I was welcomed to the BVNA team in August, having been appointed to the role of Education Development Co-ordinator.

My career in the veterinary sector began at the age of 15, working weekends as a kennel assistant knowing that I always wanted to be a veterinary nurse. I ultimately qualified in 1997 and spent a further six years in practice, before moving into the education sector.

I spent four years working at The College of Animal Welfare as a BSc and NVQ lecturer in veterinary nursing, and gained my Certificate in Education and internal verification qualifications. In 2007,1 joined Oaklands College as an animal management lecturer and taught on a variety of courses from Entry Level to Level 5.

After successfully setting up the Entry Level programme in animal care, I became a co-ordinator for the Level 3 programme and continued to teach across a range of subjects. At the same time – and with the many changes happening in the veterinary nursing profession – I felt it beneficial to complete the BSc VN (top up).

I think the experience I have gained in my previous roles will help me to develop a range of education and developmental tools that will be an asset to the BVNA, where my role involves working closely with Lisa Brett, council members and the education committee to develop and promote BVNA CPD.

My first few months have provided an opportunity to gain a better understanding of education needs and to review the current provision in order to improve and expand benefits to our members. And I envisage exciting times ahead.

The aim of the British Veterinary Nursing Association is to ‘promote animal health and welfare through the ongoing development of professional excellence in veterinary nursing'. Education should support and facilitate professionalism in veterinary nursing and we will be developing a wider variety of CPD topics, along with innovative ideas for delivery. We will listen to, identify and understand the needs and desires of our members to ensure that we are offering maximum benefit for membership.

I am keen to encourage more students to become members of the BVNA in order to benefit from being a part of the association. Student veterinary nurses are the future of our profession and it is my/our vision that our members guide us to become the BVNA that they desire. With the ongoing battle of self regulation and protection of the Veterinary Nurse title, it is important to continue to provide topical and affordable CPD.

The BVNA has always adapted to meet the needs of its members and we will continue to seek ways in which we can add value. I look forward to being a part of the future of the BVNA and to working with – and for – you.

The BVNA team

Author

Debbie Gray

VN BSc(Hons) RVN, Cert Ed MIFL MBVNA

To cite this and other BVNA content use either DOI: 10.1111/j.2045-0648.2012.00250.x or Veterinary Nursing Journal pp 466

 • VOL 27 • December 2012 • Veterinary Nursing Journal