Page 12 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2023

An exciting year of firsts for

Veterinary Nursing at the RVC

This year has been filled with celebrations of our nurses’

contributions and achievements, along with exciting new

developments that promote and showcase the professional
growth of our veterinary nurses.

New Director and Deputy Perdi Welsh said: “I’m delighted to Breaking new ground:
Director of Veterinary Nursing have been appointed as Director ESVONC Nurse’s Conference
of Veterinary Nursing. It’s extremely opens new avenues for
In April, RVN Perdi Welsh was appointed
as the Director of Veterinary Nursing, rewarding and an honour to be working Veterinary Nurses in Oncology
with RVN Hilary Orpet assuming the role with many fabulous VN colleagues Veterinary Nurses have embarked
of Deputy Director. These appointments at the RVC on innovative projects to on a new chapter of recognition,
mark a significant milestone, as it is the positively impact the advancement of collaboration, and growth within the field
first time a veterinary nurse has been veterinary nurses and the veterinary of oncology. RVN, Nicola Read, Head
assigned as the Director of Veterinary nursing profession, as well as continue Oncology Nurse at the RVC’s Queen
Nursing at the RVC. This move to explore ways we can offer increased Mother Hospital for Animals (QMHA),
demonstrates the RVC’s commitment professional progression opportunities.” coordinated the third European Society
to leading veterinary nursing (VN) Hilary Orpet told us: “This is an amazing of Veterinary Oncology (ESVONC)
education and clinical excellence, while opportunity to expand our horizons and Nurse’s conference in Alicante.
also enhancing the quality, creation, and develop a connected community of The groundbreaking event ran alongside
dissemination of VN evidence. veterinary nurses at different stages of the longstanding Veterinary Stream
In her new role, Perdi, with the invaluable their career. I have worked with Perdi and welcomed VNs from across the
support of Hilary, is providing leadership over many years and on many different continent to delve into a comprehensive
and direction for the School of Veterinary projects – and working with such a programme featuring practical, cutting-
Nursing. If you are RVC VN alumni, you creative and productive team will ensure edge, and interprofessional sessions led
would likely have been taught by either that veterinary nursing at the RVC is by world-renowned specialists, while
one or both during your time here! leading the profession.” enjoying a vibrant social programme.
The significance of this conference
extended far beyond its enriching
sessions. During the event, an important
milestone was reached, as VNs were
granted ESVONC membership status.
This marks a turning point for VNs,
as it opens access to a society that
was previously reserved solely for
veterinarians. It signifies the profession’s
recognition of the invaluable contribution
VNs make in the collaborative aim to
further scientific progress of veterinary
and comparative oncology.
At the conference, Nicola Read was
deservedly elected as the inaugural
ESVONC VN Liaison Officer. In this
role, she will collaborate with the
executive committee to support VNs
by fostering educational opportunities
and coordinating research. Nicola will
also collaborate with other oncology VN
specialists to facilitate the exchange of
Perdi Welsh (left) and Hilary Orpet (right)
information, making it more accessible
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