Charley tells us about her experience on placement at Hollybank:

From a young age, I was always surrounded by animals. Growing up in a household full of pets, I always knew I wanted a career that combined my love for animals with my passion for healthcare.

During my time on placement, I’ve enjoyed applying what I’ve learnt from theory to real life cases. From learning to take and read x-rays, placing IV catheters, conducting nursing appointments, scrubbing into surgery, nursing inpatients and even monitoring anaesthesia. Each task, no matter how small, was a step towards becoming a competent and confident veterinary nurse.

One day, I had the opportunity to assist in providing emergency care to a dog that had been involved in a collision with a car. It was nerve-wracking, but seeing the dog recover and return home healthy was an incredibly rewarding moment for me.

The journey has not been without its challenges. Balancing the demands of coursework, clinical placement and personal life was often a juggling act. There were often moments of self-doubt, especially when facing difficult cases or dealing with the emotional toll of losing a patient. It’s one thing to read about euthanasia in a textbook, and quite another to be present in the room, supporting a grieving owner as they say goodbye to their beloved pet. These moments were heart-
wrenching and required a level of emotional resilience I had not yet developed.

Reflecting on my placement, I realize how much I have grown both professionally and personally. I have been challenged in ways I would have never anticipated, but it also provided me with invaluable skills and insights that will guide me throughout my career. With the help and support from an incredible team, this placement has been more than just a learning opportunity; it has been a foundation on which to build my future in veterinary nursing.

We currently work alongside Harper Adams University and Reasheath College Univeristy in supporting their students on placement.