Align-ju FEATURE

While I was studying to qualify as a veterinary nurse ( VN ), I worked in four different first opinion practices in Norfolk . I found the work both enjoyable and rewarding , but I have always been the kind of person who loves to explore boundaries . Therefore , it was only natural that I eventually began to wonder what other opportunities might be available to VNs who dared to venture from the conventional career path . I discovered , to my delight , that veterinary nursing is a diverse and fascinating profession .

After graduating as an RVN in May 2022 , I leapt straight into an out-of-hours role . Like most newly qualified VNs , I lacked confidence . I was also apprehensive about how the out-of-hours nature of this particular role would affect me , both physically and mentally , but I was willing to give it go . As it turned out , the demanding aspects of the job were far outweighed by the more enjoyable and invigorating moments .

Before taking the job , I ' d asked fellow VNs how they found working nights and was intrigued to hear that they thought the best things happened at night . They were right . Working 13-hour night shifts in a small team ( often just a veterinary surgeon and me ) meant that I experienced so much more than I probably would have done in general practice , so my confidence , knowledge and skills grew more quickly .

“ I have also taken on an additional job as an animal welfare representative – or , as I like to think of it , a ‘ pawsonal ’ assistant to animals being used in film and television ”

get involved if you can . I ' m passionate about using my skills to help more charities and shelters , and I plan to go abroad to help with clinics for domestic and exotic animals in the future .

At the start of this year , I decided to split my time between working out of hours at my local veterinary hospital and working as an emergency and critical care RVN at the Royal Veterinary College ' s ( RVC ' s ) Queen Mother Hospital for Animals ( QMHA ) in London . I was keen to work in referral medicine , as I had often wondered what happened to the patients we referred to specialist centres . Working in referral medicine opens up a whole new range of fascinating possibilities for VNs , as you ' ll discover in Candice Drew ' s articles on radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroid cats on p . 36 – 46 .

Having already experienced some of the many opportunities open to VNs , my next career move is going to involve sharing my knowledge and passion for veterinary nursing with others . I ' ve always enjoyed teaching student VNs ( SVNs ) in practice , and with the QMHA being a teaching hospital and an extension of the RVC , I contacted the Dick White Academy to enquire about how I could to get into lecturing . I am now looking forward to embarking on the next stage of my career , which will start with me assisting in OSCE preparation for SVNs and shadowing lectures .

I have also taken on an additional job as an animal welfare representative – or , as I like to think of it , a ‘ pawsonal ’ assistant to animals being used in film and television . Certified animal welfare representatives use the framework of the five welfare needs outlined in the Animal Welfare Act ( 2006 ) to ensure that animals working in media have their needs met . I get to spend time with animals we wouldn ' t often see in practice and meet some really interesting people .

Surprisingly , I found myself with time ( and energy ) to spare , so I began to locum alongside my out-of-hours role . Working with lots of people in different practices boosted my skill set even further , and they taught me a variety of useful tips and tricks . I also found it a great way to network and meet like-minded people .

I feel privileged to be a VN and I wanted to give something back , so I got in contact with my local branch of StreetVet . This is a charity that offers free veterinary care to the pets of people experiencing homelessness , and has a motto of ‘ Whatever you can do in a consultation room in a practice , we can do out of a backpack in the street ’. StreetVet operates in most major cities across the UK and I would urge any VN to

I never expected to achieve so much in my first year of being an RVN , and I hope sharing my story will inspire and empower other VNs and SVNs to chase their dreams and follow their curiosity wherever it takes them . My advice to others would be : grab opportunities , be brave and make the most your skills , knowledge and experience . Find a role that brings you joy . There are lots for you to choose from , all over the world .

Scan the QR code or visit https :// www . streetvet . co . uk for more on StreetVet .

Volume 38 ( 5 ) • October 2023

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