training. Smaller practices may not have the range of equipment, where as referral practices may not have the caseload scope. List of all uk training practices is here :http://www.rcvs.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=89968
The required qualification for a Registered Vet Nurse is the NVQ - usually day release to a local (ish) college. NVQ Level 2 involes 2 written multiple choice papers + portfolio that covers the foundations of nursing. NVQ Level 3 involes 2 written multiple choice papers,4 practical examinations and portfolio of cases from a variety of situations.
The other way of becoming a RVN is by running the NVQ alongside a Degree - training is longer, usually carried out by larger colleges/universities, the setup of the course/s varies with each centre. The only great benefit of the degree route (imo) is that there are more possiblilites at the end ie working for pharmaceutical companies, food companies, research, education, management.
There is also a specialised Equine Vet Nurisng Qualification run under a similar NVQ system.

The job itself is quite varied, as you would expect it has its highs and lows. As others have said the hours are generally pretty horrendous as full time and the pay isnt that fab. Some practices also require you to do out of hours work - most practices would expect you to work rota on weekends and some will expect you to do night work of some sort.

As to finding jobs the Vet Nursing Times weekly newspapers is the best place to look. Haven't been able to find a link for it unfortunately though.

Sue

i am a qualified veterinary nurse as well as a college lecturer, firstly dont let your age stop you! i know lots of mature students who are doing very well.
if you have GCSES of c or above in english, maths, science & one other then you have the qualifications to get straight on the course, however if it has been a while scince you were in education or didnt get the qualifications then their are several options. you could do a level two animal care cousre ( BTEC first diploma gives the equvilaent of GCSES & enables you to get on the nursing cousre) at college whilst doing work experience at a vets. ( this could be useful as lots of jobs are gained this way) or you could also do the ANA course, but as has been said before you would need to be employed at a vets for this.
good luck & let us know how you get on. :D

Sorry I havnt replied, I havn't been up to thinking about anything in the last couple of months :( :(
Right, I have had a quick chat with a head practice vet nurse that went from me to Head nurse in 6 years.
She went in as a Nursiung assistant,. And she has a booklet thart I need to read when I pick it up from a mutual mate :)
So it is looking more promising that I could do it :)
Only problem I have now is getting the guts up to cut all ties with the job I am doing now.
I have been working for /with my father for 9 1/2 years since I was 21 and 2 months before that I left my husband. So that means I have never truely been independant. I now want to be but at the age of 30 with 2 kids and the fact if I leave the business Dad will have to change ALOT including their way of life, It is very very very difficult to actually bite the bullet and dpo it.
At the moment I am looking into it, and until I know I 100% want to do this I will not say I am going. My mum already knows I am looking into it :)
So HOW do you change your life ????
AghhhhhhhhhhhhhhSorry for ranting
Lea :)

You my dear have the perfect situation for changing your life - I think. Couldn't you work with your dad part-time when you weren't in classes. Start school and see how you get on. When I was 18 I managed to work full time and take a full course load at Uni. I didn't have children so you wouldn't be able to squeeze quite so much in but you might be able to test the waters so to speak without giving up your job completely. I'm sure you could wangle some deal from the boss. :-D

But some how I need a clean break as I want to be a duaghter again :(
And from what I know I will need to work near enough full time and do day release at college to get qulifictaions, so I will be earning and studying"!!!!!
So I dont think I can do both.
Thing is being 30, single mum, 2 kids, 2 dogs, a house, debts, I havnt a clue how I can break the umbilical coard and go it on my own!!!! LOL
Lea :)

Well, my sister went and got herself a rich husband from a dating agency! LOL :-D

Tough one Lea. I couldn't afford to leave my job so understand your dilemma.

lea, if you want to do it you will find a way.  Working part time may be an option and looking into benefits etc to add to your new wage might also be an option.  Looking for someone you could recommend to help your dad out so he won't be left in the lurch would maybe help him out.

with regards to how to change your life - just do it!  BUT and it is a big but, if you do it without planning it is more likely to fail.  With current interest rates fluctuating mortgage payments are likely to be all over the place and following your dream but being too skint to do other things you enjoy (e.g. dogs, running etc) is no life.

everybody is different about the levels of risk they are willing to take but when I have a decision to make I always think about when I am lying on my death bed, what regrets will I have?  Will I regret staying in a job I hate, comprimising on something I shouldn't have or watching too much tv, being addicted to champdogs (LOL).  you get the drift.  good luck.

Problem is, I live on the edge money wise already and thats in a job I have been doing for 9 years, but It will never change,
I read an aticle in Telgraph saying you should never live for what you are expected to do by your parents. and live for saying, if so and so could see me now.
Well thats what I feel. I dont want to live for my parents anyomore. and I want to do the unexpoected. Which I cant do at the moment!!!!
I WILL do it, just when I have no idea :( :(
Lea :)

You are at a good age to do it, you only have one life and this is NOT the rehersal, dont know who it was said that, but certainly wise words!
Tell your father, or ask your mum to help you, but start planning now, set yourself some goals..............go girl.

Karen :-)

I have a;lready said to mum that I dont want to carry on with working for dad, her answer, pay rise!!!! But she knows I am not happy.
But am going tpo collate all the info and show her it. But no point in rocking the boat until I know everyting I am letting myself into"!!!!
Next step. work experience!!!!
Am sure Beano is due for boosters soon. And I can book appointment with the owner of vets who has known me since I was a kid as mum and dad used to have loads of animals so was always at the vets!!!
So if I ask him for a days wprk experience he should help out :) :)
Lea :)

Lea, whatever your decision, and whenever you choose to do it.  May I wish you all the luck in the world.  Jean

People are generally more receptive to change when you go to them with solutions rather than problems so if you have thought through some of the things people are likely to throw at you (e.g. parents, children, partner, bank!!) then they will see that you are serious, it isn't just a whim and that you are taking responsibilities seriously.  Just because you are a daughter/parent/pet owner etc doesn't mean you can't have drastic change in your life.

my favourite saying is that if you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you always got.  If you are looking for satisfaction and fulfillment in your life then it sounds like you need to do things differently to get a different result.  Best wishes, change is difficult at times but as long as you keep the end goal in sight it will be worth it.

Nice post Ali.

Lea, as someone who is going through a hopefully life changing experience at the moment, I would say go for it now!  The longer you leave it the harder it will become to finally do what you want to.  In your circumstances, there is funding available to pay for your course, and help towards other costs and maintenance etc.  Childcare costs may not be such an issue as both Sam and James are at school but there are also grants etc for this.

Just had a quick look, so by no means exhaustive, at say Nottingham Trent Uni there is an ideal Foundation Degree in Vet Nursing there and is only 2 years.  To do a course like this or any other obviously requires some work experience and timewise, you would probably now be looking at starting a course in Sept 09.  This means that you would have from now until you applied for a course (Christmas ish this year) to gain valuable work experience.  You gain just as much knowledge attending work experience say once a week over a longer period of time, say 6 months, than a 2 week solid block.  This would also show commitment as you are prepared to put the time and effort in long term as well as helping you make your mind up as to whether this is something you definitely want to do.  Doing it this way could mean that you could continue working for your dad until such time as you are then ready to give it up.

Noone is going to deny that it will be hard work whichever route you finally decide to take, whether it be getting a placement and training while you work or completely submersing yourself into a full time course.  But whichever route you do decide to take, there are plenty of people on here who have been through or still going through the same thing so advice/suggestions will always be plenty!  (talking from my own experiences ;))
Kerri x

lea i couldn't encourage you more to go to uni/college and become a vet nurse! i don't know how it works in england but up here universities give you loads of help with childcare costs (one girl i know even got help with her mortgage) there is no deniging thats its hard work for a mum but genuinely from my experiance the parents in my course do MUCH better that the "classic" students. prime example, my sis started the same course as me and graduated last year, my nephew was 1 yr old when she started, she received the only 1st class degree in sociology last year and received an award for being the best student out of our whole school (big geek lol). she says she works so hard to make sure she can provide Kai a with a great future, and i'm quite certain you'd be the same ;) as to your parents they'll come around, they'll really just want to see you happy.

lea i am a veterinary nurse in scotland, and i really love my job!
i started out doing a zoology degree at university and decided it didnt suit me and spent the next 2 years doing voluntary work for a few vets including a PDSA, who are great, and working with horses for experience. i then started at edinburghs telford college and started straight on the nursing course. there is a pre VN course that lasts a year and you have the option to do that first, but i chose to go straight onto the course. i qualified a year and a half ago, such a great feeling.
I work in a large referral practice, so I see lots of very interesting cases daily. I mainly work in medicine wards so daily i clean out kennels, medicate all the patients, including tablets and various forms of injections. I take blood samples many times a day and run diagnostic tests on them in our inhouse lab. I spend time walking them and also feeding them. I place intravenous catheters and work out fluid rates for sick animals and spend time dressing wounds and doing basic check overs.
I also work in the theatre area where I help prep the animals for surgery and assist with procedures. I am also involved in the recovery of these patients.
I am also being trained in the exotic animals, and work routinely with iguanas, snakes and various types of lizards.
I also spend some time with owners, being a sympathetic ear or hearing about the good times they have with their animals.
sorry for being long winded, just thought i would let you know a typical day for me. It is a highly enjoyable profession, and very rewarding but as others have said there are downsides. The main one is the pay, its rubbish! I am probably on a higher pay scale than normal practices but i aint ever gonna be rich!!
also can be unsociable working hours, i work weekends and late shifts, and as a student had to occasionally do nightshifts, and it can be hard going, and very physical work, constantly lifting dogs, turning recumbant patients, dealing with dogs that seem never to have been introduced to a lead!!!

please give it a chance, and dont let your age put you off, the average age in my class was 25-26, with a few over 30 and one woman of 45!
wish you all the best!