Align-ju FEATURE
How did your career and skills develop in clinical practice?
I worked at a large general practice, which also had some referral cases. Here, I developed a particular interest in neurology, which I found fascinating and rewarding. This interest led me to a neurology VN role at a referral hospital, which felt like a natural progression. I really enjoyed referral work, and the role allowed me to further develop my veterinary nursing skills in an area I was passionate about.
After just under a year, I moved into a head nurse role, helping to set up a new first opinion practice. It was my first experience of working for a corporate, but we had a lot of freedom to shape how the practice operated. I loved being able to apply my referral experience, whether that was in designing hospital sheets or introducing protocols.
What eventually led you to leave clinical practice?
After 11 years in practice, during which I had the privilege of working in a variety of settings and progressing to the role of head nurse, I felt I had achieved many of the goals I ' d set myself. I loved contributing to patient care and supporting my team, but I was ready to embrace a new challenge that would allow me to continue growing professionally while achieving a healthy work – life balance.
Stepping away from clinical practice was an exciting opportunity to explore different ways to make a meaningful impact. I wanted to continue using my veterinary nursing qualification, but in a different way. I signed up with a recruitment agency and moved into a role with a small veterinary software company, which combined customer service and business responsibilities. I enjoyed supporting practices and the role highlighted the transferability of veterinary nursing skills.
Do you think VNs realise how transferable their skills are?
Not always; it ' s often underestimated. Managing multiple patients, prioritising tasks, supporting anxious clients and keeping meticulous records all demand organisation, time management and strong communication. Confidence is a major factor too. Many VNs say:“ It is all I have ever known, I cannot imagine doing anything else.” I felt the same way, because I loved my job. However, over time, you realise that nothing is permanent. There are always new opportunities and moving into a different role, whether that is office-based or otherwise, can be very rewarding. It is about recognising your expertise and having the confidence to apply it in a new context.
How did your career continue to develop outside practice?
I left the software company after a year, as I had hoped to contribute more to the software, drawing on my clinical experience, but that didn ' t happen. Even so, it was a brilliant stepping stone. I joined an e-learning company in the animal health sector, as a project manager and medical writer, and it proved to be a real turning point in my career.
The VS who owned the company believed in me and my potential, trusting me to move into new areas such as instructional design. My time at this company taught me a great deal, and the combination of guidance, trust and encouragement shaped the direction of my career. It is something I remain very grateful for.
After my second maternity leave, practical considerations around childcare and working hours became important. I wanted a part-time role that allowed me to focus on the aspects of work I enjoyed most. Around that time, I heard from a friend about an opportunity at the RCVS, which felt like an ideal fit.
What is your role at the RCVS?
I ' m Senior Learning Content Writer for the RCVS Academy( https:// www. rcvs. org. uk / veterinaryprofessionals / learning-and-development / rcvs-academy). I work across a range of courses, collaborating with different RCVS departments and external experts. Some courses focus on helping professionals understand and meet the standards set out in the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses and the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons, while others address non-clinical topics such as communication, professional behaviours and wellbeing. My role involves taking complex information and turning it into clear, accessible learning content. Sometimes I write from scratch; other times I edit and refine content written by subject-matter experts to ensure it is consistent and engaging.
Tell us about the RCVS Academy.
The Academy was developed in 2022 as part of the RCVS strategic plan. While the RCVS sets professional standards, the Academy exists to support the profession in meeting them. It is about providing tools, guidance and confidence, rather than simply setting expectations. All Academy courses are non-clinical and cover a wide range of topics, including support for students and those early in their careers, client communication, leadership, examiner training and VN accreditation. At its core, the Academy aims to show that the RCVS is a compassionate regulator, helping the profession to thrive.
Volume 41( 3) • June 2026
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