Banfield "pet nurse" position?

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There's one in our town... don't know too much about them other than that it's a PITA to get records from them! :laugh:
 
Don't know from personal experience, but an acquaintance who just completed his first year of vet school is working at a Banfield. Supposedly, they bank $2500 for each summer you work there in addition to salary, so you get a $10,000 signing bonus after graduation. As for me, I am volunteering at a site that is now overseen by HSUS. I don't love them, but the site and experience are great, and as a volunteer, I don't deal with any of the bs
 
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I worked at a Banfield clinic for over a year. I left recently because they are EXTREMELY focused on profit. I know that a veterinary clinic needs to make money money in order to keep operating, but there is a difference between keeping that in mind and making it the number one priority.

The nice thing about the job was that I came in with basically no experience, and within a few months was placing catheters, monitoring surgeries, etc. If I was in your position, I would take the job but only as a stepping stone for getting into private clinics. After all the experience I gained there, I can submit a resume to any private clinic and 80% of the time I'll get an interview. You'll learn a lot working as a Pet Nurse, but you'll have to deal with a lot of crap.

The doctors, nurses, and receptionists there all loathed the company. Of course it does depend on the clinic you work at, but there is so much pressure and focus on making profits from the higher ups(who by the way, usually have never step foot into an animal hospital before being allowed to manage multiple clinics). All this pressure eventually cracks even the best doctors, and they start practicing the Banfield way.

As nurse, you'll be expected to recommend and sell Banfield's preventive care packages called "Wellness Plans" to each and every client. Even if it makes absolutely no sense for a client to invest in such a thing. The managers also keep track of your APC, which is the average patient charge per visit, and you'll be constantly reminded to make it higher. They expect each and every client to spend at least $120 per visit.

People always bad-mouth corporations. But having a business run by a corporation does have its rewards. WalMart can offer great prices on it's products because they can buy in bulk. You would think the same applies to Banfield, but being a corporation only benefits the higher ups. Procedures and drugs are WAY more expensive at Banfield than any other place I've worked. And there is no benefit in being run by a corporation to the staff at the clinics, because pay is not competitive at all.

It really depends on your situation whether you should work there or not. If you desperately need the clinical experience, take the job and start applying to private clinics a couple months later. Don't get trapped there though, because Banfield is NOT the way a veterinary clinic should be run and it will drain you. I almost decided not to become a vet because of what I experienced at Banfield.

Hope that helped a little bit.
 
Banfields do vary. I've seen and heard of crappy locations; I'm sure we all have. But others -- particularly that are franchisee-owned rather than company-owned -- may be somewhat better.

I completely agree with you that it's not worth working a crappy job. But wait to decide until you see the location to make a decision. If nothing else, you can get practice interviewing. 🙂

Good luck!

Edited to add: I posted at the same time as thereservoirdog, and don't mean to contradict her(?) at all. Her experience reflects the majority of what I've heard about Banfields.
 
thereservoirdog said:
The managers also keep track of your APC, which is the average patient charge per visit, and you'll be constantly reminded to make it higher. They expect each and every client to spend at least $120 per visit.
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I work for a Banfield right now. It's the summer Student Job Program there. I really like the people that I work with and I've learned a ton! Yes, it IS focused on profit. However, I've worked there for 8 weeks now and have never heard of an APC and have never been told to "push" a Wellness Plan. In fact, normally, it's the clients who jump on the plan. I rarely even offer it unless I truly think that it's in their best interest. We actually often times deny clients the opportunity to go on a plan because it's not necessary). But still, it is DEFINITELY profit driven; way more than any other place I've been). I guess this goes to show that every Banfield is different. (Im not trying to contradict what you said btw). Long story short, I have enjoyed working there and have learned so many great technical skills--but do I want to work there after I graduate? Nope. They actually have mock student rounds and I'm doing mine on Monday (I have to talk about a case that we had recently where a maltese had a portosystemic shunt :scared:...I haven't even started vet school yet and now I have to talk about a case that is a little bit over my head in front of tons of vet students! very nervous). So I guess that there is a vast spectrum of Banfields. I think that it's crazy how different our experiences were!
And to the OP, I'd do as thereservoirdog said as well. Take the job, get the experience that could help you get a better job. You will learn a lot very quickly, so your list of things to put on your resume will get long in no time.
 
I absolutely hate Banfield, passionately. They killed two of my pets out of sheer ignorance of, what a learned later, fairly routine illnesses. and in hindsight it was to make more money for them. (BTW it wasnt just one- after the first one I went to another thinking it would be better). they are all about making money and not about helping pets. heck just look at their vaccination schedule. I got a puppy from a shelter and they required me to vaccinate it every other week for 2 months in the end she ended up with brain damage from the high fevers and vaccine reaction (pet 3 that they harmed in order to make more money off me). and after they killed my last pet, they charged my an early termination fee for wanting to close down my health plan with them.
perhaps I just managed to find 3 different BAD banfield's but I doubt its a coincidence.
 
My brother took his dog to a Banfield because he had a spot that looked like ringworm. He called me after being there for an hour because they wanted to run a bunch more tests and do a fungal culture. I asked him if they had done a blacklight since ringworm sometimes glows under a blacklight. He then asked the tech about it (while I was still on the phone with him) and sure enough...glowing ringworm. He never went back after that. However, if it will get you experience (paid experience no less), I say go for it. While you are making money for the man, you can look for another job if you don't like it. And who knows, maybe you will get one of the good ones.
 
I interviewed with a Banfield hospital in Philadelphia for that same position. I didn't take the job because they wanted me to train with them without pay and because they were located in a section of Philadelphia that I was not all that comfortable being in. Yet they did offer to teach me everything! Considering today's job market (which sucks!😡) I would take the job if they offer it to you and then just keep applying to private clinics while you are working there. That way you will at least have a job and will be building veterinary experience. In the mean time, if something better comes along then just leave Banfield.
 
thereservoirdog said:
The nice thing about the job was that I came in with basically no experience, and within a few months was placing catheters, monitoring surgeries, etc. If I was in your position, I would take the job but only as a stepping stone for getting into private clinics. After all the experience I gained there, I can submit a resume to any private clinic and 80% of the time I'll get an interview. You'll learn a lot working as a Pet Nurse, but you'll have to deal with a lot of crap.
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I agree with thereservoirdog. I worked at Banfield for about 2 years. I came in with no experience, and I was placing caths, drawing blood, etc. within a few months. Banfield has a really good training program, which comes in handy when you don't want to pay extra for "experienced" personnel. When I moved away from Banfield, I was offered a job at an emergency center right away because of the skills I learned there.

I personally find wellness packages a good deal for young animals. I don't see why more private clinics don't offer such services where you lumping the cost of the vax series and spay/neuter together and offering it at a discount. It seems like a very good way to ensure a second visit by clients (and the completion of a vax schedule and the fixing the pet too). Now the adult wellness plans with the extra benefits might be a bit excessive.

Yes, Banfield is a corporate for-profit business which can be evil. That being said, I have seen worst private for-profit clinics. I have seen clinics where they put the animal's life at risk just to reduce the cost for the owner.

Both private and corporate clinics have their own policies (so no matter where you end up, you will still need to swallow your pride and run with the clinic policy).

In the end, every clinic, and banfield hospital, are different. When you go in for the interview, look around. Does it look clean? Does it smell? Do the animals look in comfortable condition? Are there visibly upset clients? Does the vet know what he/she is saying? Will you be comfortable working for a large business where you are a mere glimmer in their corporate eyes? Use common sense, does it look like a good clinic?
 
jpeterman13 said:
I work for a Banfield right now. It's the summer Student Job Program there. I really like the people that I work with and I've learned a ton! Yes, it IS focused on profit. However, I've worked there for 8 weeks now and have never heard of an APC and have never been told to "push" a Wellness Plan.
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There's a current job opening in my area at a Banfield right now and one of the first requirements in the listing is that you're willing and able to promote and sell Wellness Plans to patients.

I almost considered applying since while I have small animal experience, I don't have for-profit clinic experience. Honestly though, the reason I'm hoping to leave my business related job for vet school is that I'm tired of marketing crap to people that they don't actually need. The "wellness plan" is a very expensive twice a year TPR check, as far as I can tell. Services like that do nothing more than tarnish the vet profession. When my current vet office started asking "do you have food and flea solutions" with a clear agenda every time I went it, it was time for a change.

Yeah, you need to make money as a vet, but good business management practices and good medicine will get you there.
 
All I have to say is that don't write off on Banfield just because you've heard some negative things about other locations and about the chain in general. You never know, you might run into a good one, one like cowgirla described. I know it's kinda not the same, but I've worked at two different DQ stores in two different locations and they are like night and day. Unless you've heard some negative things recently about the location you've applied at, then I'd give it a shot.
 
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TheEvilShoe said:
If I end up with two offers (I know this is totally getting ahead of myself but hey haha), what would you go with?
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I don't know about your area (Banfield pay is set by the average pay of vet techs in the area), but I was making $13.00/hour. In addition, you make bonus money for generating revenue and selling wellness packages. If you do work at Banfield, just remember, the wellness plans are services lumped together, and yes they are signing a contract (and like all contracts, even gym contracts, there are conditions for terminating it... which seems to one of the major complaints online... if people would just read a contract before they signed it).

If you are reaaaaallly trying very hard to get a job at an emergency center, I would take a job that gives hands-on experience over a job that is mainly administrative. An emergency clinic wants its workers skilled. The first day on the job, even before we had opened (I was filling out tax paperwork), we had a owner banging on the door with a dog who couldn't breath... So you need to be skilled enough to jump into the deep end right away.

However, I understand the point of working with you eLOR. So it is a tough decision. But like I said, if you reeeeaaalllly, truly, very badly want to work at an E-clinic, then go with the hands on.

Good luck on both jobs!
 
BarnyardPunch said:
Yeah, you need to make money as a vet, but good business management practices and good medicine will get you there.
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Sadly, it seems that vets either have one or the other. I know if I end up owning a practice, I will hirer or partner with someone who knows how to run a business.
 
Wolphcats said:
Sadly, it seems that vets either have one or the other. I know if I end up owning a practice, I will hirer or partner with someone who knows how to run a business.
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My Grandpa's business was just this: They ran the business for doctors so that the doctors could just focus on being doctors, not business people too. I'm sure there are companies that will do that for vets! My current plan is to have my retired and bored(by the time I open my own pratice!) Dad who is a financial manager handle the business stuff 🙂
 
thereservoirdog said:
I worked at a Banfield clinic for over a year. I left recently because they are EXTREMELY focused on profit. I know that a veterinary clinic needs to make money money in order to keep operating, but there is a difference between keeping that in mind and making it the number one priority.

The nice thing about the job was that I came in with basically no experience, and within a few months was placing catheters, monitoring surgeries, etc. If I was in your position, I would take the job but only as a stepping stone for getting into private clinics. After all the experience I gained there, I can submit a resume to any private clinic and 80% of the time I'll get an interview. You'll learn a lot working as a Pet Nurse, but you'll have to deal with a lot of crap.

The doctors, nurses, and receptionists there all loathed the company. Of course it does depend on the clinic you work at, but there is so much pressure and focus on making profits from the higher ups(who by the way, usually have never step foot into an animal hospital before being allowed to manage multiple clinics). All this pressure eventually cracks even the best doctors, and they start practicing the Banfield way.

As nurse, you'll be expected to recommend and sell Banfield's preventive care packages called "Wellness Plans" to each and every client. Even if it makes absolutely no sense for a client to invest in such a thing. The managers also keep track of your APC, which is the average patient charge per visit, and you'll be constantly reminded to make it higher. They expect each and every client to spend at least $120 per visit.

People always bad-mouth corporations. But having a business run by a corporation does have its rewards. WalMart can offer great prices on it's products because they can buy in bulk. You would think the same applies to Banfield, but being a corporation only benefits the higher ups. Procedures and drugs are WAY more expensive at Banfield than any other place I've worked. And there is no benefit in being run by a corporation to the staff at the clinics, because pay is not competitive at all.

It really depends on your situation whether you should work there or not. If you desperately need the clinical experience, take the job and start applying to private clinics a couple months later. Don't get trapped there though, because Banfield is NOT the way a veterinary clinic should be run and it will drain you. I almost decided not to become a vet because of what I experienced at Banfield.

If it comes down to the two decisions, I think you need to consider what you really want/need. Money, certainly, but the Banfield job will get you the experience you need to pursue emergency work.

Hope that helped a little bit.
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This is basically exactly what my friend (in his first year of vet school) said about his experience at Banfield. He did gain a lot of knowledge quickly, and I think he worked with a really good vet who was resisting the corporation mindset, but overall it sounded like a bad experience.
 
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BarnyardPunch said:
The "wellness plan" is a very expensive twice a year TPR check, as far as I can tell.
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you are 100% wrong there...so, so wrong. It could be because I'm a part of the student program, but again, I have never been told to push a wellness plan. I'm not pro or anti Banfield--but they've given me a pretty cool opportunity and I am grateful. If you don't want to work for a Banfield, don't work for a Banfield...it's pretty simple really. I work with excellent techs and a fantastic doctor. Don't pass judgment on every location because of "what you've heard"...and for those that have experienced bad locations--consider the possiblity that you may have simply had a bad doctor. So I basically 2nd what cowgirla said, only I have a bit more to back up what I'm saying.
 
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I've got a friend that just finished her first year at vet school, and took a summer job/internship at Banfield. Yes, all of her friends make fun of her for 'working for the evil corporation'. But in all seriousness, it seems like they have an excellent training program, as well as a good mentoring set up. As far as summer jobs go, it sounds like the best option available, because any job at a private clinic, you run the risk of your mentor not giving you that 1 on 1 time, or being too tired, having a long day, etc. She's really loved it.

So from the sounds of it, use banfield as a training experience, and maybe not necessarily as a veterinarian (although I will say that I'm sure the % of good and bad Banfield's is the same as any other private/corporate vet clinic).
 
Gratz on your interview TheEvilShoe! I work at Banfields as a Pet Nurse Assistant and Ive been having an awesome experiance. I started off as a volunteer and was hired a month or so ago. I went in with exactly zero experiance or knowledge and Im learning soo much. Within weeks I learned all the lab stuff (reading fecals, snap tests, ear swabs, ect.). Right now Im learning how to express anal glands, set up IV drips, and deal with parvo dogs on my own. They say soon Ill be drawing blood and putting in catheters.

I dont have anything to compare it with but I dont think the Banfield I work at is overly money hungry. In the past two weeks we've taken in two Parvo positive dogs to treat at the hospitals expense because the original owners couldnt. We also took in a ferret because its owner wanted it euthanized for a stupid reason 🙁. We have a couple of doctors who cheat every way they can to treat the pets with less expense as well- though there is one that is fairly money orientated.

I absoultely love working there. I may end up so tired at the end of the day I just collapse at 8:30 but its a good kind of tired. I dont think I could have asked for a better place to start off at experiance wise.
 
jpeterman13 said:
you are 100% wrong there...so, so wrong. It could be because I'm a part of the student program, but again, I have never been told to push a wellness plan. I'm not pro or anti Banfield--but they've given me a pretty cool opportunity and I am grateful. If you don't want to work for a Banfield, don't work for a Banfield...it's pretty simple really. I work with excellent techs and a fantastic doctor. Don't pass judgment on every location because of "what you've heard"...and for those that have experienced bad locations--consider the possiblity that you may have simply had a bad doctor. So I basically 2nd what cowgirla said, only I have a bit more to back up what I'm saying.
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While BarnyardPunch may be wrong compared to what you've experienced in your program, I don't think it's fair to say what he said was 100% wrong.

In my original post I didn't try to exaggerate or obscure any thing at all. Selling wellness plans were a major, major aspect of the job. Things might be different in the student program you're in, but when we spend 95% of the time at meetings talking about how to improve wellness plan sales, and having to write reports on why a new client that came in didn't buy a wellness plan, it's pretty easy to see what their motives are.

In the year and a half I worked there, I actually spent a good amount of time covering shifts at other Banfield hospitals in the area. In fact, the clinic I wrote my experiences about was actually miles above the other ones in terms of being profit-driven, doctor quality, etc. And it still was a pain to work at. The other ones were pretty much assembly lines. Wait times were usually 1-2 hours, even with an appointment, and the doctors will spend 5, maybe 10 minutes with the client.

If you want a decent idea of how the average client experience is at Banfield, take a look at reviews on yelp. Then look at reviews of near by private clinics.

I'll say it again: every Banfield is different, but there's a good reason why the majority of the vets there are new grads or foreign trained. My best advice is still to take the job and get the experience, but start applying elsewhere soon. Or you may end up loving it there, who knows.
 
thereservoirdog said:
While BarnyardPunch may be wrong compared to what you've experienced in your program, I don't think it's fair to say what he said was 100% wrong.
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It is 100% wrong to say that the wellness plans are just TPR checks twice a year, no matter how you cut it. It isn't wrong to say that there are good Banfields and bad Banfields (as you stated). I think that wellness plans are appropriate for puppies, and rarely for adult dogs. I spent way more than that on my dog when I got her than what the plan would have cost me (vaccines, office calls, spay/bldwrk , fecal checks, ear swabs). Although I alter discovered that that vet was robbing me blind....prices far higher than that of Banfield. As many people have said, there are probably just as many money hungry privately owned practices as Banfields. Such a resentment should probably be held for practices like that in general, and not simply for the Banfeilds. And yes, the difference is based on what I have experienced in the program.
 
I spent 3 months at a Banfield and absolutely hated it. To be fair, a lot of it was due to the staff. Everyone on staff refused to do any kind of work at all. If a dog peed on the floor in the back, they would just step over the puddle until me or the other new girl cleaned it up.

The computer software was pretty ridiculous and forced you to do stuff you generally wouldn't--such as scheduling rechecks for every single pet, even if it didn't need it.

The limited supply of drugs is annoying too and I got sick of having to push the wellness plans since I'm definitely not a sales person.

On the bright side, as some people are saying, they will hire people with no experience, so it's a good foot in the door.
 
I would give Banfield a shot. Best case scenario is that it is a decent clinic and you'll learn a lot. Worst case scenario is that it will be horrible experience that you can then spin into a positive by mentioning it in your PS and describing why it was horrible and what your idea of good patient care is.
 
I actually just got called to interview with a Banfield in NJ for a PetNurse position on Monday. As long as they offer me a decent number of hours I am taking it. The ad said part time but it didn't list a specific number of hours/week - anyone know how many hours they usually work PetNurses for?
 
I interviewed for a full time pet nurse position, but there are some part time workers apparently. The "full time" for them is 30-40 hours, but I'd personally be hired on for 10 hour days 4 times a week, should I get an offer and accept it.

I don't know how many hours part time would include - all of my other jobs (retail, waitressing, etc.) were really dependent on the individual place, so I would just ask them during the interview 🙂
 
Thanks EvilShoe! BTW & OT - I LOVE your avatar!
 
I went on the pet nurse interview last week and they said part time would be 20-25 hours and that it wouldn't be a set schedule. This is would be in California though, so it might be different at your Banfields
 
I usually work between 28 and 35 hours every week. Noone except for the receptionists work more than that.
 
jpeterman13 said:
I usually work between 28 and 35 hours every week. Noone except for the receptionists work more than that.
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Really? I'm in the summer job program also, and if I didn't make sure I stay at 40, I would definitely go over, though to be fair the doctor who's schedule I'm following has been working extra shifts since I've started. Maybe it'll become less when my schedule switches to 4 days a week next month. Most of the full-time petnurses on my team, however, must be working more than 40 hrs...they get there no later than me, and tend to stay longer. We're a very busy location.
 
ORvetgirl said:
Really? I'm in the summer job program also, and if I didn't make sure I stay at 40, I would definitely go over, though to be fair the doctor who's schedule I'm following has been working extra shifts since I've started. Maybe it'll become less when my schedule switches to 4 days a week next month. Most of the full-time petnurses on my team, however, must be working more than 40 hrs...they get there no later than me, and tend to stay longer. We're a very busy location.
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Yea, the doctor that I follow only works 4 days a week. And there are some days when we have no appointments in the afternoon, so there's literally nothing to do/learn...so she tells me that I can bounce early when there's nothing to do. We also aren't open on Sundays and have 3 doctors. I'd like to work more.
 
jpeterman13 said:
you are 100% wrong there...so, so wrong. It could be because I'm a part of the student program, but again, I have never been told to push a wellness plan. I'm not pro or anti Banfield--but they've given me a pretty cool opportunity and I am grateful. If you don't want to work for a Banfield, don't work for a Banfield...
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Um, no, I'm not wrong. Not any more than you are wrong for posting your *personal* experience. What I posted about selling the Wellness program was based on a job listing for the Banfield nearest me and from talking with both a friend of mine who happens to be a part-time vet at one and with my next door neighbors who has the plan for their two adult dogs.

My comments about making money by marketing crap to people that they don't need was towards any Banfield and any non-Banfield doing so. Imagine if you were an average person who found out, like you mention you did, that your vet was robbing you blind. Might you start feeling about vets the way people often do about car repairmen? My point was that any business engaged in marketing shenanigans does a disservice to the profession as a whole.
 
BarnyardPunch said:
Um, no, I'm not wrong.
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Um, I'm going to say it again, saying that the wellness plan is a twice a year TPR check in inaccurate...not really up for debate (office calls, HWT, fecal check, ear swab, vaccines, COMPREHENSIVE exam,..and a dental if you choose that specific plan). If you choose the one with the dental, you ARE saving money. And no, one bad experience does not change my view of the profession. Just like going to an overpriced expensive restaurant doesn't turn me off to restaurants in general. Like it or not, these "marketing shenanigans" are here to stay in the profession, and not just at Banfields (many vets in my area sell plans). If you hate it so much, don't work there. Oh, and when your current vet started asking if you have flea and tick preventative; it's probably because he/she wanted to be sure to document that (and that he/she informed you about it) as opposed just wanting to make more money. He doesn't tell you, then your animal gets fleas and they play the "You didn't tell me about flea preventative" card. And when did it become wrong for one to post his/her personal experience? Seems like you posted your personal opinion and personal experience (with your friend and neighbors).
 
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Good lord, jpeterman. What part of it's not just about Banfield are you not understanding? I don't hate Banfield--Id' work at one, just not the Banfields near me. They are very focused on over-selling plans that YOU YOURSELF say are rarely needed for adult dogs. Second, I said I am not wrong just like YOU are not wrong for posting personal experience. The practice you are at sounds night and day to the practice I was talking about. Good for you, good for the customers and great for the animals! Please try to read more thoroughly before you reply in a nasty tone. Thx.

The OP wanted feedback on Banfield experiences. S/he didn't ask for one particular Banfield office. I offered my personal opinion about my personal experience in my own area. Everyone else seemed to be able to do the same without flying off the handle.

And yes, plans are here to stay and no, they aren't all bad. But the practices that are using unnecessary upselling DO hurt all of us. Go stand in a dog park and talk to people about their vet experiences. Or spend some time on yelp. You'll hear a lot of bogus complaints, but you'll also hear a lot of people who feel like they're getting jacked every time they go to the vet.

That is all. 🙂
 
I'm a girl btw 🙂 And wow I didn't mean for this thread to get heated sorry! But I suppose it's bound to happen when the question is about a chain of clinics rather than a private practice, what with individual differences between each location. Heck, even different TGI Friday restaurants vary widely amongst each other lol. But thank you for all the different input!
 
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BarnyardPunch said:
Good lord, jpeterman. What part of it's not just about Banfield are you not understanding? I don't hate Banfield--Id' work at one, just not the Banfields near me. They are very focused on over-selling plans that YOU YOURSELF say are rarely needed for adult dogs. Second, I said I am not wrong just like YOU are not wrong for posting personal experience. The practice you are at sounds night and day to the practice I was talking about. Good for you, good for the customers and great for the animals! Please try to read more thoroughly before you reply in a nasty tone. Thx.

The OP wanted feedback on Banfield experiences. S/he didn't ask for one particular Banfield office. I offered my personal opinion about my personal experience in my own area. Everyone else seemed to be able to do the same without flying off the handle.

And yes, plans are here to stay and no, they aren't all bad. But the practices that are using unnecessary upselling DO hurt all of us. Go stand in a dog park and talk to people about their vet experiences. Or spend some time on yelp. You'll hear a lot of bogus complaints, but you'll also hear a lot of people who feel like they're getting jacked every time they go to the vet.

That is all. 🙂
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point taken...btw it's not such a nasty tone as a blunt tone. It's important to understand that tone isn't exactly something that can be accurately determined over the internet. But I'll go ahead and land my plane and cool my jets if you can do the same. However, I am not willing to admit that the wellness plans are simply TPR checks, so I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree on that one. There are benefits, even for some adult dogs. And I've heard many complaints about bad vets, high prices, etc etc. But those complaints are often coming from people who aren't terribly educated. For example..a woman reamed me on the phone the other day bc she was "disgusted" by the fact that 4 radiographs, bldwrk/urinalysis, and a HWT cost $300. She claimed that at the human hospital that she works at (she's a nurse btw) it would be half that (- the HWT of course) 🙄. I also think that practices are at a point where overselling is becoming a necessity to stay afloat. It's unfortunate, but its reality. More and more, people are coming into the clinic with a mindset that we are money hungry monsters holding their pets health over their head unless they are willing to foot the bill.
 
TheEvilShoe said:
it pays peanuts (12.50/hr)!

I hate that pay rate also has to play a role in this, but my entire goal right now is to promote my success in vet school... which includes both getting IN (with experience/connections/understanding of the profession), as well as having the means to actually PAY for it.
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If $12.50 is "peanuts" what was the $8.00 with which I was started? Of course I only had 1 BS degree, and about 15 years of caring for my own pets, volunteering, etc. Raised to a whopping $9 after a month, when he saw all I was doing: front office, kennel, tech other than surgery, revamping all the forms, monthly billing of his wellness plan (don't go there), bringing my mom in to "volunteer" on boarding weekends when there were 15 dogs to walk by myself while checking in Monday morning clients, taking home laundry when the washer broke to name a few. But people I worked with were nice, most client PETS, and some of the clients were nice, close to home, and enough experience to get me in the class of 2014.
 
I just got called for a Petnurse interview today - no time/date yet (I was asleep when I got the call), but I'll call the lady back after work tomorrow/when I get home.

I'm super nervous! I've never done any kind of interview in this setting. And TheEvilShoe, that's not peanuts! 😱 I only make 9.93 an hour as an NAC. I would love 12.50...

AGH! So excited!

Tips/tricks? I think the only reason I got called back this time is I have CNA work on my resume now - I applied a few weeks ago (before I started my current job) and didn't get a call-back. This time, I did! GAH!

:scared:
 
Aw man, I was just getting started 😀

All joking aside, I don't run a practice so I of course don't know first hand how tough it is. It's not easy staying in business in general, but lots of offices do alright and don't seem to come off as being shady.

Btw, I looked up the Banfield offices that I was talking about on yelp a little bit ago and they get totally reamed. Maybe I should apply for that pet nurse position and tell them I'm there to save the day. 😉
 
I think when you guys are discussing how much you're paid hourly, you're forgetting that all of you are in different places in the country - different cost of living, different pay rate, etc. So as long as you're getting paid somewhat close to what is average for your area for your level of experience, be happy.
 
teatime said:
I think when you guys are discussing how much you're paid hourly, you're forgetting that all of you are in different places in the country - different cost of living, different pay rate, etc. So as long as you're getting paid somewhat close to what is average for your area for your level of experience, be happy.
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Yeah, exactly. Nobody could even come close to living on $8.00/hour in Boston without having to hang out in the Fens after hours and do questionable things for some extra $$. 😉

As far as Banfield goes, I worked for them for 3 months in Oviedo, FL. I started working there because I moved from north Seminole county to be closer to UCF, so the private practice group that I worked for previously was about 45-50 minutes away from my new place and I was in school full-time. Personally, I wasn't a fan of the way they ran things. At this particular location (don't know if it's true everywhere) the nurses had to write up all the records in the computer and the vets tended to vary so much on the input they gave. I got really sick of having to ask them if they saw anything else on exam that I should note. I hated the practice management software, too.

That said, there were some aspects I liked. I think their training overall was very thorough. They had all these modules online that you had to complete and it was good for me to actually be able to self-pace my way through them to learn more of the background behind things that I had been doing without thinking about for a year. It was also nice in some ways to have a structure in place and almost never have to worry about billing/answering the phone/filing things. The facilities were nice, too.

Ultimately I went back to the clinic that was 50 minutes away and asked if I could just come on for weekends and the occasional weekday, depending on the semester. It was just a better fit for me overall - the normal vet and receptionist at the smaller rural clinic where I spent most of my time were some of my best friends and we worked together very efficiently.

I don't have any hard feelings towards Banfield, though. Just wasn't for me. 🙂
 
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