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 TOGETHER I gained my BSc (Hons) VN degree in 2003By leading in a range of clinical governance and qualityThrough the CertAVN program, we aimed to offer structured and returned to the RVC to set up the firstimprovement initiatives and finding their own voice inguidance and support to our learners in navigating clinical veterinary Clinical Skills Centre in the UK.practice, I believe these learners become sources of inspirationgovernance. Our goal was to empower them with the abilitiesDuring a two-year fellowship as afor other veterinary nurses.and confidence needed to embrace these essential activities. Veterinary Skills Developer for the LIVESince our first intake of students in 2021, our CertAVN courseWe created tailored learning and assessment activities, project, I developed and produced thehas successfully guided over 55 RVNs from all over the UKensuring a consistent level of instruction and support RVCs BVetMed Day One Skills.through the process of creating their own clinical audit reportsthroughout the journey. I n 2007, I set up and ran the Graduateand knowledge summaries. We believe that RVNs have promising opportunities for Diploma in Professional and ClinicalThese RVNs are the ones making a difference and its greatdiversification and expanded roles in specialised areas Veterinary Nursing.of practice. To prepare them for increased professionalIn 2020, I set up the Graduate Certificatesto see them empowered to disseminate their research, shareresponsibility, we strive to equip them with the skills to be and Postgraduate Certificates intheir knowledge, and improve the quality of clinical practiceproactive leaders in the quality improvement team. Advanced Veterinary Nursing. across the UK. It emphasises how experiential learning,In 2023, I was appointed the first VN to beactivities and support for learners at each stage of theirWhat are the biggest challenges you have encountered journey can really drive positive change in the profession andin this journey and how have you overcome them?Director of Veterinary Nursing at the RVC. in clinical practice.There have been challenges, foremost among them being theIm also an Editor for The Veterinaryestablishment of the course itself from scratch in a relatively Nurse.short space of time and getting it through the rigorous By leading in a range of clinical governanceuniversity validation processes and RCVS accreditation and quality improvement initiatives and findingapplication. their own voice in practice, I believe theseThe first year demanded intense effort and, as a small team, we faced the task of instructing learners on clinical governance learners become sources of inspiration for otheractivities at a level we hadnt previously undertaken. This veterinary nurses.presented a steep learning curve for us. Support from our own network and the application of time management skills were pivotal in overcoming these challenges and played a crucial What motivated you to want to change things? role in getting the course up and running and successful. My motivation to drive change stemmed from several factors.Despite the initial hurdles, our wonderful and resilient Firstly, the introduction of the RCVSs new framework forCertAVN students surpassed our expectations and working post-registration qualifications presented an opportunity toclosely with our first two student cohorts has proven to be enhance career progression options for RVNs, aligning with theincredibly rewarding. Their approach to their studies and professions evolving vision and the efforts of groups like VNclinical governance activities, the exceptional quality of Futures. their work, their collaborative spirit, and their enthusiasm Recognising the significance of clinical governance in informedfor sharing and disseminating their findings have all been veterinary care, and the shift towards acknowledging thatremarkably positive experiences. So, really, the challenge of these activities are the collective responsibility of the entireestablishing the course was met with remarkable success, veterinary team, we were motivated to address the relativethanks to our own support network and our amazing RVN unfamiliarity many RVNs had with these concepts.students.www.veterinarywoman.co.uk 37'