Daughter- veterinary nursing-Help!

[sykokat]

Hi. I don't often post on here but would be very grateful for some advice. My 16yr old (nearly 17) is planning on going into vet nursing. She is currently at 6th form but is not happy. She has said she wants to crack on with the v nursing. I want to know how she can go about it. We live in suffolk so Otley college would be the nearest for her. What courses would she need to do and would it be better for her to train in a practice? If so, how do we need to go about achieving this? I know this is a long, big ask but can any of you help?x

 

[Wishful]

Practice with day release to college is the way the nurses at OH's practice do it. BUT pay is rubbish, and at most practices nurses have to do on call. Quite a lot of the nurses I know through my OH have second jobs, or live with parents/higher earning partners.

Has she done work experience.

 

[Annie&Amy]

I've been a nurse for 17yrs, training is at a practice with day release to college. She needs to get place at college first and then look for a vet practice. Course is two years but normally longer as depends when you can sit exams. It is hard to find placements as lots of student nurses looking. The training is hard as you have to fit it in while doing a full time job as well!!

Saying that I love my job, I've worked for the same practice since I left school and they're like my family but I work very long hours for not brilliant money.

I'd advise she gets as much work experience as possible to make sure it is really want she wants to do and also look on royal college of veterinary surgeons website (rcvs) and British veterinary nursing association (bvna) websites.

By the way vet nurse training is changing next year but nothing has been approved yet so keep checking with college etc xx

 

[sykokat]

Thanx guys. Yes she has done work experience at a local small animal practice, animal sanctuary and been around horses most of her life. Not alot phases her but she is very sensitive and practical. This is something she has wanted to do for a long time, just knowing where to start.x

 

[fatpony]

If she only has 6 months or so left of school then I`d advise her to keep her head down finish and get as many qualifications as she can. Spend the time contacting the nursing college, organising placements etc. College wont start till autumn anyway and at least she`ll have more to fall back on if it doesnt happen or if she decides to leave nursing later on.
Its a job youve got to love - its incredibly badly paid and long hours but obviously rewarding