VN Times Podcast

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. ••• 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗔 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗦 𝗥𝗩𝗡, 𝗣𝗴𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗔 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀, 𝗠𝗜𝗥𝗩𝗔𝗣(𝗩𝗣) Donna qu...

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...

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. 𝗦𝗢𝗣𝗛...

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 the...

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. ••••••••••••••• 𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗔 𝗛𝗢-...

In this episode, VN Times editor Lacey Pitcher welcomes experienced RVN Helen Harris to discuss squiggly careers and falling back in love with veterinary nursing. Helen’s career has been varied including GP, charity and shelter medicine and now, zoo nursing. Helen discusses starting out as a veterinary nurse and how her various workplaces have shaped not only her career, but her outlook on animal...

In this episode, VN Times editor Lacey Pitcher welcomes experienced RVNs Jackie Hay and Michelle Barley, two of the nurses behind UK Vet Nurses Worldwide, an initiative dedicated to advancing animal care worldwide by helping facilitate skilled vet nurses sharing their knowledge and education with others to help improve animal welfare. Despite experiencing technical issues, Jackie and Michelle rall...

In this episode, VN Times editor Lacey Pitcher talks to RVN Laura Jones, founder of www.veterinaryinternalmedicinenursing.com and veterinary technician specialist in small animal medicine. Laura is a regular speaker at many big conferences around the UK and further afield, but in this podcast we learn about the person behind the accolades and how she is sharing her passion for medicine with other...

In this VN Times podcast editor Lacey Pitcher speaks to Laura Hughes about the importance of conversations surrounding nutrition. Laura is a veterinary nurse development manager at Purina PetCare who firmly believes that supporting nurses has a direct impact on animal welfare. This conversation includes: • what the Purina Institute offers nurses • CentreSquare resources and tools • a teaser of wha...

In this episode, we join Congress Times editor Tom Jackson as he speaks with BVNA president Charlotte Pace, who provides some practical advice for veterinary nurses who may wish to develop the knowledge and skills required to successfully and confidently support cardiology patients in their care. Charlotte looks at the definition of heart disease – which presents differently in different species –...

Arlene Connor, national referral nursing lead (UK referrals division) and Helen Rooney, clinical and development support (referrals) at IVC, join VN Times editor Rachael Buzzel to chat about their career journeys and what referral nursing means to them. They also discuss the launch of IVC Evidensia’s Introduction to Referral Nursing Programme, on which you can find further information at https://b...

Linnaeus chief nursing officer Andrea Jeffery and RVN Sue Badger, who has been in the profession for more than 50 years, join VN Times editor Rachael Buzzel to discuss their new book Professionalism and Reflection in Veterinary Nursing. A project more than 10 years in the making, Andrea and Sue hope the book will support the evolution of the professional RVN and equip vet nurses to contribute to t...

VN Happy Hour welcomed three of the biggest names in UK veterinary nursing when the hugely successful live event returned on 23 February 2023. The online event saw a lively discussion around the theme of “Protect the title”, during which our panel discussed why it’s so important to protect the “veterinary nurse” title and what this would mean for you as a VN, as well as the profession. More than 1...

RVN and clinical tutor in veterinary nursing at Myerscough College Rachel Pilling has always had a passion for well-being and is a strong advocate in supporting mental health of veterinary professionals. Having always wanted to become a wellness coach, the time never seemed to be right. However, a devastating diagnosis for Rachel paved the way to building a new business to help others look after t...

As fireworks season approaches, RVN Nikki McLeod joins VN Times editor Rachael Buzzel to advise on how practices can support pet owners and their pets through this unsettling time and why vet nurses are perfectly placed to do this. 𝗡𝗜𝗞𝗞𝗜 𝗠𝗰𝗟𝗘𝗢𝗗, 𝗕𝗦𝗰(𝗛𝗼𝗻𝘀) 𝗥𝗩𝗡, 𝗜𝗦𝗙𝗠 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗙𝗡 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗙𝗕 Nikki, a self-confessed “crazy cat lady” and “study geek”, has been an RVN since 2000. She is a cat advocate and...

After a bit of a break, regular hosts Rachael Buzzel and James Westgate hit the ground running with a Medivet sponsored episode titled “Know your worth – are VNs paid enough? How to gain confidence when talking about money”. Our lead interview is with BVNA council member Lyndsay Hughes, who spearheads a nursing network within XLVets and believes empowering nurses will lead to improved confidence i...

This month, VN Times editor Rachael Buzzel is joined by locum RVN Jack Pye, who specialises in emergency and critical care and has a passion for ultrasonography. Jack is also a member of BVNA council, sits on the VN Times editorial board, and is a regular guest, contributor and official quizmaster on VN Happy Hour. He joins Rachael to discuss his love for ultrasonography; from the lightbulb moment...

Building resilience has been the theme of Alexandra Taylor’s year as BVNA president – and she joins us to review some of those initiatives, as well as preview how the campaign will conclude at congress. Charlotte Pace, who will take over as president at congress, also joins us to provide an insight into her aims and objectives around the theme of empowerment. Mrs Taylor and Ms Pace also discuss th...

RVN Nicola Lakeman is the keynote speaker at BVNA Congress 2022 – and her lecture will give an insight into how resilience has played a part in her career. Ahead of congress, Ms Lakeman joined us to share her excitement for the event and discuss how she hopes delegates will be able to relate to her experiences. “Building resilience” is the headline theme of congress, which takes place at Telford I...

The VN Times VN Happy Hour broadcast on 28 April 2002, entitled “Finding your nursing niche”, looked at how developing a nursing specialism can enhance your clinical career. Guests this month included Emma Gerrard, a specialist staff theatre nurse at a not-for-profit community interest practice and the first VN to hold an officer position for the BSAVA when she was elected regional chairperson and...

Lacey Pitcher tells us all about her new role at the RCVS as part of the Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) team, how the role aligns with her core values and allows her to continue working in practice as a locum RVN. Lacey shares how she balances these two roles, her thoughts on well-being within the profession and her top tips for looking after your own mental health. ____________________ LACEY PITCH...

Join us for February’s Happy Hour as we discuss dog breeding, as well as highlighting good breed health – the VN’s role in education and the pre-purchase journey (consults, campaigns, social media etc). Our amazing panellists for this month’s VN Happy Hour, which took place on 24 February, were: KATHRYNE WRIGLEY (lead interview) Kathryne has a keen interest in canine reproduction and completed her...

VN Times editor Rachael Buzzel is joined by RVN and chair of the Veterinary Critical Care Nurses (VCCN) region of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses (BACCN), Laura Edwards. Laura shares with us plans for the coming year, and explains how the collaboration between human and animal nurses can open the doors to incredible opportunities and possibilities for both professions. ____________...

VN Happy Hour returned on 25 November for a look at obesity and nutrition in companion animals. Hosts Rachael and James were joined by Nicola Lakeman, a well known and very highly respected veterinary nurse with expertise in the fields of nutrition and nursing clinics, as well as Royal Canin Weight Management Clinic Nurse Georgia Woods-Lee and NutritionRVN.com founder Jessica Joosse.

Have you ever wondered what the role of the vet nurse will look like in the years ahead? Have you thought about how the current shortages of veterinary surgeons could be eased by the skills of vet nurses if you were allowed to do more? Or what future training requirements will be like for vet nurses? October’s VN Happy Hour looked at these and other topics affecting vet nurses as we focused on the...