In this VN Times podcast, editor Lacey Pitcher RVN discusses the broad opportunities of a vet nurse passport with Donna Wills, an RVN and animal physiotherapist.
Donna shares her career pivots and the decisions that have led her to now support from the other side of the consult table to provide more holistic care for animals and their people.
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𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗔 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗦 𝗥𝗩𝗡, 𝗣𝗴𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗔 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀, 𝗠𝗜𝗥𝗩𝗔𝗣(𝗩𝗣)
Donna qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2003 and has worked in small animal practices, veterinary hospitals, ECC and rescue homes.
Having qualified as an animal physiotherapist in 2005, Donna set up Animal Physiotherapy Ltd and went on to establish physio clinics in the south of England, hosted by five veterinary practices and the Pet Spa at Harrods – the latter of which led to media work.
Outside of work, Donna is a keen gymnast, and is proud to have represented Britain in the Masters Cup at the age of 42.
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50:57
Ep 47: Happy Hour 16 – The profession and parenting, are we progressing?
VN Happy Hour made a triumphant return for Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month 2024, tackling the topic of parenting in the profession and asking, are we progressing?
VN Times editor Lacey Pitcher was joined by a brilliant panel who shared their wisdom and candour to bring the community together and answer some tricky questions.
Guests included @mortagefreeleigh – a content creator passionate about tax-free childcare and making things less overwhelming – who provided our audience with some great advice and signposting. Lianne then joined our panel of Emma Townson and Miles Asteri, both experienced RVNs who have worked in a range of roles to unpack key themes such as flexible working.
Happy Hour returned with a bang and we hope you enjoy the conversation.
Useful links:
https://mortgagefreeleigh.com/
https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/tax-free-childcare/
https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/find-information/?information_filter_search=1&tags%5B%5D=g_0_4230&tags%5B%5D=g_0_4219&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw9cCyBhBzEiwAJTUWNbsbBheL94I_eHwPc3pNKHHT6d8l5Za2UbXP3ZEv2u9d77DWQu__qRoCFf8QAvD_BwE
https://www.cipd.org/uk/knowledge/factsheets/flexible-working-factsheet/
Sponsor
https://www.lintbellsvet.com/pages/mobility-library
https://vetactivelife.com/
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43:36
Ep 46: Leaving nursing but remaining part of the community
In this episode of the VN Times podcast editor Lacey discusses leaving clinical work with Sophie Giddens, a former Equine RVN who has forged a career supporting veterinary clinics while utilising many of her skills acquired in the clinic.
Sophie reflects candidly about not necessarily having a plan when leaving her role, and the power of community and networks while making career connections.
𝗦𝗢𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗘 𝗚𝗜𝗗𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗦
Sophie works at VET.CT as a group case manager and trainer, helping with the training of the case manager team and taking responsibility for IT design and developments that improve the operations team workflows.
After working at an equine hospital as a nurse for 12 years Sophie made the move to a non-clinical role at VET.CT. Being able to move out of clinical practice while still being able to work closely with, and positively impact, the veterinary industry has made the change in career a successful one.
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32:10
Ep 45: The human-animal bond, a vet nurse’s role
In this VN Times Podcast, editor Lacey Pitcher RVN discusses careers with Kirsty Cavill.
Kirsty has a passion for veterinary nursing that has allowed her to develop and utilise her skills in a variety of ways to not only help improve animal welfare but also provide accessible care in a variety of ways.
Kirsty, an award-winning vet nurse, shares her advice and insight to help other consider how they can support and nurture the human-animal bond.
𝘕𝘖𝘛𝘌: 𝘋𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘦𝘴, 𝘸𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰 𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘥𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳.
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25:59
Ep 44: Pivots and peer mentoring, with Sara Ho-Le
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.
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𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗔 𝗛𝗢-𝗟𝗘 𝗥𝗩𝗡
Sara completed her veterinary nursing diploma after passing the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in 2011. After working in clinical practice for several years, Sara obtained RCVS clinical coach status and is passionate about the training and development of student veterinary nurses.
In 2018 Sara returned to study and completed the Certificate in Veterinary Nursing for Emergency and Critical Care (CertVNECC) through VetsNow Ltd. In 2022 Sara obtained the Veterinary Technician Specialist qualification in Emergency and Critical Care through the Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians and Nurses (AVECCTN).
Sara has worked in a variety of practices, including first opinion, specialist centres, university teaching hospitals, and not-for-profit organisations in the United Kingdom and Australia.
She currently works as the training and development coordinator at one of Melbourne's largest veterinary hospitals. Sara’s professional interests include emergency and critical care nursing, disease pathophysiology, anaesthesia and analgesia, wound care, and in-clinic teaching and training.
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𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
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The monthly VN Times podcast takes a deep dive into the issues impacting on the veterinary nursing profession. From making the right career choices to dealing with disability – it's no holds barred with editor Lacey Pitcher.
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