VET NURSE AWARENESS MONTH: Q&A WITH BRYONY GILDER
May is Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month, a whole month dedicated to raising awareness of the veterinary nursing profession and the vital role they play in animal care and treatment.
What was started as an awareness day by the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) in 2005 quickly grew into a week and expanded even further to a month in 2012.
Bryony Gilder is Senior Neurology nurse at Cave Veterinary Specialists and kindly took time out to tell us about life as a vet nurse.
How long have you been a vet nurse and what training did you have to do to achieve your qualifications?
I qualified as a veterinary nurse in November 2011. In order to achieve this, I chose to do a degree in Veterinary Nursing Science at the University of the West of England which I started in September 2006. The degree involved a variety of modules as well as a specific number of weeks on placement in veterinary practice.
What attracted you to a career as a vet nurse?
As a child I always wanted to be a vet, but as you get to know the industry you realise that the veterinary nurse has an amazing role that very few people are aware of. This profession has developed massively since I began nursing and is hugely rewarding.
What are the best things about being a vet nurse?
We are all animal lovers, providing care and comfort to patients who are unwell, and being on the front line in their recovery is an amazing feeling.
Your career can also be whatever you want it to be. The options for career progression are huge, it just depends what you have a passion for.
What kind of attributes do you need to be a good vet nurse?
In order to be a good veterinary nurse you must be compassionate, flexible, passionate and kind. You must also be a team player as you can end up spending more time with them than your family, even sharing days such as Christmas and New Year together!
What advice would you give someone thinking about a career as a vet nurse?
You have to want to do it. Student nurse placements are highly competitive. Get in practice and see what we do so you are prepared for the role. Also, consider taking an ACA/VCA role whilst looking for a student nurse position.
What are the best things about working at Cave Veterinary Specialists?
100% the team! I have made some of my closest friends here. Maybe I am biased but I think we are pretty amazing!
For more information on Vet Nurse Awareness Month, visit http://www.bvna.org.uk/about-us/veterinary-nursing-awareness-month.
