When I started nursing in 2006 I was terrified! Everything was completely new and overwhelming and it seemed like everyone was speaking in an entirely foreign language.  I had been given the opportunity to get into veterinary nursing by taking a temporary contract to cover maternity leave for a Student Veterinary Nurse (SVN). My role was described as an Auxiliary Nurse.  This meant I was able to observe and assist with various procedures but would never be left alone with patients and a lot of tasks were off limits to me. Many clinical tasks can only be carried out by a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) or a SVN under their direct supervision. As I was not enrolled with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and not attending a training course I could only watch as the
other clinical staff carried out procedures such as blood samples, anaesthetic monitoring and administering injections. This spurred me on to get a permanent job as a SVN, which fortunately coincided with the end of my temporary contract. My new role was in a different practice and there seemed to be a huge change going from one to another.  I was much more familiar with the terminology, procedures and pharmaceuticals, but there were so many people and I was a bit shy so didn’t always push myself forward within the team. The bigger busier practice did mean I saw a lot more cases and experienced nursing a range of patients.  I got to understand that each vet had a slightly different approach to the same problem and would want different instruments or equipment according to their personal preference – something the nurses were amazing at knowing!

I moved away from Cheshire and eventually commenced my training at a practice in Herefordshire, attending a veterinary nurse training centre in Monmouth. Starting my studies was nerve-wracking and exciting. As I had been working alongside the RVNs for a few years I knew bits and bobs but the theory we were taught made things suddenly make a lot more sense! My course was based on attending college one day per week and working full time around this. That was a shock. Full days at work, being on-call for emergencies and college work on top certainly kept me busy. Luckily, I thoroughly enjoyed my course and passed my first- and second-year assessments first time.

All of a sudden after years of waiting I was a RVN and responsible for myself without direct supervision. By the time we’ve been through the training and rigorous assessment period we are obviously ready for this but it does suddenly feel like a big responsibility.  I had learnt to speak up and make sure I was confident with each clinical skill before I was left to do them alone.  Many skills link together and your confidence grows quickly.

Learning never stops and my interest in cats meant I enrolled on a feline nursing course.  I was really encouraged to see that whilst cats are a challenge to many vets and nurses when in the veterinary practice, with a little time and some tricks of the trade it’s easy to help them feel much happier with us.  Hollybank were keen to keep me filling up my brain so my next challenge was a certificate in emergency and critical care.  Having knowledge of different emergencies is incredibly useful and definitely makes them less daunting when faced with them in reality especially given I was working at Hollybank and providing 24 hour care.  

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As Hollybank’s nursing team grew I took on the role of head nurse. This meant some changes for me as I not only needed to complete my nursing duties but also start managing others.  At about the same time I became a Clinical Coach (CC) and started training SVNs, helping them towards their qualifications. My Head nurse and CC roles came with a chunk of paperwork which I’ve had to learn to balance with keeping my hand in with the practical nursing elements of the job. It’s so rewarding to see each of the nurses progressing in their own ways and to see our SVNs completing their degree
and become RVNs.

Just to keep me out of trouble I am currently studying for an Advanced Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (DipAVN) and using the knowledge from this course to constantly assess and improve the way we nurse our patients. I am hoping to complete this qualification in September and I think I’ll take a break from study then!

On my first day in veterinary practice I could never have imagined being where I am now and I am actually quite proud of the way my role has changed over the years.

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Cat Burdett RVN CertVNECC