Who is your current employer and what do they do?
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the regulatory body for Veterinary Nurses and Veterinary Surgeons.
What is your job title and what does the job entail?
My job title is the Veterinary Nursing Enrolment Officer. This involves ensuring a smooth entry into veterinary nursing by enrolling all students from universities and colleges to the RCVS.
I also have an involvement with the VN futures project, the aim of which is to progress and diversify the veterinary nursing community. My main input to this at present, is to assist with developing careers materials, and we are currently developing an updated veterinary nursing careers leaflet to educate school children in what veterinary nursing means and how to pursue this as a career, and to encourage new members into the profession.
I also provide support for the School Ambassadors Pilot, which is an initiative that will help to develop school talks and resources for future veterinary nurse school ambassadors.
How did you achieve your current position?
I qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2007 which was an exciting time as the Register had just opened!
I wanted to ensure that my career was varied so I could be certain what path I would like to channel my energy into. In the years I have been nursing I have worked in referral, as a head nurse, as a locum and also in a few roles in a veterinary nursing college. It is there I discovered how rewarding it is to help student veterinary nurses and to see them achieve their goals.
I knew from that from that point that I would like to continue on the career ladder and my end goal was to work for the RCVS. I previously applied for a role with the RCVS but was unsuccessful. I continued to persist and when the role I currently hold became available I applied and managed to acquire the position!
What do you enjoy about your job?
Its sounds very corny but I love everything about my job. Every day brings variety, and the veterinary nursing team are very supportive and helpful.
What are the challenging aspects about your job?
When all the colleges start submitting enrolments it does become very busy. I do enjoy a challenge, however as a veterinary nurse you typically work well under pressure.
What are your plans for the future?
I would like to remain working for the RCVS and learn all aspects of what each team member does. I am fortunate that there are plenty of career progression opportunities so I will see where my role takes me.
What other qualifications do you hold?
I have TAQA level 4 in internal verifiers.
Clinical Coach
What key piece of advice would you give to anyone wishing to follow a similar career path?
If you would like to follow a similar progression I would just say don’t give up. I never thought I would be able to work for the RCVS without a degree (I did the apprenticeship route) but perseverance paid off and now I am working for one of the best employees in the UK.
I have 3 children aged 7, 6, 4 and have managed to find a job where I can work full time around their needs. Being a mother is very important to me but it does not define me and my passion has always been veterinary nursing, so I continued through all the key events in my life.
If you want a career with the RCVS keep a close eye on their website or Linked In for future jobs.
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