In April 2019, I spent 5 days gaining work experience at a local equine veterinary practice; I gained invaluable insight into the day-to-day running of a veterinary practice. Whilst there I witnessed a wide range of procedures ranging from taking blood, x-rays, ultra-sounds, laser surgery, nerve blocks, and kissing spine surgery. Witnessing these operations and procedures fascinated and intrigued me and only heightened my desire to one day carry out similar procedures myself and gain more experience and volunteer in the profession in the future. In April 2020, I have 1 week of work experience at a small animal practice.
Whether I was helping to take care of my animals or helping out at the local stables; I have been surrounded by animals from when I was little. However, it was not until a cat of mine became extremely ill, that I realized the effect that veterinary nurses can have on the lives of both animals and people, by monitoring his health to giving me support. I too wanted the chance to be able to help the lives of not only animals but the people who love them.
My voluntary work (in 2013) at World Horse Welfare, kick-started my passion to help animals in need due to seeing the team care and sick nurse the horses back to good health and seeing them get re-homed happy and healthy. Knowing that I helped contribute to that, made me want to help more. Having been invited back, I was able to undertake more responsibility, including close monitoring of horse’s health whilst keeping records which is a vital skill towards working as a veterinary nurse; also, the regression and sometimes progression of the disease is followed along with the impact on the affected animal. Throughout all placements, I excelled in my communication skills with the rest of the team and got involved in all tasks.
In addition, in 2017, I started volunteering at my local riding school during weekends after finishing my GCSEs. This progressed to a part-time job where tasks involved general management of a working livery yard and riding school; through this I gained valuable communication skills whilst dealing with clients, being able to make myself clear and understood. This job highlighted to me how the day-to-day management of animals can have a profound effect on individual animals' welfare. This also led to the occasional work with small animals. I have honest care for animals but, I do not get attached to them, which is a key skill in this area due to seeing and taking care of so many animals.
Veterinary nursing is a crucial role in the veterinary team by providing professional nursing care for sick animals. They help to educate owners on maintaining the health of their pets during and after treatment; carry out skilled technical work and undertake a range of; minor surgical procedures, and diagnostic tests, whilst continuing to have a working dialogue with the rest of the practice. Furthermore, providing support to their owners before and after operations; providing knowledge on nutrition and preventative care and behavioral advice. Finally, veterinary nursing is a great career pathway for anyone passionate about animal health and welfare. There is a demand for veterinary nurses around the world, as more medical research and development increases.
I believe that studying veterinary nursing at university can only increase my passion for animals and will allow me to fulfill my ambition to become a veterinary nurse, as well as enable me to become a more responsible and well-rounded person.