b'PROFILEASHLEY WILKIEAshley Wilkie RVN, is a veterinary nurse and Associate Director with Thrums Vets, Scotlands largest independent practice. She describes how her career developed and how she is fuelled by her drive for continually creating a positive working environment.Please give a brief summary of your career path so farfeel free to share what motivated your career decisions:In the summer of 1995, our High School sent us on a weeks work experience with companies in our community. This was to help us decide career paths and ensure we gained invaluable experience which would always look good on an application and a CV.With a passion for animals, like many teenage girls, I was sent to Thrums Vets, my local practice. I loved my week - I remember watching small animal surgeries and helping in the prep room and kennels as well as being taken to a calving (which ended up as an embryotomy) and some routine equine visits. In 1997, my final year at High School, Thrums directors offered me a position to do my veterinary nursing degree and I grasped it Registered Veterinary Nurse.The team at with both hands.Thrums supported my learning throughout, I was very lucky. The staff were so welcoming and it securedAs my confidence and skill set grew, I loved my passion to want to become part of theeverything from anaesthesia to Schedule veterinary community. 3 procedures, becoming competent in My willingness to work and can do attitudeminor surgeries and taking pride in my secured me a Saturday job with thewound closures. I enjoyed consulting and company not long after my week withran a weight loss clinic for our podgy pups! them. This role included cleaning, generalI also led some very successful puppy husbandry, restocking and assisting withsocialisation classes which were always the patients - I loved it.well attended and received by clients. In 1997, my final year at High School, ThrumsIn 2006, I was promoted to Head Nurse and directors offered me a position to do mybegan to grow our team as the business veterinary nursing degree and I grasped itcontinued to grow. Helping new staff settle with both hands. Back then, there was onlyin and find their niche has always been one nurse in the practice but the businesssatisfying. was growing steadily so my position was justified. I studied at Edinburghs TelfordYears of growing the business, the client College and in 2000 gained the titlenumbers and the team seemed to pass Veterinary Nurse which later becamewith many highs, and sadly some lows - not www.inspiredvet.co.uk11'