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 TOGETHERRuby LambertICU RVN AT THE RVCS QMHA IN HERTFORDSHIRE AND OUT OF HOURSIN EMERGENCY CARE AT THE VETERINARY HOSPITAL IN NORFOLKRuby Lamberts varied veterinary nursing roles allow her to explore the versatility of the profession and the many opportunities it can offer for career development. She is passionate about helping others find satisfaction in their veterinary careers, and in promoting veterinary nursing positively to the public and other professionals. Rubys nomination explained how she is a positive advocate for change within the work place, supporting her colleagues and clients, sharing her own ideas and listening to others to implement change. We couldnt wait to find out more about how Ruby is championing change.Please summarise how you are working towards changeI think nurses especially can lack job satisfaction and feel in the veterinary professions and why do you feel this undervalued, and as we know, the numbers of vets and nurses is important? in the UK is dipping, so I hope I can help to have a positive I hope to inspire the veterinary community, especiallyimpact on the general feeling towards the profession, even if S U M M A R Y veterinary nurses, to realise that there are so manyits just one or two people who can hopefully go on to inspire opportunities out there for veterinary professionals. There areothers to feel the same way. It can be a difficult job at times,Currently, I work out of hours inlots of career paths to explore, and some of them can literallybut it can also be so wonderfully rewarding. emergency care at both The Veterinarytake us all around the world. I am constantly inspired by what Hospital in Norfolk and as an ICU RVN atwe can do, where we can go and the possibilities this profession the RVCs QMHA in Hertfordshire.can allow us to access. I hope I can spread some positivityI also locum at other practices and workand help people to feel the same excitement that I do about as an animal welfare representative forbeing an RVN. Its important for both the general public and animals being used in film and media.veterinary professionals to realise the great job that we can I n my spare time, another passion ofdo in helping animals. Its especially important for veterinary mine is charity work. I lend a hand atprofessionals to feel empowered and supported in their job.my local branch of Streetvet wheneverHow do you feel this is making a difference?possible, to help give something backI believe that job satisfaction is so immensely important. to the community and care for animals that otherwise wouldnt have access toWhat we do as nurses can take a toll on us both mentally veterinary care and medication.and physically, so much so, that burn out and compassion fatigue seems to be more commonplace amongst veterinary professionals than ever; sometimes even forcing them to take time out of their job or leave the profession altogether. I hope to encourage people to explore other opportunities and pathways within this career as there is so much more to this job than working day in and day out in general practice. 22www.veterinarywoman.co.uk'