Help - Career Change

I think it is a great time for you to do a trainee-ship, not having to stress about money. I'll try to help answer your questions but of course we will all likely have different opinions!

We have just gone through a few rounds of trying to hire a new trainee so I may have some helpful insight.

1. I would start looking into which college you want to go to and apply for the course. This way when you get to a job interview it will show that you haven't just applied for any old job, you have put thought in and are committed. We hired a trainee and helped her find a school and pretty much had her trained up and ready to start the course (this particular college wanted their students to have 3 months experience) before she decided she wanted to work with animals instead. This experience made us a little hesitant to hire someone who hasn't already committed themselves to a course.

2. Pay rate for trainees is not great, this is why you should do it now while you are at home. I think £7.50 is fairly normal until you qualify. We got a bit desperate and realised that in our remote area if we wanted someone smart, committed and hard working we would need to offer a bit more! There were loads of applicants but most seemed kind of lazy, I think if you present yourself as a motivated and positive person who is keen to get into the industry, you might be able to negotiate a reasonable pay. The pay gets better as you get more experienced, especially if you manage to find a spot in a private practice. I would say qualified nurses are asking for around £10-£11 per hour in my area (Surrey) and if you stay with a nice employer, add to your qualification etc your loyalty and hard work will pay off with pay rises.

3. Worst part in my opinion is that the work can be fairly exhausting especially if you work in a busy NHS practice! but it is satisfying. You feel like you are doing meaningful work and you will never be out of a job. Also, after your last patient you get to leave and not have 'left over' work for tomorrow to worry about at home. Work stays at work!

Actually my other worst thing would probably be cleaning up after a surgical extraction... Blood I don't mind but blood mixed with saliva makes me siiiiick lol

4. Go onto local dental practice websites, find a contact email/postal address and send letters of interest! If I'm hiring this is the first person I would contact because it shows that you are super keen! I've gotten jobs this way, even if they weren't hiring they might consider it. Having a car and being able to work outside of your area is helpful though.

5. Loads of options after you qualify. You can pick a specialty (sedation, ortho, implants) private specialist practices will have better pay as well.
If you are happy to continue living at home, you can go back to uni for 3 years (I think) and be a hygienist!
Or you can work your way up to practice manager (that's what I'm doing!)

The girl we ended up hiring is in her late 20's, zero experience but came to the interview with printed information about the course, she had already started her hep B vaccination so she had obviously done some research. She was also very smiley, had a good sense of humour and a positive attitude. She negotiated pay because she was trying to save for a deposit on a house. We felt it was worth it because it is much easier to hold onto someone you feel is going to benefit the practice rather than get any cheap trainee who might waste time by realising there's loads more involved than most jobs or who has a crappy attitude.

I hope this helps!

Hopefully somebody may be able to give me some advice! i’m thinking of pursuing a career in dental nursing but i don’t have much knowledge on how to go about it.

I’m 22 and currently work as a receptionist in a GP Surgery and have done for almost 3 and half years, but i’m having a change of heart and it’s not something i want to be doing forever.
(I live with my parents so was wanting to hopefully train and qualify so i don’t leave it too late financially when i move out etc)

Just a few questions I had about making this change or whether i’m wasting time and should consider something else.

1. Should I consider applying as a Trainee Dental Nurse at a practice and do “on the job” training or go through a college and do a placement?
2. What would pay be like? Can i start training at 22 or am i leaving it too late? Do practices prefer to have younger trainees you are in a lower band of pay?
3. What is the worst part of the profession? (please be very honest)
4. I don’t live in a huge area so at present i can’t seem to find anything advertised - would this be an issue if i was to wait until something came up?
5. Opportunities for progression into other areas of expertise?

Would appreciate advice from Dental Nurses, PM’s or anyone who’s been in a similar situation to me who could help me or tell me if i’m wasting my time.

Thank you.