Hi

I have been looking for a job for a while and getting no were fast. I have been to a few interviews and no luck. Part of the problem is I am going for jobs I dont really want and that probably comes across in the interview. I dont have any qualifications and have had no proper training apart from the job I am doing at the moment and I am not enjoying it.

I think it is time to turn everything around and retrain to do something I do want to do.  My biggest love is animals and I have always worked with them up till having my kids but then I still have had loads of pets and I breed and show rabbits ect.

I was thinking about a Vets nurse but I dont have the qualifications so instead have enquired about a animal nursing assistant. I have to work at a vets and attend college either day release or distant learning.   Just working at the vets would do me with out the qualification but I want to do it properly.  Problem is the course isnt cheap and as i want to work part time I wont be getting paid a lot. But hopefully when qualified i would be able to do more hours and earn more.

So has anyone done this or know anyone who has done it? How did they find the course?  My hubby said it sounds like a vets skivvy by a posh name is this true. I dont actually mind that so much as long as I am getting paid and working with animals

And finally am I mad to even concider this at my age 42???

What do you think

Thanks

Wendy

How about working at one of the RSPCA/PDSA Hospitals/Rehoming Centres, Dogs Trust or the Blue Cross ?

Not all of the staff are volunteers and do get a salary :)

No 42 is not at all old to try anything ;)

Best of luck :)

Lucy
xx

Hi there

I was considering this.  When I phoned about courses etc, they said i had to find a vets that would be happy with me training there.  Trying to find one is easier said than done as there are so many people who want to do this.  I would get the yellow pages out and start working your way though. 

Good Luck and let us know how you get on

Hi

I think it has to be a vets surgery but if I could get a paid job in the other places that would be ok.

When I phoned to enquire the lady who was very nice and helpfull said so matter of factly just get a job in the vets and fill out the forms and send them back with the vets signiture. Like i was nipping to Tesco for a pint of milk.  I can imagine places are hard to find so I will have to write out a good sounding CV and stick it in the post to all the surgeries and see if anything comes of it.

Have to pay for the course to which isnt cheap but I suppose i will be doing paid work as I am doing it.

Wendy

Go for it girl!

It's never too late to change your life, and you spend alot of time at work so you might as well doing something you really want to :)

I'm wanting to train to be a vet nurse, got a few applications lined up(fingers crossed for those :D ) but am also going to write to all my local vets and the vets near where we are looking to live in the summer, hopefully get a placement there and be able to start training.

It's scary changing but fun too, don't be afraid  GO FOR IT!!

Sorry, can't help with your enquiry, but just wanted to wish you luck, it's great to finally get into a job you know you will enjoy even if it has taken to the age of 42 to find it!:-D

Go for it, hope you can find a local practice. As for being a vets skivy, well we all have to start somewhere if your interested and pick things up quickly you will soon become invaluable and work your way up. :-)

Good Luck to you - I hope you really get where you want to be.  I'm going through the same sort of thing - I'm 42 and am fed up of working in the trading rooms in the city of London been doing it since I was 17.  So we're moving to Scotland - quite what I'm going to do when I get there I'm not sure - but like you thinking of working with dogs.  Maybe start up a doggy day care kind of thing......

Its good to have dreams - I hope yours come true  :)

Maxine

It depends if you just want a job that you enjoy or want a job that you enjoy that pays a decent wage too?  I've been a veterinary nurse, run a quarantine/boarding kennel with 9 staff and the only way that I found to work with animals and make a decent living was dog grooming. :) 
If that's not important to you, then that's fine. 

Before I paid any money for a college or distance learning course, I would find a Vet who would considering offering you a paid job if you gain this qualification.  Many of these colleges tell you that their qualification will give you credibility but they want your money! ;)  Some employers would prefer to train you in their way rather than you come in with foreign ideas. :)

I made a BIG change of career at 36 and don't regret it for a minute.  Go have fun. :)

HIya
PDSA sometimes look for aca (animal care assistants) have a look on their website

Donna x
(and charlie)

Hi

Dont think I can afford to go along this route. :o((

I have to get a job with a vet. As i would want part time it has to be 20 hours per week paid. I would have to do the course for 18 months because it is part time.

The course is going to cost £509 I can get some back thorugh ILA but not a lot as i have already done another course using ILA. Then to top it all I get the registration form from the British veterinary nursing association this morning and I have to pay them £257 enrolment fee. I think that does cover this years membership fee to but not to sure about that but looks like I will have to pay next years membership to. Then all the exams cost £80 each. At least I will be earning a wage every week so that isnt so bad it is just the money I am going to have to pay up front before I can even start. Thats if I can even find a vet. O well have to put on thinking cap again. I would happily work in a vets without the qualifications if I could get a job

Wendy