To think about retraining as a.....

[StillAsAStatue]

...........Health Visitor?

I know everyone on MN hates theirs, and they are seen by many as completely pointless at best, and dangerous at worst. However, I feel quite tempted to reply to the recent recruitment drive that has been mailed out to all nurses.

I have many reasons for being interested:

I have recent experience of being a new parent & would love to be in a position to help others.
Recent work experience has shown me that there is so much to the job that most people don't see.
I like the idea of studying again and gaining a further qualification, with all the associated opportunities for career progression etc.
It's a good time in my life to make changes.

Is it the MN equivalent of becoming a traffic warden? Will I be ostracised by all?

Sorry rhino some of you may be good. However, having come across three within about as many weeks including the area manager who did not appear to be able to comprehend basic questions in the English language and respond effectively it rather colours ones views. Views which were reinforced when the then head of the professional association for hvs published in the broadsheet press that hv's were there to teach ignorant mothers the three c's. I'm sure that could be pulled out of archive. I hope you agree respect is a two way street and that article killed dead any respect I might have had less for hvs.

I am very pleased the service has become more targetted but if there are still hv's of the standard I encountered out there who were unable to help a very low risk family, then I shudder to think what happens to babies and infants who are at risk.

My mum is a Health Visitor, one of the reasons why she got the job is because of her life experience.... registered nurse, raised 3 children. I'd say go for it; but be prepared. She deals with a LOT of child protection, sadly it seems to be a major part of the job these days, but all depends in which cluster you work in. Obviously she doesn't tell me anything, but that aspects of her job just make her want to cry. But I think that is true of all nursing and medical roles. Also her job seems more secure compared to hospital nurses, especially in my county with the current restructuring. She's extremely passionate about her job, especially breast feeding. I think that being a mother makes you more empathetic in the job role. My mother currently has a student health visitor who she is mentoring, she was a registered nurse, took a career break for children and decided health visiting was for her. My mother went into health visiting from district nursing. For me, during my pregnancy my mum has been an amazing resource. Especially as I have only seen my midwife 3 times, at her bequest, I'm now 39 weeks pregnant.

I spoke to my HV about this (she is brilliant, btw) and she recommended that I try and get a post as a staff nurse attached to a HV team before considering doing the HV course - gives you a feel for what you would be in for, without the level of responsibility.

You would have to be prepared for a lot of study and exposed to a lot of child protection. If you don't want to see harrowing cases it's not the job to go into. My HV did say the bulk of her workload is child protection based so very little of the 'nicey nicey' weighing of babies or the over-75 health clinics.