Practice Nursing & Prescribing Course

[TheStorySoFar]

Hi, not sure if this is the right place to post. I work PT in a GP surgery. Absolutely hectic, understaffing always a big issue. Busy home life-4DC, DH job means lots of unsocial hours & time away.
Have wanted to do my prescribing course for years...My Employers have form for being less than helpful & supportive when it comes to my Colleague & I WRT training & updates. Also-they aren't united in their decision re me doing this course. Not an ideal starting position. I'm not optimistic I'll get much time or moral support from them.
The Uni Are pressing for a decision by Monday.
Anyone else done this? How much time did work allow for you & was this paid time? I'm so unsure about whether to proceed.
I'm in NI....

[Summerswallow]

Hi- I don't think this place is busy enough on the weekend or the right place to get answers, I' d repost in Chat and see if you can get some nurses/prescribers to answer! Sorry I can't help more.

[TheStorySoFar]

Thx Summer!

[dotdotdotmustdash]

DH (Band 7 community team leader and nurse-prescriber), asks the following questions...

Are you talking about the Practice Nurse postgrad course inc Prescribing or just the Prescribing course (V300)?

Is it likely to get you a band increase? Dh says it's unlikely unless they're promising it just now. He says if it's part of your current job description you should have done it before, and if it isn't then you're not likely to get any benefit from it other than more work to do in the time you have.

Who is paying for it? If you're planning to pay for it yourself, you may never see the benefit of it if you can't get a promotion. If you do want promotion it may mean full time work, further away and with lots more responsibility and stress than you have now.

He is under lots of stress in his job - same understaffing issues alongside Masters units. He says it's very noble to want to do it, but it's a lot of work and you may never feel any rewards, just more stress.

Sorry.

[TheStorySoFar]

Thx Dot. All very relevant. No, they most certainly are not promising promotion 😢. It's me pushing. And I'm sort of thinking it could be a ticket out...
They aren't paying-the Board is. But they'd have to cover some of my absences & mentor me & I can see that being a big problem & a huge stressor for both myself & my colleague.
DH & I had a long chat last night & we both decided now is not the right time. Maybe I'll get some of these issues ironed out & try again next year if I get somewhere with them W.R.T. promotion etc. Thx to your DH for taking the time to talk about it-just what I needed.

[hp2]

I know you have made your decision on what is right for you at this point in your life and career. But I am a prescriber, it's a tough course but the best I have done. I am better at my job because of it and things are easier, no waiting around outside rooms cap in hand to get a prescription signed. I am an autonomous practitioner. It also opens up more opportunities in the future as lots of surgeries are crying out for this added level of competency.Good luck in the future!

[SomedayMyPrinceWillCome]

Hi,
I have just completed my practitioner course and I really want to do my full prescribing course within the next 12 months.
I am fortunate that I work part time as my practice clinical hours had to be done in my own time. On top of the academic work, some of those in my course really struggled to get the practice hours in.
I was fortunate in that my employers (large central city A&E) were extremely supportive & have an established ENP programme in place already. However, my colleagues who are studying for the ANP qualification have struggled much more without an established system of clinical supervision. If you think the supervision would be difficult I would caution you to think very carefully.
Sorry, I know this probably isn't exactly what you wanted to hear.
Good luck

[TheStorySoFar]

Thk you all for your very helpful replies! Great advice & food for though as I really feel I'm at a crossroads in work ATM...

[hedwig2001]

I did the Independent prescribers course a few years ago. I'm based in a hospital. It is a tough course, but very useful.
Access to a reliable mentor is essential. Several on our course had uncooperative mentors. They struggled to get sufficient practice and unfortunately, failed the course.
I would wait until you work with a team who value the skill and are prepared to support it.