Joshua Sancho is a second-year Veterinary Nursing student who works in the charity sector, with companion animals. At the Blue Cross animal hospital, he and the incredible team he works with treat a range of species from cats, dogs, rabbits and everything in between each week. He has a keen interest in nursing clinics, where he supports and educates clients on best practice for animal husbandry, welfare and care. As well as this, he has a penchant for all things related to rabbits, and draws from his own experiences with his two mischievous bunnies, Melody and Rhythm to shed light on owning and caring for rabbits. He hopes, after his training, to one day delve more into exotic and wildlife nursing.

In this blog, Joshua reflects on his journey as an SVN so far, to provide his top five tips for thriving during your VN training.

It’s safe to say that studying veterinary nursing is no easy feat, and for many of us, whether we have completed our training, are midway through it and or just starting out, can appreciate that there is a lot involved in order for us to be successful. I’m on my last leg of my training with just under a year left before I finish, and it has truly been a roller coaster of activities and emotions.

Here are just a few tips that I have adopted along the way that have enabled me to get to where I am today, and I hope will continue to see me through:

Tip 1) Learn how to switch off! It’s a lot… Whether you have gone down the degree route or diploma route, you are tasked with having to manage quite a bit; from lectures, revision, completing your Nurse Progress Log, portfolio, using smart assessor, carrying out practicals and assignments, training at your veterinary practice, the list goes on. It can at times feel insurmountable. Having designated days where you don’t think about work or revision is key. It not only helps to give your brain and body a rest, I’ve found it helps me to be more effective in what I do when I come back to it. I am less run down, and tired, and when the time comes, I can think more sharply and be present with what I am doing at the time.

Tip 2) Routine with revision – Developing a realistic routine is important, as well as understanding yourself and your learning style. This will make your times of revision and study effective, as you will get a lot out of it. If you are an early bird, make use of those quiet mornings, or if you are a night owl, ensure you give yourself dedicated time to work solidly, without distractions. If you are anything like me and you find yourself getting side-tracked at home, change the environment where you revise. Whether you use pictograms, cue cards, multiple choice questions, mind mapping or whatever you find helpful to revise, use the technique that works for you (or explore a variety). As well as that, be creative! It may sound silly, but the more exciting you make your revision sessions and revision notes, the easier it is for you to retain that information.

Tip 3) Study buddy/ buddies/ group learning – This has been a real life saver for me, having a friend/s (or a study group) who I can revise with or bounce ideas off has helped give me confidence when studying. Working with likeminded people is important, especially when you feel you are having a dip or lull which happens to the best of us. Having accountability to someone or a group can help push you back into gear and even combat procrastination. You may find that you have a keen interest in a particular topic or area, sharing those tips and tricks with each other can help with creativity but also help refine your understanding of material too. You then find that you can inspire each other and this strengthens your resolve and reminds you why you are passionate about what you are doing.

Tip 4) Don’t ignore things that seem difficult– We have all been there, there is a topic that we do not like and sometimes we shy away from learning it. Or there is a particular skill that we need to know and because of previous mistakes, or having a lack of confidence we ignore it. In this career we are encouraged to be well rounded Veterinary nurses, and sometimes that comes with areas we are not always comfortable with. My take home with this is…. throw yourself at those areas. Of course, it is easier said than done, if you have had a difficult experience with it previously. However, the aim is to grow and get better. If you have team members who are skilled in those areas ask them/shadow them, research that area, utilise seminars and talks and articles and even watch videos to gain a really strong theoretical handle on that difficult topic. Once you have done that, practice and then practice some more to solidify that which you have learnt.

Tip 5) Endurance (It will get better)- This for me is the most important, as it’s a tip I remind myself of daily. I am committed to this career because I love animals and want to do my very best to help and support them with the skills I am learning (which is the same for us all). I know that sometimes I feel that I should be further ahead, or that I should be more knowledgeable, but I remind myself that everyone grows at different rates, and we all manage in a variety of ways. Never compare yourself to how someone else may be doing or if they seem further ahead than you. This race is not one of speed but of endurance and being confident in your own skills which are growing steadily. Be proud of how far you have come, and continue to keep the main reason at the forefront of your mind, as to why you have begun this journey. This is to be the best possible version of yourself, in your career as a veterinary nurse!

Thank you, Joshua, for sharing your experiences. Joshua also recently contributed to BVNA’s recent Diversity, Inclusion and Widening Participation (DIWP) role models campaign – you can watch his video sharing his experience as a SVN here:

Inspired by Joshua’s story? Why not share your own? You can learn more about how you can get involved in this year’s VNAM here; www.bvna.org.uk/project/vnam-2023