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CLASSNOTES

their professional skills, whilst providing clients whilst maintaining the highest level UK whilst attending conferences to
the support to thrive. My role is varied and of professional standards. Much of my disseminate my results. I am considering
encompasses pastoral support for the role involves managing the administration studying for a PhD in the near future to
RVN’s on the programme, training those functions of the clinical support teams to improve my research skills further, with
who work with them in practice and running include recruitment and staffing.’ the long-term aim of helping to teach
educational days for the RVNs. I am proud future veterinary nurses.’’
to be supporting newly qualified nurses on More information on this,
their journey to becoming confident referral and other RVC research
RVNs, whilst also enjoying the challenges a projects, can be found here:
role like this brings.’’ www.rvc.ac.uk/research/projects
Other graduates include:
Evie Yon (nee Hall) RVN BScVN
graduated in 2016. She recently gained
her Diploma in Veterinary Education and
is a Teaching Fellow within the RVC
VN team. She is also Deputy Course
Maria Jackson RVN BScVN
graduated in 2021 and after completing Director for the Certificate in Advanced
her undergraduate project decided to Veterinary Nursing.
continue her research at the RVC. Jo Oakden (nee Butters) RVN FdScVN,
graduated in 2008 and became BVNA
‘‘I was studying for a Master of
Research, which was completed in President 2020-2021
Betsy Malamah-Thomas RVN BScVN September. I undertook a project about Ruby Clarke RVN FdScVN graduated
graduated in 2016 and recently returned whether lop-eared rabbits have more in 2013, now Head Veterinary Nurse at
to working at the QMHA, now dental and aural disease than erect- Fitzpatrick Referrals
in a managerial role as Clinical eared rabbits, using VetCompass
Support Manager. Fraje Watson RVN BScVN graduated in
data to look at cases from across the 2013 and went on to complete a Master
‘‘I oversee and work with the clinical UK. The results will be presented for of Research at the RVC in 2017. She
support team at the QMHA. The clinical the first time at the BVZS conference is now completing her PhD, ‘Towards
support is made up of RVNs, patient care in November. I have enjoyed doing measuring dynamic spinal balance with
assistants, theatre diagnostic assistants, this research knowing that the results wearable activity trackers’, at University
radiographers, dispensary assistants, will help to improve rabbit welfare by College London.
and sterilising technicians. Within the encouraging healthier breeding of less
team, I work alongside the Head/Senior extreme conformations and highlight to There are many others, and we would love
Nurses, Head Radiographer and Head vets and nurses what breeds to keep a to hear from you – let us know what you
Dispensary Technician to ensure the closer eye on. For now, I plan to continue are doing! Email alumni@rvc.ac.uk with
provision of excellent care to patients and working as a locum nurse across the your career journey.

Can you offer a placement?

An essential part of the BScVN theory modules. During this third year they will be honing their professional
course involves placements in skills as well as carrying out audits and knowledge summaries, as they will have
a veterinary practice, and I am covered all their clinical skill teaching in years one and two.
sure many of our graduates Placement time in the Foundation degree programme:
would agree. We work with the
College of Animal Welfare in TERM FIRST YEAR SECOND YEAR THIRD YEAR
securing a variety of placement
opportunities for our students. 1 Sept–Dec Theory (11 weeks) Placement (12 weeks) Placement 4 days /week
Many of our students go on to
take up positions in the practices 2 Jan–April Theory (11 weeks) Theory (10 weeks) Placement 4 days /week
they have been undertaking
placements in, so it is a good 3 May–August Placement Theory (6 weeks) Additional placement
opportunity to play a part in (15 weeks) Placement (7 weeks) if required
training your own staff.
The course has placements If you are interested in providing one of our veterinary nursing students with
integrated with placements in year a placement, please contact us, VNschool@rvc.ac.uk or Karen Brightman at
one and two. In year three the kbrightman@caw.ac.uk.
students are on placement from If you would like to know more about the courses please see our website
September – May, spending one www.rvc.ac.uk/study/undergraduate or contact Hilary Orpet (horpet@rvc.ac.uk).
day each week completing the

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