b'EMPOWERED TO INSPIRE, ACHIEVE AND LEAD TOGETHEREMPOWERED TO INSPIRE, ACHIEVE AND LEAD TOGETHEREMPOWERED TO INSPIRE, ACHIEVE AND LEAD TOGETHEREMPOWERED TO INSPIRE, VETERINARY WOMAN CHAMPIONS FOR CHANGEACHIEVE & LEAD TOGETHERRacheal Marshall HEAD OF CLINICAL NURSING AT VETS NOWRacheal Marshall is head of clinical nursing at Vets Now, as well as the new coordinator for the Vets Now ECC Congress. Her work is aimed at creating diversity in vet nursing and helping nurses to expand their potential to stay motivated and engaged within the profession. Read on to find out more about how Racheal is championing change for veterinary nurses:How are you working towards change in the veterinaryWe need to make sure our nurses of the future understand the professions and why do you feel this is important? opportunities of being a veterinary nurse and that its not all In the role Ive held at Vets Now for almost a decade, Iveabout fluffy puppies! dedicated my time to helping our nurses achieve and expandAnd finally, Ive taken on the role of one of the ECC Congress their potential, by encouraging them to unlock and use all ofcoordinators this year.The event is the most important date in their skills. Im responsible for the strategic development ofthe calendar year for ECC CPD in the UK, and Im pleased that all of our nursing teams and I work as part of our Veterinarywere launching the very first Advanced Nursing Stream at the S U M M A R Y and Nursing Standards team to drive professional and clinicalCongress this year. We have been coming up with the concepts, standards and help develop and offer industry-leading trainingselecting the speakers, deciding on topics and thinking about Iqualified as a veterinary nurse in 2003and CPD.how the streams will look. So in short, were a busy team. whilst working in a busy general practice where I remained for the next three yearsIn terms of current projects we have on the go which areHow do you feel this is making a difference?as Senior Nurse.instilling change, were working really progressively withOur efforts are making a tangible difference in a couple ofAfter a short period working as aregards to nurse-led practice, which is all about enhancingimportant ways. Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing & Animalthe nursing role within our clinics.Management, I returned to nursing as anI also led the set-up of our Ethnic Diversity NursingFirstly, were contributing to a greater diversity within our Emergency & Critical Care (ECC) nurseScholarship, now in its third year - which helps support peopleprofession. While this might seem like a small step, its an working for Vets Now in 2008, movingfrom ethnic minority backgrounds to start their career asessential one if were to truly and collectively effect change. onto roles including Principal Nurseveterinary nursing professionals. Open to people from ethnicIts crucial that our field becomes more representative of the Manager and District Manager.minority backgrounds applying to enter one of the UK orclients and communities we serve.I achieved the Veterinary NursingROI veterinary nursing colleges, successful candidates areSecondly, our initiatives are helping to cultivate a sense of Certificate in Emergency and Critical Careawarded a 2,500 annual grant per year during their degree,confidence and pride in our roles as nurses. This self-assurance in 2011 and in 2014 I took up my currentmentoring from the Vets Now Ethnic Diversity Scholarshipnot only keeps nurses engaged and motivated to stay within position of Head of Clinical Nursingboard members, and a support network to help them throughthe profession but also encourages them to explore the where Im responsible for the clinical andtheir studies.various opportunities that lie ahead in their careers. I feel professional standards of our veterinaryreally passionately that nurses hold the potential to make nurses. Im also a STEM school ambassador for vet nursing so Isignificant contributions in so many different ways.regularly give talks to school age children. Im all about demonstrating what a career in vet nursing is really like. 14www.veterinarywoman.co.uk'