b'PROFILEANDREWWHITFIELD-ROBERTS Andrew Whitfield-Roberts RVN NCert (Physio) DipNCS(RVN Cons) CertNCS (RVN Cons) CertNCS (VPM) is Head Nurse at White Cross Vets and a director of the Veterinary Management Group (VMG). He shares how his passion for education and professional development has informed his own career, and is helping drive positive development for the veterinary industry as a whole. Please give a brief summary of your career path so far: I set out on my career in 2008 as a student VCA and subsequently completed my Animal Nursing Assistant and Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN), qualifying as an RVN in 2015. I had always wanted to become a vet nurseit really was my dream jobso starting in clinic at 16 was very exciting. Since then, Ive held a variety of leadership roles, including Head Nurse, Senior Nurse, and Practice Manager. I currently serve as the Dual Site Head Nurse at White Cross Vets and recently completed a nine-month tenure as Clinical Director. Empowering these highly trained individuals to achieve their full potential is a priority for me and Im also a proud their full potential is a priority for me and representative of maleIm also a proud representative of male veterinary nurses. veterinary nurses. Its great to see the increasing levels of diversity since I first I have pursued continued professionalentered the profession.development (CPD) throughout myIn addition to my clinical and leadership career, completing a BSAVA Merit Awardwork, I am a volunteer director of the in Wound Management, a DiplomaVeterinary Management Group (VMG). and Certificate in Veterinary NurseI joined earlier this year because I Consulting DipNCS (RVN Cons) &Cert NCSwanted to be part of a community (RVN Cons), a Certificate in Veterinarythats driving meaningful change in our Practice Management CertNCSprofessionsupporting, advocating (VPM), and a Nursing Certificate inand championing veterinary leaders at Physiotherapy NCert (Physio). all levels. Im also a trained volunteer As my own CPD suggests, Im passionatelistener at Samaritans and a trustee of about education and professionalDachshund Health UK. developmentand, in particular, theOutside work, I love all things Disney evolving role of RVNs. Empowering theseand breed, judge and show long haired highly trained individuals to achievedachshunds. 38www.inspiredvet.co.uk'