Page 20 - Eclipse - RVC Alumni Magazine - Autumn 2020

Veterinary nurses share career stories with current students
In February, the third-year VN students undertook their final module, Professional Practice on campus. Some alumni and other members
of the VN community were invited to explore their career paths with our students, focusing on the wild and wonderful opportunities that may lay ahead and how to access them.
Those who attended were: Shirley Gibbins, the VN Qualifications Manager
at the RCVS, who discussed what it is
like to work within veterinary education without lecturing; Rachel Harron, a Clinical Research Project Manager, who explored how an RVN has a unique set of skills to manage a team of researchers and ensure the welfare of the research subjects; and Jo Hinde, BVNA President, who discussed what it is like to work for the BVNA, being a CPD provider and how the unexpected changes that can occur in your career can lead to other opportunities.
We also welcomed two representatives from Street Vet, Fraje Watson and Jen O'Keeffe, to discuss how they utilise their RVN skills whilst volunteering,
in addition to their full-time roles as a PhD student and RVN working within interventional radiography.
We also discussed working with a range of species with Sophie Sparrow, Senior Veterinary Nurse at the iconic ZSL London Zoo, and Daina Rawlings, The Global Vet Nurse, in addition to Equine Nursing with Anne Taylor Pantry, Head Vet Nurse at the RVC’s very own Equine Referral Hospital.
Finally, the students discussed the structured career progression pathways, that are being introduced throughout the sector, with Andrea Jeffery and Sophie Venables from Linnaeus. From the staff and students, thank you to
all our guests, who made the day so memorable and informative.
After all this excitement, the module drew to a close with the now traditional VN Bake Off and the very traditional last day of lectures fancy dress, with this year’s theme being superheroes. More pictures from the last day of lectures can be found on page 38.
The VN team would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all 2020 RVC graduates – we cannot wait to hear where your career paths take you!
If you are in a role that you did not expect to be in when you left the RVC as an RVN and would be happy to speak to our students about this, please email alumni@rvc.ac.uk
20
RVC staff Hilary, Sarah and Evie enjoying the last day of lectures with the VN students