During May 2024, the veterinary profession celebrated 20 years of raising awareness of veterinary nursing, via BVNA’s annual Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month (VNAM) campaign. The theme was ‘progression’, highlighting the profession’s diverse range of skills, abilities and career pathways.

This year, we invited individuals, nursing teams, whole practice/workplace teams, and those working with any species and in any role within the veterinary profession, whether in or out of clinical practice, to enter our VNAM competition, with the overall brief of “Your #VNAM2024, Your Way”.

We were delighted that so many individuals and practice teams came together to produce some fantastic resources which highlight the vital role of veterinary nurses, and also why protection of the ‘veterinary nurse’ title is so crucial. You can view all of the competition entries below.

The list of winners and runners-up are:

  • Winner – The Donkey Sanctuary
  • Winner – Thrums Vets
  • Runner-Up – Island VetCare, Isle of Wight
  • Runner-Up – Delaware Vets

BVNA President, Lyndsay Hughes, said:

“When we set this year’s theme for VNAM, we were unsure how this would be received and whether the concept would be appreciated. I can safely say that we have been absolutely blown away and overwhelmed by the amount of interaction we have had with VNAM this year.

Our competition entries have been absolutely outstanding, and it has been wonderful to see how the theme has been interpreted. The variety of entries we have had, and the quality of these, has made it really very difficult to judge this year’s competition and has made the team exceptionally proud to know we work alongside such excellent nursing teams.

Thank you to everyone who entered for taking the time to be an integral part in sharing this year’s VNAM theme and continuing to help us raise awareness about the significant impact veterinary nurses have and the fundamental role you play in ensuring animal welfare is maintained.”

AllPets Vets

AllPets Vets shared a video showing a brief sneak peek into a day in the life of a veterinary nurse.

AlphaPet Veterinary Clinic

AlphaPet Veterinary Clinic created a reel and used their social media channels to champion their nurses throughout the month.

Bridge Vets

Bridge Vets created a practice notice board display, which was popular with their staff, clients and children, educating the public on what veterinary nurses do.

Bridges Veterinary Surgery

Bridges Veterinary Surgery used social media and an information board to highlight their nursing staff, how they have progressed in their careers and the vital work they do.

Delaware Vets

Delaware Vets created a waiting room display and used their social media channels to highlight what veterinary nurses do and why the title needs to be protected.

Eastwood Vets4Pets

Eastwood Vets4Pets created a notice board and leaflet which where were displayed in their reception waiting area.

Grace Lane Vets

Grace Lane Vets ran a social media campaign to highlight the skilled work veterinary nurses do every day, including their ACAs and VCAs as they are an integral part of the team.

They also had celebratory tea party to thank all of their nursing team for their continued hard work and dedication, complete with BVNA/VNAM cake toppers and well-being gift bags.

Hall Place Vets

Jessie Kent, an SVN from Hall Place Vets created a poster series for their social media pages to educate others regarding pathways to enter veterinary nursing, and detailing why we need to protect the title VN.

Island VetCare, Isle of Wight

Island VetCare shared a video on this year’s theme of “Progression” and how the veterinary industry has grown/adapted over the years.

Rufford Veterinary Group

Rufford Veterinary Group shared a TikTok video about what a veterinary nurse can do and why the title should be protected.

Swift Referrals

Swift Referrals completed a sponsored dog walk, raising funds for Vetlife. They went out wearing their VNAM stickers and RVN badge stickers, and spoke to members of the public about the roles of veterinary nurses.

The Donkey Sanctuary

The Donkey Sanctuary held an open day as part of their Donkey sanctuary’s ‘Donkey Week’ celebration.

They invited the public in to the hospital for a tour with various talks, including one lead by their veterinary nursing team, highlighting what nurses do as a whole.

Throughout May, they also invited students from several local nursing colleges aiming to inspire them and show how their team has progressed from small animal into equine nursing.

The Veterinary Health Centre Ltd

The Veterinary Health Centre Ltd ran a social media campaign called ‘We are owners too,’ in order to let people know that veterinary nurses have to medicate, train, and work hard to look after their own pets too, just like the public do.

Thrums Vets

For VNAM 2024, Thrums Vets ran a two day course for school age (15-17yr) children who are interested in a career in veterinary nursing,

They put together an intensive programme which included learning how to bandage, do a clinical exam, set up for radiography, suturing (bananas), and gloving.

Their marketing team also organised for STV news to film them to highlight the profession.

VetNursesHive

Neyda Sousa RVN who runs VetNursesHive on Instagram and Facebook, invited RVNs, SVNs and VCAs to participate on her page by sharing their videos and posts.

(Video by Chlöe McCaffray)

Vets4Pets Blackwood

Vets4Pets Blackwood shared some pictures via social media of their nursing team going about their normal activities.

Westport Vets

Westport Vets used their video to educate owners (via social media) on what exactly their nursing team do on a day to day basis.

Whitworth Vets

Whitworth Vets ran a social media campaign on Facebook and Instagram, providing an insight into some of the roles and responsibilities of RVNs and SVNs.