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Health Visitors

On 5 Dec 2017 at 10:33pm Annie wrote:

Are there any health visitors out there that could advise on what it's like to do the job?
Am working in a children's nursery at the moment, thinking I fancy being a health visitor. Would appreciate some advice on it as an occupation?
Thanks.

On 5 Dec 2017 at 10:44pm Mavis wrote:

Low pay

On 6 Dec 2017 at 7:39am Annie wrote:

Low pay? Meaning what level of pay? Could you expand on that? What is your definition of low pay? Must be more than I'm earning in the nursery.

On 6 Dec 2017 at 11:22am may wrote:

My friend is a health visitor. The pay would I think be better. Why not contact the local NHS? At one point there was pay during training but i'm not sure if that still happens. It's a satisfying job but the cuts have affected it like everything else and added unnecessary stress. Good luck.

On 6 Dec 2017 at 2:39pm Erp wrote:

Meaningful job. Can be stressful as you spend a lot of time with children at risk depending on your area. Quite a lot of burn out.

On 6 Dec 2017 at 6:10pm Mark wrote:

I may be corrected but I think that Health Visitors are normally at Band 6 on the Agenda for Change Scale (something like 27k to 33k) but I doubt that it would be possible to just jump into that role. Most are established, working RGNs with experience at band 5 or 6 who go on to do the HV training.

On 6 Dec 2017 at 6:12pm Mark wrote:

Would need to do nurse training first and without a bursary these days. Student loans and all that.

On 6 Dec 2017 at 7:29pm Annie wrote:

@Mark
So are you saying that I would need to go to university for 3 years to train to be a nurse in the first instance, saddle myself up with thousands of pounds worth of debt to fund the nurse training, then spend more time doing further training to be a health visitor.....all for the paltry sum of �27 - 33 grand a year? Is this a joke?

On 6 Dec 2017 at 7:49pm Bod wrote:

@Annie I'm afraid that most public sector workers and those working in caring professions are under valued and under paid these days. However, if money is more important to you than promoting children's health, protecting them from harm and supporting families in need I strongly suggest you look elsewhere for a career.

On 7 Dec 2017 at 7:50am Mark wrote:

I'm afraid so, Annie. To train as an HV you must first be a qualified nurse. 3 year degree (unfunded). I was paid a bursary when I trained 18 years ago but those days are gone. Nursing is a wonderful career though. Everyday is rewarding and you choose between the of employers who are begging you to work for them. You won't get rich though.