A trainee EVN assisting in surgery and learning about surgical wound closure.Our Nursing Team
Our nursing team comprises qualified REVNs (Registered Equine Veterinary Nurses), RVNs (Registered Veterinary Nurse) and a student RVN (Equine), all of whom provide excellent support to our veterinary surgeons at the hospital and diagnostic centre.
The role of a Rossdales veterinary nurse is varied and challenging. Daily duties include critical care nursing, bandaging and management of wounds, administering complex medical therapies and, for our senior nurses, supervising the operating theatres. Our qualified nurses are able to advise clients on wound care, post-operative care and management of stabling environments when their horse goes home, as directed by the attending clinician.
Two of our nurses spend a considerable amount of time as RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) mentors, training our nursing students. Much time is also spent sharing knowledge and experience with the visiting veterinary students, and the newly graduated veterinary surgeons who take up positions on our Internship Programme. Senior nurse and Past President of the BVNA (British Veterinary Nursing Association) Bonny Millar additionally spends time lecturing, examining and running courses for nursing colleagues from Rossdales and other practices across the country.
What's new with our nursing team?
Our nursing team are committed to continually improving their skills and the services they offer by participating in continuing professional development programmes. The following information gives details of what happened last year and what''s happening professionally in 2012 for members of the team:
- In 2011, Jo Gapp completed her Advanced Certificate in Equine and Canine Veterinary Physiotherapy;
- Natalie Bent passed her first year exams last year and is now in her second year of RCVS Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing;
- Lynn Irving became a certified RCVS NVQ Assessor in 2011;
- Kate Read spent two weeks in Egypt in November to help at the clinic in Luxor which is run by ACE (Animal Care in Egypt), a charity which provides veterinary care to working equids and educates their owners;
- Lisa Taylor has completed her first year of EVN training
- Veronica Brandel has started her training as an EVN student to supplement her RVN qualification.
Trainee Vacancies
We occasionally have vacancies for trainees - these will be advertised on our employment opportunities page as and when they arise.
