In celebration of Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month, we’ve had the pleasure of speaking with some of the incredible veterinary nurses here at Vi. We’ve asked them to share what inspired them to become veterinary nurses, the experiences that have shaped their careers, and the insights they bring to their work today. Their stories highlight the passion, skill, and dedication that drive veterinary nurses every day.
Read on to discover more about their unique paths and experiences that shape the vital role they play in supporting veterinary professionals and patients.
How long did you work in clinical practice?
10 years
What kind of practice did you work in (e.g. referral, first opinion, mixed)?
5 yrs first opinion, 5 years ortho referrals
What inspired you to become a veterinary nurse?
I was brought up on a farm, and it wasn't unusual for there to be a piglet being kept warm in a tea chest next to the Aga, or to be bottle feeding a calf. So it seemed a natural progression to pursue a career caring for animals.
How did you build confidence in your nursing skills?
By pushing myself out of my comfort zone and asking to perform the tasks that I felt less confident with, making it clear that I wanted to improve and build confidence.
How does your RVN background benefit the work you do at Vi?
I have a solid knowledge of orthopaedic procedures and instrumentation, ehich underpins what we do in the T&E and CPD departments.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to newly qualified RVNs?
Take every learning opportunity that presents itself! Make sure that your team know that you're keen to learn.
What would you say to an RVN who’s having a tough day?
Above all, be kind to yourself. You do a fantastic job, even on your bad days. If mistakes are made, use them as a learning opportunity. And know that tomorrow is always another day.
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about veterinary nurses?
The breadth/depth of our skillset, especially when given specific opportunities to learn, grow and develop our skills.
How long did you work in clinical practice?
21 years
What kind of practice did you work in (e.g. referral, first opinion, mixed)?
First opinion, then orthopeadic and spinal referral, then back to first opinion where I became a partner.
What inspired you to become a veterinary nurse?
Loved animals from being tiny. My mum was a human nurse and I wanted to be the same, but for pets.
How did you build confidence in your nursing skills?
Work experience for 2 years prior to getting my training position, then I was lucky enough to be training in a very high standard training practice.
How does your RVN background benefit the work you do at Vi?
It gives me knowledge of instrumentation and an understanding of what vets need for certain procedures.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to newly qualified RVNs?
Don't let it take over your life. Love the animals and the job, but look after yourself too.
What would you say to an RVN who’s having a tough day?
There's always Gin!
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about veterinary nurses?
How accomplished we are in a wide variety of tasks We don't just hold pets still for vets.
How long did you work in clinical practice?
15 years
What kind of practice did you work in (e.g. referral, first opinion, mixed)?
First opinion, small animal practices.
What inspired you to become a veterinary nurse?
We got a puppy when was young, and I said I was going to be a vet nurse and never looked back. From 8 years of age, I spent every Saturday and the school holidays at the riding school. Looking after and caring for animals is all I ever wanted to do.
How did you build confidence in your nursing skills?
Working in a busy practices with a great team of people. Along with locuming for 6 months, this was the best for growing my confidence. Also, seeing how other Vets and RVNs perform certain techniques, including at out of hours providers and the PDSA.
How does your RVN background benefit the work you do at Vi?
It helps me to understand what instruments are required for what procedure.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to newly qualified RVNs?
Take the good days with the bad days, but just remember how amazing you are and how important you are to your team and the animals you care for.
What would you say to an RVN who’s having a tough day?
Tomorrow is a new day! Eat chocolate, it releases endorphins to make you feel better.
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about veterinary nurses?
The knowledge and expertise that RVNs have in a variety of roles within the practice.
How long did you work in clinical practice?
28 years
What kind of practice did you work in (e.g. referral, first opinion, mixed)?
First opinion small animal mostly, but then my GP evolved into 1st opinion and referral practice
What inspired you to become a veterinary nurse?
I was going to apply to go into human nursing after my A levels but as I've always loved animals, I changed direction and never looked back!
How did you build confidence in your nursing skills?
Locuming as a 2nd year student, working in different practices, working at the PDSA
How does your RVN background benefit the work you do at Vi?
As an RVN, I have knowledge of most of the surgical procedures and what instruments are required for it.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to newly qualified RVNs?
There will probably be good and bad days but you're role is so integral to vet practices and you're contribution is invaluable!
What would you say to an RVN who’s having a tough day?
Have a piece of cake!
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about veterinary nurses?
That as a nurse you take on a variety of roles - anaesthetist, phlebotomist, scrub nurse, animal carer - it's not just about cuddling animals all day!
How long did you work in clinical practice?
17 years
What kind of practice did you work in (e.g. referral, first opinion, mixed)?
I spent most of my time in Orthopeadic referral but also spent 1 year in emergency and critical care and 5 years in general practice.
What inspired you to become a veterinary nurse?
I had always wanted to work with animals in some way or another and as it became time to decide exactly what I wanted to do with my life, Nursing felt like the right path for me.
How did you build confidence in your nursing skills?
I worked with some amazing people all throughout my career, but my firs head nurse became a great friend and mentor to me and gave me the support I needed to get me through those first few years.
How does your RVN background benefit the work you do at Vi?
Having the knowledge of what kind of pressures vets are under and what they need to best support their patients during the procedures undertaken.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to newly qualified RVNs?
Make sure you enjoy the good times, what we do is hard, but it is also the most rewarding thing you will ever do.
What would you say to an RVN who’s having a tough day?
There is a lot to be said for good scream pillow. On a more serious note, never be afraid to talk to someone if things are hard.
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about veterinary nurses?
I wish people were more aware of how hard they work and how much expertise they have. Veterinary Nurses have such a wide knowledge and really are the beating heart of the veterinary practice.
How long did you work in clinical practice?
23 years
What kind of practice did you work in (e.g. referral, first opinion, mixed)?
First opinion, GP and my favourite - ECC
What inspired you to become a veterinary nurse?
A passion for animal welfare. I always loved animals as a child and ensured they lived their best lives in my care. This developed into me wanting to become a vet, but then I was given the opportunity to train to be a veterinary nurse and that was that really.
How did you build confidence in your nursing skills?
A good HVN at my training practice who just wanted us all to be the best we could be. Also, working in different settings. I left my training practice to locum when I had just qualified and this definitely helped build my confidence.
How does your RVN background benefit the work you do at Vi?
It gives me knowledge of the instrumentation and what they are used for. It also gives me an understanding of what it is like to work in a practice and the stresses that that includes.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to newly qualified RVNs?
Never be afraid to ask a question if you're not sure. No question is stupid!
What would you say to an RVN who’s having a tough day?
Life happens, gin helps :-)
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about veterinary nurses?
The knowledge that we have and our many roles within a veterinary practice. We are not 'Just a Nurse' and we are also not training to be a vet.
How long did you work in clinical practice?
11 years
What kind of practice did you work in (e.g. referral, first opinion, mixed)?
I started my vet nurse training in a vet school which was hugely beneficial as staff were great at teaching, vareity of cases and rotating through different departments really gave me great experience. I then qualified at stayed within First Opinion within the Hospital for Small Animals. I then moved into Intensive Care Unit which was an out of hours role, I really enjoyed this as we worked as a close team which was much needed on those busy nights!
What inspired you to become a veterinary nurse?
Ever since I was little, I always had an interest in working with animals. This developed more when caring for my own pets and loaning a pony as a teenager, I really loved spending time with them. When I found out more about the role of a Veterinary Nurse, I knew it was for me and I was determined to get my qualification as soon as possible!
How did you build confidence in your nursing skills?
My confidence grew from the people I worked with, I was really fortunte to work with passionate people that had the same determination to go the extra mile to look after the animals in their care. Taking the time to do the small things could make a big difference in how an animal coped with being away from their owners. Once qualified, doing vet nurse clinics helped me grow my confidence in leading a consultation and answering questions from clients.
How does your RVN background benefit the work you do at Vi?
I try to bring my RVN experience into my marketing role by "putting my vet nurse hat on" and pre-emptively think what information is needed to be able to use, care for and understand the products/services Vi offer. One of many vet nurses superpowers are pre-emptive thinking, when the call comes in that an emergency is on it's way like an RTA, nurses go into automatic mode to get prepared for that animal to provide care to that animal as quickly as possible, getting an IV ready, XRAY machine turned on, O2 set up, communcate to colleagues etc. I have that in me from the cases I was involved in when I was in practice.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to newly qualified RVNs?
Once qualified, you will still learn new things as you progress in your career. I am still learning new things that are veterinary related in my marketing role and I love it! Be open to it and don't be afraid to discuss your ideas with the team or even the wider veterinary community, we can all learn something new!
What would you say to an RVN who’s having a tough day?
Openly speak to someone and don't be afraid to accept help if you are struggling. There is only one of you and you have to take care of yourself. There are services out there to help someone dealing with burnout/compassion fatigue!
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about veterinary nurses?
People experiences of human medical care can be so different to animal care - veterinary practices can be a GP doctor practice and an A&E hospital rolled into one. The rollercoaster of a day can mean one emerency can delay routine consults/procedures and having owner understanding is key to ensuring all animals have the veterinary team's attention.
How long did you work in clinical practice?
18 years
What kind of practice did you work in (e.g. referral, first opinion, mixed)?
First opinion - PDSA
What inspired you to become a veterinary nurse?
I never wanted an office job and loved animals so thought it would be a good career to get into.
How did you build confidence in your nursing skills?
As I worked in a very busy PDSA hospital it was all hands in deck to get all consults and surgery done in the day, so VNs were encouraged to carry out the majority of the minor procedures under schedule 3 and working with a close supportive team really help.
How does your RVN background benefit the work you do at Vi?
I have a good knowledge of what instruments are used for which procedures, so when we get someone from a practice on the phone saying the vet wants that "thing" used for a certain procedure or they describe what it looks like my instrument knowledge really helps.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to newly qualified RVNs?
Having the knowledge of what kind of pressures vets are under and what they need to best support their patients during the procedures undertaken.
What would you say to an RVN who’s having a tough day?
Don’t be hard on yourself, do something you enjoy and makes you feel better that evening and start a new day tomorrow.
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about veterinary nurses?
We are competent and are more experienced than vets in certain things!