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Kendra chats with Aurora Sochan, CVT, VTS (EVN), CERP, about her unique journey through vet med. From equine, to small animal, back to equine, and now business owner, Aurora is no stranger to finding ways to keep her vet med flame burning bright. After a long storied career as a clinical veterinary technician she has found her new passion and calling as an equine physiotherapist. She finishes her story with uplifting advice that is beneficial to technicians new and old. Don't forget to stick around for the tech tip!
Joining Kathryn for this episode of VETchat by The Webinar Vet is Charlotte Hailstones, veterinary nurse at Blue Cross Animal Hospital. In this episode, Kathryn and Charlotte talk about her journey into veterinary nursing, the challenges faced by women in the profession, and the importance of work-life balance.Charlotte shares her experiences with maternity leave, the emotional toll of veterinary nursing, and offers advice for aspiring veterinary nurses. The conversation highlights the need for better support for women in veterinary careers and the importance of maintaining a passion for the profession while balancing personal life.TWV Wellbeing HubBlue Cross Animal Hospital
Caffeinators, we hope you're having a wonderful holiday season! For our last episode of 2024, we have another incredible guest for you, from Scotland! Sam Fontaine, RVN, MSc, PGCAP, BSc, DipAVN(Med), FHEA, SFRET, recently came by the Vet Tech Cafe. She launched a Master's in Advanced Practice in Veterinary Nursing program in the UK, that is completely online and takes students from around the globe. It was fascinating to hear about the creation of the program and how adaptable it is to different career paths. We also spent some time talking about life as an RVN in Scotland and what that looks like-SPOILER ALERT-they face many of the same challenges we do in the United States, just as all of the other countries from which we've had previous guests face. It's really interesting to see where the future of post-graduate education for veterinary technicians may go! Show Links: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/vet-nurse/ Videos on the Uni's Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W6g8Bq69zs (PG cert course leaders discussing the first year of the program) https://youtu.be/Hip9GrN6T9I (a short interview with Kat Carman, one of the recent US MSc graduates) Our Links: Check out our sponsor https://betterhelp.com/vettechcafe for 10% off your first month of therapy Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vettechcafe Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vettechcafepodcast Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vet-tech-cafe Like and Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMDTKdfOaqSW0Mv3Uoi33qg Our website: https://www.vettechcafe.com/ Vet Tech Cafe Merch: https://www.vettechcafe.com/merch If you would like to help us cover our podcast expenses, we'd appreciate any support you give through Patreon. We do this podcast and our YouTube channel content to support the veterinary technicians out there and do not expect anything in return! We thank you for all you do.
As a slightly different approach to this episode, John Redbonds heads to BVNA Congress to hear nurse's thoughts on the current lay of the land, and invites a few special guests to share their thoughts as well. (00:00) John introduces the podcast and his co host – eLearning.vets head of education, Amelia Sherwood, looking into Veterinary Nursing in Dermatology, with conversations with Veterinary Nurses and industry people. Starting with some conversations from the British Veterinary Nursing Association Congress. Chapter 1: VN Dermatology at BVNA congress – the challenges and the opportunities. (02:12) John has a conversation with a couple of nurses working for a small group of practices that are involved in dermatology, without specialising. They reflect on some of the ways they have found to work more on dermatology, along with some of the challenges. (05:49) John then speaks to two nurses working in a charity based PDSA practice, where they do the majority of dermatology work, and the cases are worked up thoroughly and fully – they reflect on why this is the case and why nurses do this more and how this shows that this is the most sensible and correct model. (08:26) John speaks to Paris, a nurse who is interested and trained in dermatology – and sees the cases, but is unable to put her skills to use because the practice she is working at doesn't utilise those skills. (10:25) John speaks to someone working for a company called VN Recruitment – to discuss options which exist for nurses with an interest in dermatology to find a practice where they can use their skills. Chapter 2: VN Dermatology Nursing in a corporate industry. (12:45) John then speaks to representatives for the corporate groups to see if there were opportunities are present for nurses in CVS, VetPartners and IVC to progress in dermatology – and specialist centres and training programmes to exist, if a nurse pursues that route. (17:50) John has a conversation with a nurse who had been heavily involved in dermatology work, but been made redundant by the group she worked for – with no options as a result locally to work as a vet nurse due to competition for places. Demonstrating the challenges that exist in the current landscape. Chapter 3: VN Dermatology on the move. (20:55) John spoke to Claire, a nurse who uses a more district nursing model to deliver her nursing skill set – showing there are ways for nurses to diversify within this landscape – and whilst she has some involvement in dermatology in partnership with her local practice, she recognised there could be more opportunity and potential for this. (27:00) John speaks to Nicola Swales, the dermatology nurse at paragon referrals, who moved 4 hours across country to work as a dermatology nurse having worked at Langford referrals previously. Nicola shares how heavily she is involved in this process, showing just how involved nurses can be. (34:12) John wraps the podcast by speaking to Amelia Sherwood, a veterinary nurse who has worked in wound management and the advancement in the nurse role in a large group; she shares her thoughts on where the veterinary nurse industry is currently and reflects on the challenges and opportunities there are for nurses.
Send us a textIn this interesting episode of Veterinary Voices, Julie South catches up again with Khristina Naden, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing at Otago Polytech, where she demonstrates how a veterinary nursing qualification can evolve into ground-breaking research. As Kristina shares insights from her Masters research (hopefully to be upgraded to PhD research) into therapeutic horse riding, you're are treated to a super interesting blend of scientific methodology and practical experience that bridges the gap between animal care and human therapy.In episodes 205 and 206 Kristina's shared her non-traditional entry into veterinary nursing. Today she expands on that to share how it's possible to expand and morph traditional veterinary nursing. Kristina talks about conducting international research which showcases the expanding horizons available within the veterinary nursing profession. Her recent presentation at a conference in Budapest highlights how veterinary expertise can contribute to broader therapeutic applications, from improving physical mobility to enhancing speech and language development in patients.She also chats about how she was invited to present her veterinary research at a medical (human) conference; where a brief case of Imposter Syndrome kicked in.Key Takeaways:Veterinary nursing qualifications can lead to diverse career paths, including academic research and specialised therapy programsThe horse-human connection is deeply nuanced, with horses serving as sensitive indicators of human mental states - a finding that has implications for both therapeutic and recreational ridingThis episode is particularly valuable for veterinary professionals considering career advancement, those interested in animal-assisted therapy, and anyone fascinated by the scientific understanding of horse-human interactions. Contemplating your next career move? Tania Bruce - VetStaff's passionate kiwi recruiter - would welcome the opportunity to have a 100% confidential chat with you. Tania's a former Ortho Head Vet Nurse so speaks your language!How to get more bang for your recruitment advertising buckThis is what VetStaff is really good at so if you'd like to stretch your recruitment dollar, please get in touch with Julie because this is something VetStaff can help you with. Committed to DIY-ing your own recruitment?If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic. The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs Revive Your Drive - daily 2-minute videos for veterinary employers and employees to help revive their drives at work and at home.
Send us a textIn this episode of Veterinary Voices, host Julie South continues her in-depth conversation with Michelle Cameron, an executive member of the New Zealand Vet Nurse Association. Their chat goes into innovative ways Veterinary Nurses can enhance their professional standing and increase their earning potential within the evolving landscape of veterinary practice.The episode offers a wealth of practical strategies for Vet Nurses to demonstrate their value and for clinics to optimise their billing practices. From implementing nurse-led services to improving coding and tracking of nurse-provided care, the conversation covers a range of topics that can benefit both staff satisfaction and the practice's financial health.Three key takeaways from this episode:1. Veterinary nurses have the potential to significantly increase their hourly rates by proactively identifying and implementing fee-earning opportunities within their clinics. Julie and Michelle explore how nurses can take initiative in areas such as patient care, specialised consultations, and procedural assistance to justify higher remuneration / hourly rates.2. Implementing nurse-led services, such as dental checks, senior pet consultations, and vaccinations, can free up veterinarians' time while generating additional revenue for the practice. Michelle provides specific examples of how these services can be structured and billed.3. Proper coding and tracking of nurse-provided services is crucial for accurate billing and demonstrating the financial impact of Veterinary Nurses. The conversation highlights the importance of having comprehensive and easy-to-use systems in place to capture all billable activities.For vet nurses seeking career advancement, this episode offers concrete steps to increase their value within the practice. At the same time, Practice Managers and owners will gain insights into optimising operations and improving profitability while enhancing staff satisfaction. Veterinarians will learn about ways to delegate tasks effectively, allowing them to focus on more complex cases.VetStaffleading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nursesDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Contemplating your next career move? Tania Bruce - VetStaff's passionate kiwi recruiter - would welcome the opportunity to have a 100% confidential chat with you. Tania's a former Ortho Head Vet Nurse so speaks your language!How to get more bang for your recruitment advertising buckThis is what VetStaff is really good at so if you'd like to stretch your recruitment dollar, please get in touch with Julie because this is something VetStaff can help you with. Committed to DIY-ing your own recruitment?If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic. The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs Revive Your Drive - daily 2-minute videos for veterinary employers and employees to help revive their drives at work and at home.
Send us a textWelcome to Episode 206 of Veterinary Voices, hosted by Julie South. With listeners in 1,400 cities worldwide, Veterinary Voices is your trusted source for insights into New Zealand's dynamic veterinary industry. This episode is proudly sponsored by VetStaff, New Zealand's leading recruitment agency dedicated to connecting veterinary professionals with exciting career opportunities in Kiwi vet clinics. Today, Julie South continues her informative chat with Kristina Naden, a senior lecturer in veterinary nursing at Otago Polytechnic. This is the second part of their discussion on New Zealand's new Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, set to welcome its first cohort in February 2025. If you missed the first part, be sure to check out Episode 205 for the full context.In this episode Kristina chats with Julie about:what's the most exciting part about the new Dip VN you're looking forward to? (at 05:30)how does the 750 practicum hour requirement work? what's changed? (06:06)how does NZ Dip.VN compare to the RCVS VN qualification? (08:47)has the new Dip. VN impacted / affected the BVN? (13:00)what's the future of post graduate qualifications for veterinary nurses in NZ? (13:52)Join Julie and Kristina as they delve into the exciting developments in veterinary nursing education in New Zealand and explore the evolving landscape of this very rewarding profession. Whether you're a current veterinary professional or considering a career in veterinary nursing, this episode offers valuable perspectives and inspiration.Stay tuned for next week's episode, where Julie will be joined by Michelle Cameron, an executive member of the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association (NZVNA). Michelle will discuss the critical role veterinary nurses play in the financial success of veterinary clinics. Don't miss it!Contemplating your next career move? Tania Bruce - VetStaff's passionate kiwi recruiter - would welcome the opportunity to have a 100% confidential chat with you. Tania's a former Ortho Head Vet Nurse so speaks your language!How to get more bang for your recruitment advertising buckThis is what VetStaff is really good at so if you'd like to stretch your recruitment dollar, please get in touch with Julie because this is something VetStaff can help you with. Committed to DIY-ing your own recruitment?If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic. The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs Revive Your Drive - daily 2-minute videos for veterinary employers and employees to help revive their drives at work and at home.
Send us a textEver wondered how the New Zealand veterinary nursing curriculum is evolving to better prepare future professionals? Kristina Naden, RVN, BVN, NZCATT, MRurSci student - Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing at Otago Polytechnic - gives an exclusive preview of the upcoming Diploma in Veterinary Nursing launching in New Zealand in February 2025. Kristina chats about how this new qualification is a game-changing revamp for New Zealand veterinary nursing professionals. Get ready to explore Kristina's passion for continuous learning and her in-depth research on the health and disease status of dogs in Tonga, along with her commitment to advancing veterinary educationKristina shines a light on the (very!) significant updates to the Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, supported by a strong community of practice under Te Pūkenga. In this episode Kristina chats with Julie about:veterinary nursing as a second career for her (at 03:39);why she chose veterinary nursing vs veterinarian studies (05:51);what her transition from clinical practice into teaching was like (10:11);some of the changes she's seen in the veterinary nursing curriculum in her time (13:24);what the new Dip VN looks like and how it will integrate into NZs veterinary clinics (18:07).Part 2 - episode 206VetStaffleading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nursesDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Contemplating your next career move? Tania Bruce - VetStaff's passionate kiwi recruiter - would welcome the opportunity to have a 100% confidential chat with you. Tania's a former Ortho Head Vet Nurse so speaks your language!How to get more bang for your recruitment advertising buckThis is what VetStaff is really good at so if you'd like to stretch your recruitment dollar, please get in touch with Julie because this is something VetStaff can help you with. Committed to DIY-ing your own recruitment?If so, then shining online as a good employer is essential to attracting the types of veterinary professionals who're a perfect cultural fit for your clinic. The VetClinicJobs job board is the place to post your next job vacancy - to find out more get in touch with Lizzie at VetClinicJobs Revive Your Drive - daily 2-minute videos for veterinary employers and employees to help revive their drives at work and at home.
In this episode, veterinary nurse Nicola Lakeman, Nutrition Manager for IVC Evidensia, shares tips for building confidence in the consulting room. She emphasises the importance of solid knowledge, continuous practice, observing others, and using clinical guidelines. She advises honesty with clients when feeling unsure and highlights the value of support from colleagues and the wider veterinary community.Nicola also discusses overcoming confidence knocks, drawing on her own experience with a complaint. The episode concludes by addressing confidence challenges that can come from life events like parental leave, long-term illness, or menopause.Nicola Lakeman:Nicola works as the Nutrition Manager for IVC Evidensia. Nicola graduated from Hartpury College with an honours degree in Equine Science, and subsequently qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2002. Nicola has written for many veterinary publications and textbooks and is the editor of Aspinall's Complete Textbook of Veterinary Nursing. Nicola is one of the Consultant Editors for The Veterinary Nurse. Nicola has previously won the BVNA / Blue Cross Veterinary Nurse of the Year and was this year awarded the BSAVA Outstanding Contribution to Veterinary Nursing Award. Nicola has gained her master's degree in advanced veterinary nursing from Glasgow University; and is a board-certified Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in nutrition status.Arlene Connor:Arlene qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2003 and subsequently worked in a small animal practice in central Scotland. She joined Vets Now 24/7 Emergency and Specialty Hospital in Glasgow in 2013 as a surgery nurse, before becoming Clinical Nursing Manager in 2014. In 2017, Arlene took on the role of Head of Clinical Operations for Vets Now's Referral Hospital sites across the UK, which saw her represent Referrals within VetsNow as a member of the Veterinary and Nursing Standards group and at the company's Clinical Strategy Board. In 2021 Arlene moved over to IVC Evidensia as National Lead of Referral Nursing, within the newly created Referral Division, taking the lead on the UK's Referral Nurse Strategy. In addition, with the rest of the National Clinical Lead team, Arlene is responsible for the clinical and professional standards within the hospital and is part of the team responsible for opening new IVC Evidensia Referral Hospitals in the U.K.Powered by IVC EvidensiaAt IVC Evidensia we're building the world's best veterinary group, with a single purpose; healthy animals and happy owners.Visit ivcevidensia.co.uk to find out more, or follow us on social media.Please note that the views expressed by hosts and guests in this podcast Clinic do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia.Links:IVC Evidensia Referrals https://www.ivcevidensiareferrals.com/RCVS Guidelines: https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/quality-improvement/tools-and-resources/guidelines/RCVS Checklists: https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/quality-improvement/tools-and-resources/checklists/Vetlife: https://www.vetlife.org.uk/
Vet nursing, vet medicine and working 13 hours a day round uni!I speak to a lot of people, some people shine for their ability to overcome challenges, some a job I've never heard of or heard much about and some just inspire you for so many reasons! That last one is the story of today's guest, Leah Griffiths! Leah, like many other teens wanted to be a vet and didn't quite get what was required and pursued vet nursing which she enjoyed but realise large animal was her passion, she then got a job calf rearing while vet nursing and started to think “I'm going to go for vet medicine”. She applied without telling anyone and is now a couple of exams away from finishing first year!You hear so many people who want to be a vet that don't make it and the dream stays a dream! Leah is one of the few who did the work to make it a soon to be reality! One of the nicest ‘where do you see yourself in 5 years' we've had!We speak about that challenge of missing potentially good vets due to grades too!Great episode with an inspiring young lady! Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, VN Times editor Lacey Pitcher welcomes experienced RVN Sara Ho-Le to discuss training, leadership and peer mentoring. Sara's career has been varied and her passion for emergency and critical care has seen her travel to the other side of the world. Sara discusses utilising her career passport to nurse down under and how mentor nurses have shaped her career. •••••••••••••••
In this episode, VN Times editor Lacey Pitcher welcomes experienced RVN Sara Ho-Le to discuss training, leadership and peer mentoring. Sara's career has been varied and her passion for emergency and critical care has seen her travel to the other side of the world. Sara discusses utilising her career passport to nurse down under and how mentor nurses have shaped her career. •••••••••••••••
In this episode, VN Times editor Lacey Pitcher welcomes experienced RVN Helen Harris to discuss squiggly careers and falling back in love with veterinary nursing. Helen's career has been varied including GP, charity and shelter medicine and now, zoo nursing. Helen discusses starting out as a veterinary nurse and how her various workplaces have shaped not only her career, but her outlook on animal welfare and veterinary medicine.
In this episode, VN Times editor Lacey Pitcher welcomes experienced RVN Helen Harris to discuss squiggly careers and falling back in love with veterinary nursing. Helen's career has been varied including GP, charity and shelter medicine and now, zoo nursing. Helen discusses starting out as a veterinary nurse and how her various workplaces have shaped not only her career, but her outlook on animal welfare and veterinary medicine.
The School of Veterinary Nursing at the Royal Veterinary College were named Quality Improvement Champions in the 2023 Knowledge Awards. In this Knowledge Natter, Lou Northway talks to Perdi Welsh and Niamh Clancy from the Royal Veterinary College about their winning initiative to incorporate QI within their post-registration qualifications, guiding students through a number of measures to carry out projects in practice, submit to peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences. Read the transcript Apply for the 2024 Knowledge Awards
Veterinary technicians, or nurses, are the backbone of veterinary hospitals and practices nationwide. The…
Veterinary technicians, or nurses, are the backbone of veterinary hospitals and practices nationwide. The roles that these nurses play are increasingly diverse, and the path to careers in this field...
Sponsored by VEG As a career emergency veterinarian since 2003, David Bessler, VMD, has a passion for helping people and their pets when they need it most. His intense focus on families made him realize emergency care was broken and wasn't working for anyone. Bessler took a holistic view of the ER experience, from start to finish, and from every angle, to make it better. Pets would be treated like people and pet parents like human beings. In 2014, armed with a vision and a dedicated team of like-minded people—the first VEGgies!—he purchased his first VEG hospital. They worked to reinvent the emergency experience. It was in this first hospital that VEG became “not normal,” in a good way! This new experience was fully transparent, with an open floor plan. They created a comfortable setting for pets, even if that meant getting on the floor with them; and keeping people and their pets together throughout treatment. Bessler also defined a positive company culture to make sure VEG would deliver on this revolutionary shift. It was exactly what pet parents and emergency vet professionals wanted, as VEG has the highest NPS in the vet industry. During his 20+ years in the field, Kenichiro Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC), (SAIM), has dedicated his career to reimagining veterinary nursing. He obtained his VTS certification in emergency and critical care as well as small animal internal medicine and achieved his master's degree in Veterinary Science. He is currently the Chief Veterinary Nursing Officer for Veterinary Emergency Group, and the Program Director for the RECOVER Initiative. Over the years, he has received the Veterinary Technician of the Year award by NAVTA, the Veterinary Technician of the Year award by the California Veterinary Medical Association, the RVT of the Year award by the California RVT Association, and the AVECCTN Specialty Technician of the Year award. Yagi co-edited the Veterinary Technician and Nurse's Daily Reference Guide for Canine and Feline, and the Manual of Veterinary Transfusion Medicine and Blood Banking, and publishes articles and presents internationally on topics in ECC, transfusion medicine, and the veterinary nursing profession. Yagi works to bring further recognition of the vital role of the veterinary technicians and nurses through work with organizations, being a Past President of National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, and President of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. He is also an advocate for the Open Hospital Concept, encouraging veterinary practices to invite the pet owners to “the back” as a part of the team.
Arlene Connor, national referral nursing lead (UK referrals division) and Helen Rooney, clinical and development support (referrals) at IVC, join VN Times editor Rachael Buzzel to chat about their career journeys and what referral nursing means to them. They also discuss the launch of IVC Evidensia's Introduction to Referral Nursing Programme, on which you can find further information at https://bit.ly/43BRICR _____________________________________
The next guest to join us is Inge Breathnach AKA The Oncology RVN!With quite a sensitive episode ahead of us, we start with the most difficult question we can... what is Inge's favourite bread? Slightly silly questions aside, Inge explains how she got into oncology as a veterinary nurse and shares the aspects of her work that she really enjoys.Alongside being an oncology nurse, Inge has experience as a client with a pet who has dealt with cancer treatment and uses this insight to improve her client relationships. We discuss the difference between holistic healthcare, homoeopathy and herbalism alongside the importance of proper research to make an informed decisionInge dispels preconceptions about her job and cancer treatment for animals whilst explaining the human side of her work. We talk about the cost of oncology veterinary care and Inge gives some top tips for approaching palliative care for our pets and her advice on how to switch off from the job and establish clear boundaries in the workplace.Lastly, Inge delivers an insightful 60-second CPD on how to ensure the quality of life for our patients and shares her reflective question which aims the change the way we treat cancer in animals.Support the show
Arlene Connor, national referral nursing lead (UK referrals division) and Helen Rooney, clinical and development support (referrals) at IVC, join VN Times editor Rachael Buzzel to chat about their career journeys and what referral nursing means to them. They also discuss the launch of IVC Evidensia's Introduction to Referral Nursing Programme, on which you can find further information at https://bit.ly/43BRICR _____________________________________
Linnaeus chief nursing officer Andrea Jeffery and RVN Sue Badger, who has been in the profession for more than 50 years, join VN Times editor Rachael Buzzel to discuss their new book Professionalism and Reflection in Veterinary Nursing. A project more than 10 years in the making, Andrea and Sue hope the book will support the evolution of the professional RVN and equip vet nurses to contribute to the ongoing development of a professional identity. For further details of the book, or to order a copy, visit http://bit.ly/3zih9Mj ________________________
Linnaeus chief nursing officer Andrea Jeffery and RVN Sue Badger, who has been in the profession for more than 50 years, join VN Times editor Rachael Buzzel to discuss their new book Professionalism and Reflection in Veterinary Nursing. A project more than 10 years in the making, Andrea and Sue hope the book will support the evolution of the professional RVN and equip vet nurses to contribute to the ongoing development of a professional identity. For further details of the book, or to order a copy, visit bit.ly/3zih9Mj ________________________
Join us as we chat with Laura Jones RVN about her life as a veterinary nurse, her hobbies, and her passion for internal medicine. Laura shares her journey to becoming a veterinary nurse and the importance of nurses to the veterinary team and client relations. Outside of work, Laura is an adrenaline junkie who loves to drag race and explains what this courageous hobby involves and how it helps her switch off from work.We also delve into the impact of the pandemic on the veterinary industry and client expectations. Laura tells us about how she accidentally ventured into internal medicine and how it has become her niche. She shares her different responsibilities and how they contribute to providing quality care for pets.We pose a difficult question to Laura: what does the quality of life mean and how does it differ between clients and their pets? Laura provides insightful answers and highlights the need for both clients and practitioners to improve their perception of veterinary nursing.In addition, Laura takes on our 60-second CPD challenge and delivers a fantastic run-down of the six things you need to do during nurse clinics for chronic disease patients. She also asks us to reflect on the circumstances that could be behind difficult behaviour between colleagues and clients.If you're interested in learning more about Laura and her work, head over to her website https://www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com/. Support the show
The Hoosier Ag This Week Podcast – Weekend of Jan. 28-29, 2023: 1.) Huntington University has announced a new partnership with Purdue University. C.J. Miller reports how Huntington Ag is launching a new dual-degree program in Veterinary Nursing and Animal Health. 2.) Eric Pfeiffer chats with Dr. Ken Foster, the new interim dean of Purdue's College of Agriculture, about his new role, as well as the push for more state funding for Purdue Extension. 3.) Chief Meteorologist Ryan Martin says it will be another chilly week with more snow showers in his Indiana Farm Forecast. 4.) AND Brian Basting with Advance Trading talks about the impact that the drought in Argentina is having on grain prices here in the U.S. That's all part of the Hoosier Ag This Week Podcast!
Merry Christmas Ramblers!We're blown away by the year that we've had. If you follow us on social media you might have seen that we've had one of the best years on record, and we're so thrilled that our following is going strong. We wanted to celebrate the end of 2022 with some of our favourite stories from this year, where we revisit some of our favourite moments with guests - including some awesome life stories, some fascinating research and veterinary work, some thought-provoking conversations that changed our perspective and a few of the biggest laughs that we've had this year. We hope you enjoy, and we look forward to producing new content for you all next year!Bring on 2023 - may your dog go with you!Support the show
You may know Helen MacDonald as the owner of Geronimo the alpaca - however, there is so much more to her story! As such we have decided to release Helen's episode in two parts. In Part One, we get to know the fascinating person behind the scandal.We begin this week's episode discussing Helen's time spent in Australia as a child and the difference in culture and education that she experienced when she moved back to the UK. Formerly a keen diver, Helen and Julian discuss the wonderful places they have explored under the sea and we learn how one summer changed everything about Helen's career path, beginning her love of Veterinary Nursing. With 32 years experience in the industry, Helen has worn many hats. From Head Nurse to Teacher, Locum to Assessor - even hitting the road in 2010 to work in the commercial veterinary sector in sales and practice support.Her fascination for alpacas led to her buying her first 3 breeding females in 2002. 20 years later, she now has a quality breeding herd of over 80 coloured alpacas. Her focus is on the health and welfare of alpacas with an emphasis on best practice, biosecurity, education and evidence-based science.Following the horrific events surrounding Geronimo spanning 5 years, she is now a reluctant campaigner for evidence-based science and transparent justifiable policies for disease eradication. We will be discussing Geronimo's story in next week's episode, which will be released on Thursday the 24th of November.Support the show
This week we're joined by the wonderful Carly Kilby!Carly is a veterinary nurse, scout leader and mother. She grew up in South London, but discovered her love for veterinary work and the outdoors after moving to countryside in her teenage years. We discuss the difficulties of finding people who understand the intricacies of a job in the veterinary profession, and the embarrassment of accidentally recounting disgusting work stories to non-vet friends over dinner.After qualifying in 2006, Carly has worked within farm, equine, first opinion practice and the referral locum scene. She has gained an ISFM certificate in Feline Friendly Nursing, an ESVPS certificate in anaesthesia, an ISVPS certificate in surgical nursing and is also the BVNA Regional Representative for the South West (Somerset and Gloucestershire)! We spend a lot of time talking about the importance of family and the difficulties of finding balance between commitments at home and work. As veterinary professionals, it's something that we can all relate to. Carly talks about her experiences of having to put work before fun during her vet nurse training, and the pressure of being a parent alongside supporting a number of busy teams as a locum.Carly gives us a reflective 60-second CPD on returning to work after maternity leave and we discuss the worries, guilt and pressures that working parents can experience when trying to balance life's wants and needs.If you are ever struggling with any of the issues we spoke about in this episode (or any episode) don't forget there's support out there - speak up if you're struggling: we all have times when we need some care ourselves. Please reach out to Vetlife on 0303 040 2551.Support the show
Join us as we chat with the awesome Ruth Greenhill, an ECC veterinary night nurse at a busy 24hr hospital in central London. Maintaining a good work-life balance is important to her and she has many fascinating hobbies and passions outside the veterinary world. Ruth talks to us about how she uses night-shift work to achieve a better work-life balance and helps her find time for all of her eclectic hobbies. Ruth is an avid snorkeller and at the time of recording was due to complete a scuba diving qualification the very next day. We discuss the differences in dead space between snorkels and anaesthetic equipment. Ruth is an amazing ballerina and uses dance to keep her grounded and to blow off steam both in and outside of work. Ruth recalls how she nearly became a professional ballerina - but after a work placement with a veterinary surgeon, decided that she would much rather work in veterinary medicine.Finally, we quiz Ruth on her diving signals and she delivers an awesome 60-second CPD about how to overcome exam nerves. Support the show
This week we're chatting with Lacey Pitcher, an RVN who has travelled the world and enjoyed a varied career across GP, OOH, Referral and charity medicine. We begin this week's show with the most important question, what is her favourite type of bread? Lacey then explains how cheese influenced her to buy her house!She shares her love of travelling and how her veterinary passport helped her to travel the world. We discuss the strength of the veterinary community and she explains why she set up Veterinary Pay It Forward to show her appreciation for her colleagues and support their mental health. We also talk about brachycephalics and Lacey tells us how she thinks people should deal with their treatment. We learn about what neurodiversity is and how it affects people, and Lacey uses her own experience to summarise these points in her 60-Second CPD. She also talks to us about Vets: Stay, Go, Diversify and how it helps people to stay in the veterinary profession and have a fulfilling career. Lastly, we discuss the Mind Matters Initiative and close the show with a reflection question from Lacey.Support the show
I've never been one to play by the rules! National Veterinary Technician week is October 16-22 but I'm jumping the gun with my guest this week Anna Santos. Anna holds a BS, is an RVT and a LVT and has worked in veterinary nursing for over 20 years. Her varied background demonstrates all that is possible in a career such as veterinary nursing. We talk about all the things in this episode: -the impact of compassion fatigue and burnout on vet techs -the need for strong women leaders in veterinary nursing -how compassion fatigue impacts the clinical tech vs. the lab animal technician -career paths -how she has learned to take care of herself to be sustainable in this field I mentioned a Ted Talk I recently watched that highlights how veterinarians (and vet med) infiltrates all aspects of life. You can check that out here. Also, registration for my 6-month group coaching program for women veterinarians, Living a Life You Love is open until 9/30/22. Click here for more info.
*Please note, this episode was recorded last year during coronavirus lockdowns and restrictions, however, we had such a fantastic time recording this wonderful conversation with Lou that we still really want to share it with you all!* *Lou's views are her own and do not represent or reflect the views of the BVNA*This week we're thrilled to present our episode with the fantastic Lou Northway whom many of you know as Lou The Vet Nurse!We begin this week's episode by delving into Lou's childhood experiences of visiting the vets, how that inspired her to become a veterinary nurse and how her weekend job developed into her lifelong career.We discuss how the roles of a veterinary surgeon and a veterinary nurse complement each other, depend on one another and by working together, improve animal welfare for our patients. Lou shares her views on analgesia, how it could be improved by giving vet nurses more responsibility in practice and her passion for clinical auditing.We discuss a period of huge change for Lou that took place over 2020/2021 with her pregnancy and the subsequent birth of her baby during COVID. Lou shares her experiences of being a new mother and offers advice for any veterinary nurses that are considering having a baby.Lastly, she does an awesome 60-second CPD about quality improvement in human factors and we discuss the importance of fostering a no-blame culture in the workplace.Support the show
Dr Francesca Brown is a veterinarian who graduated from Massey University's class of 1998. Since graduating and gaining experience in clinical practice she moved to education and then leadership in Allied Veterinary Professional education, at both Otago Polytechnic, as the Head of the School of Veterinary Nursing and nationally as the Chair of the Educational Standards committee for Allied Veterinary Professionals. Over her career Dr Francesca's seen first-hand, and through her network of colleagues in the industry (both vets and allied veterinary professionals), the significant challenges faced to personnel. Today she talks about one of her most recent research projects – which she expects to publish in early 2023 – Veterinary Client Storytelling.Dr Francesca wanted to know “what's important to clients when they visit a vet clinic”. Dr Francesca discusses the following questions and top level ‘more research required' topics: What can clinics do to improve the clients' experience when they visit?Are clinics relying too heavily on the sale / inclusion of medication as a revenue generating component?What steps can veterinary staff – from front of house through to the veterinarian – do to greatly enhance the clients' experience?How to recognise the critically important human-animal bond to each individual clientListen to what the client has to say – explain the rationale for discounting Dr Google's diagnosisOffer professional guidance when giving clients choices around future treatment option(s)The importance of partnership clinic+client+petWould clients pay extra to have more time to settle their pets?Would slowing things down and allowing more time be beneficial? What would the benefits look like?How important is always seeing the same vet to the client?What needs to happen is this standard practice in a clinic?How can the clinic + client relationship be maintained? How can feedback become a gift?What can clinics / people do when a blind spot is exposed? VetStaff leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses
This week we are joined by the fantastic Craig Tessyman RVN!Craig started working in practice as a student in 1999 and has worked in small animal practice, referral, emergency out of hours and charity medicine. He explains how his appearance breaks the mould of what you would expect a veterinary nurse to look like and how he hopes it will make the industry more inclusive!For the last 6 years, he has worked 100% with non-traditional companion animals (NTCAs or anything that is not a traditional cat or dog). We discuss why there is a need to call exotic animals none traditional companion animals and Craig shares his journey of career progression alongside his hopes for his future within the BVNA council.We also talk about the state of the veterinary profession as a whole, including the industry staffing issues, joint venture partnerships and a particular patient Craig has worked with that has since gone viral online!Lastly, Craig delivers a thoughtful 60-second CPD entitled 'Things they should have tortoise' (Hint: it has something to do with cats!?) and the nuanced ways spider owners can tell what their needs are to avoid getting bitten.Support the show
RVN Nicola Lakeman is the keynote speaker at BVNA Congress 2022 – and her lecture will give an insight into how resilience has played a part in her career. Ahead of congress, Ms Lakeman joined us to share her excitement for the event and discuss how she hopes delegates will be able to relate to her experiences. “Building resilience” is the headline theme of congress, which takes place at Telford International Centre from 7 to 9 October. To learn more about this year's event, look out for your copy of BVNA Congress Times, being mailed with September's VN Times. ________________________
RVN Nicola Lakeman is the keynote speaker at BVNA Congress 2022 – and her lecture will give an insight into how resilience has played a part in her career. Ahead of congress, Ms Lakeman joined us to share her excitement for the event and discuss how she hopes delegates will be able to relate to her experiences. “Building resilience” is the headline theme of congress, which takes place at Telford International Centre from 7 to 9 October. To learn more about this year's event, look out for your copy of BVNA Congress Times, being mailed with September's VN Times. ________________________
70+ episdoes into the podcast, and not a single episode with a vet nurse. Shame on us! But we're changing that with this episode through a conversation with a vet tech who is leading the charge into the future of vet nursing. Kenichiro Yagi is Chief Veterinary Nursing Office at the Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG), where his role is to help develop career pathways in veterinary nursing and raising nursing care standards and competency. Ken is a Registered Veterinary Technician and Veterinary Technician Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care and Small Animal Internal Medicine with a Master's Degree in Veterinary Sciences. He also serves as program director for the Recover Initiative, a global effort to standardise how veterinary CPR is performed around the world. He's received a whole host of awards, including veterinary technician of the year in 2016, and he's been pushing the standards of nursing for two decades through his teaching and training, speaking and writing. "There's a lot more to veterinary medicine than just being a vet, and there's a lot more care that the patients need. And I've certainly created my own career out of it." So who's this episode for? Well, we've always been a podcast primarily for vets, and that hasn't changed. We'd love for this conversation to help open the eyes of our vets to the possibilities, the talent and the passion that is right under your nose and to give you some ideas of what that talent is capable of and how you can help steer it. But it's definitely also an episode for nurses and techs. I challenge you as a nurse to listen to this and NOT feel the desire to find new ways to extend yourself and to make even more of a difference! Ken's story is a real eye-opener about what is possible in your nursing career in the right environment. Also - who's joining us live in Noosa in November with Prof David Church and Prof Jill Maddison for what promises to e the most fun vet event of the year?! Details are here - but don't book there - email us at vetvaultpodcast@gmail.com to tell us that you heard about the conference on here and we'll send you a listener-only discount code. Go to thevetvault.com for show notes and to check out our guests' favourite books, podcasts and everything else we talk about in the show. If you want to lift your clinical game, go to vvn.supercast.com for a free 2-week trial of our short and sharp highly practical clinical podcasts. We love to hear from you. If you have a question for us or you'd like to give us some feedback please get in touch via email at thevetvaultpodcast@gmail.com, or just catch up with us on Instagram. And if you like what you hear then please share the love by clicking on the share button wherever you're listening and sending a link to someone who you think should hear this. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/vet-vault/message
Matt Rendle (RVN) is back on Veterinary Ramblings! We discuss his ongoing projects with Wildlife Vets International & WAPCA (West African Primate Conservation Action) in Ghana, working with Mangabeys with a view to putting them back in the wild whilst also helping with a challenge facing sea turtles. Matt tells us about preventing Malaria and the best way to make sure you stay rested when working abroad. He also shares how a special teacher and supportive family helped him through a difficult time and set him on the path of veterinary nursing.What exactly is a mangabey? Find out in Matt's 60-Second CPD and have a giggle at some of the antics they get up to.Head Nurse at Tari Vets and a Conservation Veterinary Nurse at Wildlife Vets International, Matt has a phenomenal amount of experience with many species across the world.Matt regularly lectures to veterinary nursing and veterinary surgeon undergraduates at the RVC, as well as many other organisations in the UK and abroad.He's also the chair and co-founder of the Association of Zoo and Exotic Veterinary Nurses (AZEVN), completed a three-year term on the British Veterinary Nursing Association Council and been featured in many publications. Support the show
Caffeinators, welcome back for the second episode in our Mental Health Awareness Month series, May 2022. For this episode, we caught up with Cat Walker, Bachelor of International Studies (Hons 1), Bachelor of Laws, Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, Registered Veterinary Nurse, from way down under in Australia! You may know Cat as Radio Vet Nurse, and Jeff has been a guest on her podcast. Cat's world turned upside down in late 2020, as her veterinarian husband battled substance use disorder. Cat talks about how she navigated, and continues to navigate, this difficult process and how things changed in the blink of an eye. She talks about his path forward, but also her own, and how her personal and professional life were altered as a result of his struggles. She discusses how getting help for herself was vital in her path forward and how the stresses she was experiencing as a result of all of this affected her health and wellness. This episode looks at substance abuse from a slightly different angle from our last episode, yet, still analyzes the veterinary field input on this problem. Newsflash: It's not just limited to struggles in this profession in the US. It's a global struggle. If you, or someone you love, are struggling with addiction or substance abuse, please visit the links below for further information. Show Links: Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vettechcafe Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vettechcafepodcast Like and Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMDTKdfOaqSW0Mv3Uoi33qg Our website: https://www.vettechcafe.com/ Vet Tech Cafe Merch: https://www.vettechcafe.com/merch If you would like to help us cover our podcast expenses, we'd appreciate any support you give through Patreon. We do this podcast and our YouTube channel content to support the veterinary technicians out there and do not expect anything in return! We thank you for all you do.
This week we are joined by the fantastic Emily Holmes AKA EmPowering RVN Media!Emily shares her journey from wanting to be a teacher to becoming a vet nurse and her full-on university experience as she worked whilst studying, all whilst sharing words of wisdom for any potential students out there. We discuss what a vet nurse is, how they are a crucial part of the veterinary team and their exceptional communication skills which help clients receive better care for their pets. Emily explains her favourite (and least favourite) aspects of her work and the difficulties of having your own poorly pet in this profession!Lastly, we learn about how Emily's business, EmPowering RVN Media, developed from discussing mental health to empowering people to care for themselves and helping veterinary businesses with their social media content creation so they can take back their time. This week's 60-Second CPD is about practising gratitude and is full of great advice which can help your mental health.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/veterinaryramblings)
Vet Nurse Margie Rutherford's Visions for Veterinary Nursing in New ZealandMargie Rutherford, BSC, BVT - Vet Nurse of the Year 2021Episode 1/2 where Vet Nurse Margie Rutherford and I chat about her visions for veterinary nursing in New Zealand.Margie was awarded the NZ Vet Nurse of the Year 2021 . She was one of 16 nominations for Vet Nurse of the Year. According to NZVNA President, Amy Ross, one of the things that really stood out to her in the nominations was the time and care that all of the nominees spent, not just looking after the wellbeing of their patients, but also the wellbeing of their team.In this episode Margie shares some of her ideas on how to have a sustainable veterinary profession in NZ from a people perspective … how it's essential to have a distinction between having a professional life and a personal life …Every year, during the first week of October, the NZVNA celebrates Veterinary Nurse Awareness Week (VNAW), culminating on the awarding of Vet Nurse of the Year, on the Friday of VNAW. As you'll hear Margie mention, it's usually a big celebratory gala evening but the pandemic …. Well, the awards for 2021 were announced via a webinar event.The NZVNA and Hill's Veterinary Nurse of the Year Award was launched in 2013 to recognise New Zealand veterinary nurses who advocate and significantly contribute to the care of their patients, and who are an integral part of the veterinary health care team.As you'll hear, Margie took a somewhat circuitous route to reach her vocation as a veterinary nurse. Margie holds two Bachelor degrees: a Bachelor of Science plus a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology. Today she works as a companion animal vet nurse at The Strand Veterinarian in Auckland's Parnell. We jump into the conversation here where I ask Margie when she knew she wanted to be a vet nurse.LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEDr Megan Alderson - morning ritual of turning the clinic phone off for 10-15 mins/daySophie Kennedy - Vet Clinic sustainability VetStaff leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses
Join us as we sit down with Nikki McLeod AKA @felinefabulousvetnursing!Nikki has had a fascinating career going from vet nurse to professional photographer and back again! We discuss how the veterinary industry has changed since she first qualified, particularly within the fear-free movement. She also shares her experience working for Pet Blood Bank UK, explaining how it works and the benefits to both pets and pet owners for getting involved in donating blood.'Nikki qualified with an RCVS Certificate in Veterinary Nursing in 2000 and worked her way up to Head Nurse of a growing small animal practice. Alongside all this hard work at vet nursing, she has a passion for photography, and in 2008 she started a full-time business specialising in weddings and portraits. In 2014, she returned to the veterinary profession and describes herself as a 'crazy student', obtaining the following qualifications: The ISFM Certificate in Feline Nursing, The ISFN Advanced Certificate in Feline Behaviour, Low-Stress Handling Silver Certified and Fear Free Veterinary Certified to Level 3 - all of which developed her love for reducing fear, anxiety and stress in the veterinary practice. She is now studying to top up to BSc (Hons) degree level in Veterinary Nursing and an Advanced Diploma in Applied Animal Behaviour, and is due to begin studying for an NCert in Animal Behaviour! She currently works at a small animal practice in Dunfermline, Fife as a part-time RVN, becoming the practice's resident ‘Cat Advocate' since February 2018 and helping them become a ‘Cat-Friendly Clinic' with Silver Status. She has also trained as a Phlebotomist for Pet Blood Bank UK, travelling around central Scotland, helping dogs save lives.'
Join us this week as we sit down with the inspiring Hannah Olliff-Lee AKA Physio.RVN!Hannah's veterinary nursing journey began in 2012 with a nursing placement in Clapham. She completed her diploma in veterinary nursing in 2015. In 2019, she began sharing her training journey to become an animal physiotherapist through her social media pages (Physio.RVN/@physio.rvn) and in 2021 she qualified as an animal physiotherapist and diversified into social media and marketing.We discuss Hannahs recent experience speaking at the BVNA congress, how to provide good feedback when leading a team, and the benefits of employee ownership trusts in veterinary practice. She recounts her journey of becoming a veterinary nurse/animal physiotherapist and shares the advice she would give to her younger self. Hannah has a love of horses (in particular the endangered breed of Hackney horses) and provides her physiotherapy expertise to help both animals in the clinic and pets at home!
In this episode I get to chat with pioneer in HAI and visiting professor at Lincoln, Dr Sandra McCune. Sandra qualified as a registered veterinary nurse (Royal College of Veterinary Nursing) in Dublin before completing a degree in zoology from Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. She has a PhD in animal behaviour and welfare from the University of Cambridge, U.K. She has studied a range of companion animal topics including aspects of temperament, behaviour, cognition and welfare, and Human-Animal Interaction (HAI).Until 2019, Sandra was a scientific leader for Mars Petcare, based at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute. For 12 years, she led the HAI area in research and then HAI science communications, and established Mars as the industry's thought leader in this field. She has extensive experience studying HAI from both animal and human perspectives in collaborations with HAI researchers from the USA, U.K., Austria, France, Germany, Australia, Brazil, Russia, Japan and China and regularly presents internationally on companion animals and their relationship with people.Sandra was instrumental in the establishment of the public-private partnership between the National Institutes of Health and Mars/WALTHAM focused on child development and HAI resulting in a multi-million dollar programme of high-quality HAI research, workshops and several edited volumes, journal series and book chapters.She is the founding director of Animal Matters Consultancy Ltd, providing expert input on a wide range of animal issues. She is a SCAS trustee and a Fellow of the Annenberg PetSpace Leadership Institute. She shares her home with her family including two cats and a lurcher.Researchgate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sandra_Mccune/publications.Twitter: @sandra_mccune LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-mccune/
Have you ever wondered what the role of the vet nurse will look like in the years ahead? Have you thought about how the current shortages of veterinary surgeons could be eased by the skills of vet nurses if you were allowed to do more? Or what future training requirements will be like for vet nurses? October's VN Happy Hour looked at these and other topics affecting vet nurses as we focused on the future of veterinary nursing with BVNA president Alex Taylor, BVNA senior-vice president Jo Oakden and BVNA council member Lyndsay Hughes. This month's VN Happy Hour was extra special, as it was the one year anniversary of the launch of our VN power hour. When we launched VN Happy Hour we wanted to create an event which provided not only networking opportunities and thought-provoking discussions but also fun and laughter.
Have you ever wondered what the role of the vet nurse will look like in the years ahead? Have you thought about how the current shortages of veterinary surgeons could be eased by the skills of vet nurses if you were allowed to do more? Or what future training requirements will be like for vet nurses? October's VN Happy Hour looked at these and other topics affecting vet nurses as we focused on the future of veterinary nursing with BVNA president Alex Taylor, BVNA senior-vice president Jo Oakden and BVNA council member Lyndsay Hughes. This month's VN Happy Hour was extra special, as it was the one year anniversary of the launch of our VN power hour. When we launched VN Happy Hour we wanted to create an event which provided not only networking opportunities and thought-provoking discussions but also fun and laughter.
This week we're chatting to Jessica Joosse AKA nutritionrvn! Jessica graduated with her Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Biosciences from La Trobe University in 2016 and went on to complete her Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing in 2018. She became one of the first few AVNAT Registered Veterinary Nurses in 2019 and obtained Accreditation in 2020. We discuss her career progression in veterinary medicine, working in every role from Animal Attendant up to Practice Manager, and her mother's positive influence on her career choice to go from being a vet to a vet nurse. She also shares some personal stories with us about what gave her an interest in animal nutrition, how her blog nutritionrvn.com came to be and the power of using social media to get the right information to people who need it.Jessica also provides some recommendations as to how pet owners can make an informed decision about their pets food (which is summarised in her 60-Second CPD). She also explains what would she like to do in the future and how she hopes that food safety regulations will be improved in Australia to prevent situations like the recent horsemeat scandal.
Ed Carlson is a Certified Veterinary Technician and holds a Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS) in nutrition. Ed is the Director of Veterinary Nursing Education at Vet Bloom and serves as the current president of both NAVTA (National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America) and the MVTA (Massachusetts Veterinary Technician Association). On this episode, Ed shares his journey as a veterinary technician and we discuss how the role of the veterinary technician or nurse has changed over time and the path to becoming a credentialed veterinary technician. Topics discussed in this episode 00:00- Introduction 1:45 – Veterinary Technician vs Veterinary Nurse vs Veterinary Assistant 7:50- The role of the Veterinary Technician/Nurse and how it's changed over time. 15:45- Ed shares his journey as a veterinary technician 21:50 – The path to becoming a credentialed veterinary technician or nurse 23:58- Veterinary Technician credentialing terminology by state and the veterinary health care team. 29:54- Veterinary Technician Specialties 40:57- Ed's current role as Director of Veterinary Nursing education at VetBloom 47:33 – Ed describes the mission of NAVTA (National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America) and discusses the Veterinary Nurse Initiative. Resources mentioned in this episode AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) Main site - https://www.avma.org/ AVMA CVTEA Accredited Veterinary Technology Programs AAVSB (American Association of Veterinary State Boards) Main Website - https://www.aavsb.org/ VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam) NAVTA (National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America) Main Website - https://www.navta.net/ NAVTA Veterinary Technician Specialties Veterinary Nurse Initiative Ethos Veterinary Health Main Website- https://www.ethosvet.com/ VetBloom – Online Veterinary Courses/Continuing Education Website - https://vetbloom.com/ Subscribe to The Academic Veterinarian by visiting our website here or wherever you get your podcasts (Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Podbean and others) Contact The Academic Veterinarian with your comments, questions, and suggestions by emailing theacademicvet@gmail.com
This week we're chatting to Chloe Mackintosh AKA The Charity Vet Nurse!Chloe started as a student veterinary nurse in 2016, completing all her placements at the PDSA hospital in Edinburgh while working for Vets Now in the evenings! After moving around a bit, she realised she wanted to work in the charity sector of the veterinary profession, helping people and animals who otherwise wouldn't have access to veterinary assistance. Chloe was named Vet Nurse of the Year 2020 by pet charity Blue Cross and is currently the Head Nurse at the PDSA in Romford. She has just finished a BSc Top-Up degree in Veterinary Nursing and will be graduating very soon! We discuss Chloe's journey to becoming a vet nurse as a mature student and how your outlook and attitude can affect your working life. She shares the positives and negatives she faces in her job within shelter medicine and offers some advice about how to cope with working with cases of animal neglect and the stresses of working in such a difficult, compassionate role. Chloe has a love of teaching both clients and colleagues and gives us a fantastic 60-Second CPD about preventative treatments in feline medicine.
This week is part 1 of a two-part series with Dr Francesca Brown of Otago Polytechnic.If you don't know Dr Francesca, she's a veterinarian who graduated from Massey University's class of '98. After graduating and gaining experience in clinical practice Francesca moved to education and then into leadership in Allied Veterinary professional education, at both Otago Polytechnic, as the Head of the School of Veterinary Nursing and nationally as the Chair of the Educational Standards Committee for Allied Veterinary Professionals. Over her career Dr Francesca has seen first-hand and through her network of colleagues in the industry - both vets and allied veterinary professionals - the significant challenges personnel face.If you're attending the combined Vet Nurse and Vet Conference this year in Christchurch – coming up in June 2021 – be sure to register for Dr Francesca's presentation as part of the business track. Today – and next week – Dr Francesca shares her research findings from her recent study into whether it's actually possible to have healthy staff and healthy bottom lines in New Zealand veterinary clinics. Listen as Dr Francesca shares how her research was different to the many papers and books already written on this subject.RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S SHOWDr Francesca's researchFind out about Julie's Veterinarian Mastermind GroupVetStaff leading veterinary sector recruitment in New Zealand | veterinarians | locums | nurses
VN Happy Hour 4.0 saw vet nurse, writer, educator and leading blogger Jane Davidson feature in our main interview to discuss her perspective on physical and mental well-being, before joining our expert panel for a broader debate on some of the big issues in the veterinary nursing profession. RVN panellists Aoife Smith, Elle Payne, Jane Davidson, Zara Livingstone and veterinary nurse-turned personal trainer Adam Robinson – all leading experts in their fields of well-being and health – answered delegates’ questions on well-being and shared the day-to-day magic moments that make being an RVN a job like no other.
VN Happy Hour 4.0 saw vet nurse, writer, educator and leading blogger Jane Davidson feature in our main interview to discuss her perspective on physical and mental well-being, before joining our expert panel for a broader debate on some of the big issues in the veterinary nursing profession. RVN panellists Aoife Smith, Elle Payne, Jane Davidson, Zara Livingstone and veterinary nurse-turned personal trainer Adam Robinson – all leading experts in their fields of well-being and health – answered delegates’ questions and shared the day-to-day magic moments that make being an RVN a job like no other.
Listen to Debbie Reed talk about her college and career path and MSC vet tech experiences!
VetFolio - Veterinary Practice Management and Continuing Education Podcasts
In Part 2 of our Veterinary Technician discussion with Paige Allen, MS, RTV, current NAVC Board President and educator at Purdue University School of Veterinary Nursing, we explore team dynamics, and how the veterinary nursing field has changed over the years. Don’t miss this deep discussion that builds on the conversation in Part 1.
This week we sat down with the extremely talented and ambitious Helen Ballantyne! Helen is qualified in Pharmacology, Veterinary Nursing and Human Medicine and currently is the Transplant Co-ordinator for the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We discuss the differences between human and veterinary nursing (as well as the similarities in mammal physiology). Helen also tells us about the nuanced complications that go into arranging and carrying out a delicate organ transplant - such as time vs. location, matching donor to recipient, and more. She was also the first of our guests brave enough to take on the 60-second CPD challenge! While Helen's current role is working with humans, she also trains vets through her wonderful work with the British Vet Nurse Association (BVNA)! Is there anything she can't do? Geography perhaps...If you'd like to see more of Helen's work, check out her latest lecture by following this link and registering: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/2328579120963967496
Joining Ben for today's episode is Claire Roberts, Professional Development Manager at Linnaeus. Claire has been involved in veterinary nursing for over 25 years and she and Ben will be chatting about how her career has evolved over time and the ups and downs that have come along with it.
Determination and clarity personified, a leader living with the highest of standards Yolan Friedmann is currently the CEO of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, she has an academic background in Veterinary Nursing, a BA in English and Communications, an MSc in Environmental Studies (WITS) and an MDP from the Gordon Institute for Business Science (University of Pretoria). She was the first female recipient of the SAB Nick Steele Environmentalist of the Year award, which she won in 2011. She was also the winner of the CEO Most Influential Woman in Business and Environment award in 2012 in the Environmental category; the recipient of the 2012 Green Globe award. A key focus of Yolan's career has been leadership development and strategy facilitation, Yolan was invited to participate in the Crans Montana Forum in 2015 and was selected as a GreenMatter Senior Fellow in 2014. My Key takeaways Something Yolan and I discussed much in different ways throughout our time together was leadership - the definition of a leader, through to what a leader demonstrates. I feel that Yolan is qualified to speak with the clarity she does and I believe that you would agree with that statement if you too were to listen to this great interview. Her whole career has revolved around passion, purpose and impact. She knew from a young age that this would need to be the case In order for her to feel satisfied. Yolan shares some great wisdom around having an open and flexible direction and how this pays off. There are many different causes we can feel compelled to create real impact within but the way in which we can impact is vast. This is where Yolan feels we need the greatest flexibility. Whilst joining or building a team for a not for profit, we must always keep in mind that this is the most vital part of the process for success; the right team of people is paramount as we grow something that inspires us - alongside the initial cause, it's these people that will give us the inspiration to carry on when it all appears to be too much to handle and these times will arise! I could talk much about the individual that Yolan is from successfully competing in 15 double marathons through to ‘leading' many charity focused causes but ultimately taking the time to listen to this truly valuable interview will teach you massively as it did me! Let's Stay Connected Speak with Craig about Magnifying Your Impact https://www.craiggoldblatt.com/work-with-me/ https://go.craiggoldblatt.com/attract-ideal-donors YouTube: https://www.craiggoldblatt.com/tv/ Connect with Yolan Website: www.ewt.org.za
Veterinary Nursing Care Plans: Theory and Practice is designed to inform the reader of both the theory and practice of care planning in veterinary nursing. The author is a well-respected veterinary and human nurse – holding a degree in pharmacology, and both veterinary and human nursing qualifications. Veterinary nursing care plans are still in their relative infancy in terms of development, when compared to those in human healthcare, making this book a useful resource in highlighting the benefits of patient-centered planning and care The book is organized into three sections titled “What are nursing plans”; “Why should nursing plans be used in practice”; and “How to use nursing care plans in practice” – with each section containing several chapters designed to organize the text. Each chapter commences with a useful set of learning objectives that set the tone for what the reader will encounter; and concludes with a short, point-form review of the chapter contents, some additional thoughts by the author, for reflection, and a reference list, followed by a “further reading” list for those interested in expanding their perspective on the chapter contents. These features make the book very easy to navigate in both short-form reading, and long-form, investigative reading. Additionally, they bring the largely descriptive (and very interesting) text into focus for the reader, which enhances the overall reading experience. Of particular note throughout the text, is reference to significant historical theory and practice of nursing care, both in human and veterinary fields, which places the current development of nursing care plans for the veterinary nursing profession within its global and historical context and highlights the evolution of current nursing practice. The book is illustrated throughout with a number of charts, diagrams and tables that serve to highlight key points in the chapter narrative. Nursing care plans are now becoming well-established within the veterinary profession, and are being taught within the syllabus of many veterinary nursing training centres. In human nursing, their use is well-documented in improving the standard of patient care. This book provides an easy-to-read outline of how to develop a nursing care plan for veterinary patients and is recommended reading for anyone wanting to enhance both their veterinary nursing skills – and the documentation of those skills.
In this episode I caught up with Jess who was once described to me as “human extraordinaire”! Jess is a registered human nurse, a registered veterinary nurse, and works both in general practice and as a vet nurse educator. She has her Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing and Diploma in ECC, a double degree in biomedical science, and a bachelor of registered (human) nursing.Jess lives on a farm with her kids, her fur kids, and her vet husband. She’s extremely passionate about educating and developing veterinary nurses in practice, and also shared some really honest insight into the challenges of returning to work after having kids.Jess and I discovered a lot of common ground in our thoughts on the veterinary industry and often found ourselves finishing each other’s sentences. It was a pleasure to hear her story and she well and truly lived up to her reputation as human extraordinaire.Jess listens to these podcasts:· Radio Vet Nurse· ConversationsWe also discussed:· The Darvall circuit air warmer· The WSAVA vaccination guidelines· Google image search “maternally derived antibody graph”· DIC, SIRs and MODs
In this episode you’ll hear from Janet, the President of the Vet Nurse Council of Australia (VNCA). Janet is from New Zealand, currently living in Perth, and is a lecturer in vet nursing at South Metropolitan TAFE. Janet has been nursing for 20+ years and has multiple qualifications including a Bachelor in Veterinary Nursing and an Associate Degree in Adult and Vocational Education.Janet’s career has taken her all over the world including specialising in Emergency and Critical Care at the Royal Veterinary College in London. Janet recently travelled to the VMX conference in Orlando Florida as the only international recipient of the Dr Earl Rippie Veterinary Nurse Leadership Scholarship. This scholarship recognizes veterinary technicians and nurses who demonstrate leadership abilities and make a positive impact on the growth of the profession.When you hear about Janet’s involvement with the VNCA and the upcoming launch of the AVNAT scheme it will be obvious why she received this scholarship and was then treated like vet nursing royalty at VMX. Janet has had a massive year at the helm of the VNCA and I can’t wait to see what she does next.We discussed:· A podcast called Coffee Pods with Holly Ransom · The Dr. Earl H. Rippie Veterinary Nurse Leadership Scholarship · RECOVER basic life support and advanced life support workshop. Online RECOVER course available through the VNCA as a membership opportunity. · The April 2019 VNCA conference · The launch of the AVNAT Scheme
In this episode I catch up with a well-known vet nurse and presenter in Australia, Sue Crampton. Sue is such an accomplished person; she’s the owner and founder of Crampton Consulting Group and the Animal Industries Resource Centre and - in addition to vet nursing - has a really interesting collection of qualifications including Bachelor of Business, Diploma in Company Directorship, and Masters in Neuro Linguistic Programming. As one of Australia's leading veterinary educators she’s on the go both in Australia and overseas 2 to 3 weeks of every month. It’s highly likely you’ve seen her present.I first saw Sue at a conference in 2014 and, for me, it was an absolute game-changer. I was almost a year into owning and operating Ready Vet and studying my cert IV, but telling myself I was just doing the study to better manage my business. As someone who had been to uni for almost a decade for a different career, I was trying to suppress the growing suspicion that I actually loved vet nursing. But when I watched Sue present, it really sealed the deal for me. She was speaking my language 100%, motivating and inspiring me, and I had this light bulb moment; yep, I am a vet nurse, and I love it.It’s hard to say what it is about Sue that enables her to connect with people and inspire in this way, but I think it’s this: she has this ability to identify and articulate the fundamentals of our industry, chunk them down, and present them within this framework of the veterinary health care team, rather this unhelpful binary of vets and nurses. It’s been four years since I first enjoyed Sue’s presentation at that conference, and I really enjoyed catching up again.
In this episode you’ll hear from a British vet nurse, Sara, who came to locum in Australia and stayed for good. After working as head nurse in a busy hospital for years, Sara made the transition to working as a rep for Dermcare, and she’s never looked back.Sara is a happy, upbeat person who is highly intelligent and incredibly funny. She has a razor sharp wit that I thoroughly enjoy. I’m not going to lie, I nearly did my snort-laugh in this interview. I’m really glad I heard Sara’s story of England to Australia, and vet nurse to rep, and everything in between. I think you’ll like it too.
In this episode you’ll hear from a British vet nurse named Rebekah who travels the world as a locum. Rebekah originally wanted to be a vet and was devastated when she failed at the last hurdle when it came to university admission. Her back-up plan was to complete a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing at the Royal Veterinary College in London and then transfer to vet. It didn’t take long for Rebekah to fall in love with vet nursing and decide that she had found her fit and didn’t need to become a vet.Rebekah’s locum and volunteer history is incredible; it spans the UK, Europe, Australia, Africa and South East Asia and includes a camel sedation and treatment of infected wound, dental procedure on a lioness, post-mortem of a water buffalo, and an elephant enema! Not only is Bekah a vet nurse, she’s also a dive master, and sometimes she’s able to combine these skills. Obviously I had to meet her, and so do you.
Here we talk to the veterinary nurses within the RCVS, looking at the twists and turns of their careers and discussing where a career as a veterinary nurse can take you. Download to hear from veterinary nurses Julie Dugmore, Director of Veterinary Nursing; Victoria Hedges, Examinations Manager; and Lily Lipman, Qualifications Manager.
In honor of the upcoming International Cheetah Day on December 4th, we are releasing some of our archived Cheetah Conservation Fund interviews for the next two weeks. Today our special guest is Ashley Flaig a veterinary nurse and lead cheetah keeper at the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia. I had the pleasure to interview Ashley during my visit as a working guest volunteer at CCF in February. I was honored to go out with her on some rounds to check on the cheetahs that will be released one day and feed and exercise the older cheetahs that cannot be released. Watching and helping her work, I could feel her passion and love for these beautiful cats. Ashley is from Florida and has been at CCF for almost 10 months now. Her love for nature and conservation started young when she became active in the Outdoor Recreational Center. She earned her Bachelors degree in Biology and a minor in Environmental policy. During her internships she developed a love and passion for wildlife and soon found herself working with big cats. During this time she met Charlie, her first cheetah love. After graduation she was hired as a lead feline keeper and intern coordinator at the Panther Ridge Conservation Center. This experience sparked her interest in zoological medicine and so she pursued her Veterinary Nursing certification and now here she is working with cheetahs at CCF. Recent blog written by Ashley about the loss of Mendel https://cheetah.org/blog/12327/ - RIP Mendel More on Ashley: http://cheetah.org/ashley-flaig/ More on CCF: http://cheetah.org
Bernadette & Andrew Peirce are a wonderful couple who do a movie podcast (the AB Film Review), and are just fun and cool people. We got together to discuss the dynamic of psychological burnout, a condition that affects physical and mental health, as well as the economy. Andrew has worked in the Veterinary Nursing industry, and Bernie has provided addiction recovery and crisis stabilization services within Mental Health Treatment facilities. They are both acutely aware of the reality of mental health and burnout needs upon individuals and society. We discuss stigma of mental health treatment, acceptance of self, finding an outlet, and avoiding falling off the cliff of burnout.
CliffCentral.com — Ever thought about Veterinary Nursing as a career? Well, if you or someone you know has a passion for healing and helping animals, Sr. Dalene Jansen van Vuuren from the Veterinary Nurses Association of South Africa, has some advise on the pros and cons of Veterinary Nursing as a career in South Africa.
In this VetGirl podcast, we interview David Liss, BA, RVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM), CVPM, who is an internal medicine and emergency critical care veterinary technician and the Program Director in Veterinary Technology at Platt College. Here, he provides a review and some tips of veterinary nursing, and why it's so essential to our critically ill, emergent patients! Follow him on Facebook here!
In this VetGirl podcast, we interview David Liss, BA, RVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM), CVPM, who is an internal medicine and emergency critical care veterinary technician and the Program Director in Veterinary Technology at Platt College. Here, he provides a review and some tips of veterinary nursing, and why it's so essential to our critically ill, emergent patients! Follow him on Facebook here!
Everyone knows that the nurses are really in charge!!...Having already undergone some substantial changes over the last two decades or so, veterinary nursing in the United Kingdom remains in the midst of changing times as nurses continue to work for greater recognition, endorsement and accountability. This podcast features Hayley Carne BSc (Hons) RVN Grad Dip, Assistant Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing at the Royal Veterinary College. Some of the things we discuss include how to become a veterinary nurse, potential career options, procedures and treatments registered nurses are allowed to do, and CPD requirements. We also touch on some more potentially contentious issues such as what impact the move towards greater qualification may have on attitudes towards basic patient care, and the future for individuals who have worked as veterinary nurses for some time without formal qualification. Find out more about nursing courses offered by the RVC at the links below: Foundation Degree in Veterinary NursingBSc in Veterinary NursingGraduate Diploma If you have any comments or suggestions, please get in touch (email sjasani@rvc.ac.uk; tweet @RoyalVetCollege using #saclinpod; or use the RVC's Facebook page). Also please rate the podcasts in iTunes.
Everyone knows that the nurses are really in charge!!...Having already undergone some substantial changes over the last two decades or so, veterinary nursing in the United Kingdom remains in the midst of changing times as nurses continue to work for greater recognition, endorsement and accountability. This podcast features Hayley Carne BSc (Hons) RVN Grad Dip, Assistant Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing at the Royal Veterinary College. Some of the things we discuss include how to become a veterinary nurse, potential career options, procedures and treatments registered nurses are allowed to do, and CPD requirements. We also touch on some more potentially contentious issues such as what impact the move towards greater qualification may have on attitudes towards basic patient care, and the future for individuals who have worked as veterinary nurses for some time without formal qualification. Find out more about nursing courses offered by the RVC at the links below: Foundation Degree in Veterinary NursingBSc in Veterinary NursingGraduate Diploma If you have any comments or suggestions, please get in touch (email sjasani@rvc.ac.uk; tweet @RoyalVetCollege using #saclinpod; or use the RVC's Facebook page). Also please rate the podcasts in iTunes.