Carly Kilby is a Registered Veterinary Nurse and BVNA Regional Representative, and has been qualified for 18 years. This week’s VNAM theme is raising client and public awareness of the VN role. Here, Carly shares her thoughts on how SVNs and RVNs should feel empowered to spread awareness of their role amongst clients.

“Raising awareness of your role within a team must come from you. If you don’t speak up and discuss your role with clients, then they won’t know what you do. Be proud.

“Hello Mrs Smith, my name is Carly, I’m a Registered Veterinary Nurse, and I will be looking after Alfie today. I will be present during his surgery, organising theatre and monitoring his anaesthetic. I will ensure he is comfortable during his recovery, feed him some breakfast once he is able to, and I will see you later and go through his discharge plan.”

This is what the client will remember as you will gain their confidence and provide reassurance that ‘Alfie’ is in safe hands with a professional. Allowing pet carers to know your name provides accountability. Don’t hide behind your uniform, be proud of your uniform and your post nominals.

An introduction to you as a person and your role in ‘Alfie’s’ day will emphasise you as a veterinary nurse and make clients aware of the effort you put in as an individual for their pet. It also allows clients to talk about you to their friends and in-turn, will promote the role of the veterinary nurse more widely.”

Interested in learning more about raising the profile of veterinary nursing? Join us for our second LIVE event of #VNAM2023 on Tuesday 16th May at 7.30pm, and this time we’ll be getting right to the heart of what VNAM means to the profession – raising awareness of the veterinary nursing role amongst the public. Register for this webinar here.

We’ll discuss how veterinary nurses can promote better understanding of #WhatVNsDo amongst clients within their own practice. We’ll also reflect on some of the findings from the recent ‘Protect the Title’ surveys, where BVNA surveyed the public to gain an insight into their understanding about the VN role.

Find out more about how you can get involved in #VNAM2023 here.