Page 58 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2022

Celebrating Veterinary Nursing alumni

Hilary Orpet, Co-Course Director FdScVN & BScVN and Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing

he first cohort of the Foundation wide range of patients, as well as being always a very proud moment, and it is
in Science in Veterinary Nursing responsible for the management and wonderful to see the next generation of
course started in August maintenance of the RVC’s PACS systems veterinary nurses going out into practice.
T2004. At that time, the course and integrated image viewing solution.’’ I started working for University Centre
consisted of part one and part two, Askham Bryan College in August 2017.
each lasting 18 months in order to My current position is Higher Education
incorporate the required placement Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing. I am
time. In 2008, we started a BSc the Course Manager for the Level 5
pathway and since then have provided FdSc Veterinary Nursing students and
a flexible route to gain a BScVN, implement the OSCE assessments.’’
regardless of the pathway initially taken.
Georgina Tyrell
In that first cohort we had 18 students, RVN BScVN
and since then over 500 students have graduated in 2012
graduated, with Cohort 16 graduating and was one of our
this July. first cohort of BSc
Abi Edis RVN FdScVN graduated in pathway students.
The course was recently re-validated
and re-accredited by the RCVS, with 2010 and now helps to teach students She spent some
the newer version being rolled out about exotic animal care. time at the RVC
to our 2020 intake of students. The ‘‘I have worked at the Beaumont QMHA as a Hospital
combination of the taught aspects of Sainsbury Animal Hospital in the Exotics Coordinator before
the course and the invaluable placement Service since 2013. My job involves moving to our first opinion and referral
time have provided a good foundation in all aspects of nursing all manner of exotics hospital in Camden.
which many of our students have gone species and I’ve seen everything from ‘‘I have recently started my new role
onto to take up positions of leadership 4g frogs to over 40kg sea turtles in my as Clinical Operations Manager at the
in the profession, as head veterinary role. I particularly enjoy anaesthesia and Beaumont Sainsburys Animal Hospital.
nurses, educators or researchers. theatre work and thrive on emergency I am responsible for the smooth running
care, which unfortunately comes with the of the hospital on a day-to-day basis.
I thought it was time to celebrate some of territory when working with exotic pets. I I lead various projects and oversee their
these successes with some of our alumni.
also love avian medicine and have a keen implementation. The role is very enjoyable,
interest in guinea pigs. Since working at and every day is different.”
the Beaumont, I have lectured at national Cath Dean RVN BScVN graduated in
and international conferences, published 2013 and is now the Veterinary Nursing
in various journals and undertaken Post Registration Programme Manager
clinical research.’’
for Linnaeus.
‘‘After graduating with a BSc (Hons)
in Veterinary Nursing, I moved straight into
referral nursing, rotating through a busy
hospital. I now work for Linnaeus as a Post-
Registration Programme Manager, where I
support newly qualified nurses who want to
work in referral practices with a supportive
one-year programme, ensuring they are
Ashley Moors RVN FdScVN graduated exposed to a variety of cases and develop
in 2010 and was a member of one of our
early cohorts:
‘‘I am employed as a Veterinary Jess Parkes RVN BScVN graduated
Radiographer in the Queen Mother in 2013 – she is Course Manager at
Hospital for Animal’s (QMHA) Diagnostic Askham Bryan and recently became
Imaging Department, acquiring Computed an External Examiner for our courses
Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance at the RVC. ‘‘Education is a very
Imaging (MRI), Fluoroscopy and Standard rewarding career and I love teaching and
Digital Radiography studies across a supporting our students. Graduation is

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