Interviews to inspire and support career development

The skills and experience gained by veterinary nurses in practice are highly valued beyond the profession , creating interesting job opportunities for those considering a career change . We chat with a veterinary nurse about her transition from veterinary practice to the commercial world .

Laura Hughes , RVN , C & G Cert SAN . Laura was a practising veterinary nurse before she joined Purina as a nutrition and health advisor in 2002 . She has undertaken several roles at the company and is now veterinary nurse development manager for the Purina Specialist Team .

Why did you become a veterinary nurse ?

I ' ve always loved animals . I grew up with dogs and had a special relationship with my first dog , a German shepherd cross called Suzie . She was a handful but she ' d spend hours playing with me . My second dog was involved in a road traffic accident . I felt helpless when she was injured , as I didn ' t know what to do for her . It was this that inspired me to become a veterinary nurse ( VN ).

At secondary school , I did my work experience at a veterinary practice . I was responsible for looking after an injured hedgehog – making sure it was cleaned , fed and watered . It gave me my first real insight into what it was like to be a VN . I still remember the pride I felt in helping the hedgehog . I also remember the embarrassment of fainting in theatre and waking up on the head nurse ' s lap – but it didn ' t put me off !

Tell us a bit about your time in practice .

During my years in practice , I worked in a variety of settings . I started with a Saturday job at Sherwood Veterinary Practice in Hampton . This became a full-time job when I finished school and started my VN training . As a student , I also worked at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and the Goddard Group ( Stone Lion Veterinary Hospital , Wimbledon ). I had a variety of interesting nursing experiences from first opinion practice , referrals and the rescue centre .

What are your professional interests ?

I was fortunate to work with one of Europe ' s most eminent veterinary neurologists , Professor Clare Rusbridge , who got me interested in neurology . I ' m also interested in nutrition , which I can trace back to a nursing course that failed to answer all my questions about nutrition . I took it upon myself to find out more , and worked through all the nutrition modules offered by the pet food manufacturers at the time .

Can you recall any particularly significant moments in your career in practice ?

Getting my green RVN uniform ! I ' d struggled with my first-year anatomy and physiology exam and had to retake it multiple times , so I was in my striped trainee uniform for years . At Stone Lion , all the nurses were wearing the green uniform . When I finally qualified and could wear the green uniform too , it was a big moment .

Why did you leave veterinary practice ?

At the time , I ' d just started dating my partner , who I ' ve now been with for 21 years . We were struggling to get much quality time together around my shifts , which prompted me to reflect on my career . I ' d worked in different veterinary practices and had enjoyed varied nursing experiences , so it felt the right time to prioritise the ' life ' part of my work – life balance .

14 Veterinary Nursing Journal