I started my training as a student veterinary nurse at the age of 17. I had already undertaken a number of work experience placements at different veterinary practices and so knew all of the ups and downs associated with the job and felt sure that veterinary nursing was the career for me. Since qualifying, I have worked as a head nurse in 3 very different situations. The first was in a small animal veterinary surgery, the second at a veterinary university teaching hospital, and the third in a private veterinary hospital. Although there were differences in these environments, the fundamental aspects of my job have been the same; that is participation in the daily nursing duties and supervision of the veterinary nursing team.

I particularly enjoy the teaching, training and assessing of student veterinary nurses in the workplace in addition to the hands-on nursing of animal patients. Veterinary nurses working in practice now have a structure in place to progress both personally and vocationally. Additional qualifications are available, such as the RCVS Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing, which I achieved in my fifth year after qualifying as a VN. I am pleased to have chosen veterinary nursing as a career; it is a very rewarding occupation and every day brings something different.