Marloes Baltus is a Registered Veterinary Nurse and BVNA Regional Representative for Cumbria and Lancashire. She qualified in July 2014 in the Netherlands, before entering the Register in November 2014.

Here is Marloes’ entry into our Pocket Guide for Day 1 as an RVN:

“First of all, you need to remind yourself, you have been doing this for the last two to three years. You have the skills, you completed your NPL/CSL/E-portfolio. You have proven you are competent. Have confidence in yourself. Your training wheels are off, but you have been doing this on your own steam for probably at least six months.

“Secondly, just because the training wheels are off, doesn’t mean you are on your own. Whether you have joined a new team or have stayed with your training practice. You are part of a team; you guys support and help each other. Even in a practice where you are sole charge, the support staff and vets are still there to help you too.

“Thirdly, it is ok not to know everything. It is ok to fail at tasks that you have done a million times in your training. Everyone has bad days. I cannot count the number of times where I have had a bad vein day or have to look up how to run the blood machine, or a simple fluid calculation. Confidence is good, overconfidence is not good for anyone.

“And lastly, enjoy the day, enjoy your accomplishment! You have achieved your SVN goal, you qualified! Enjoy being able to identify as a registered veterinary nurse now. I recently had a conversation with one of the SVNs in my practice who said how excited she is and how much she is looking forward to being able to tell clients that she is now a fully qualified, registered veterinary nurse.

“Once you are qualified you get to develop your personality as an RVN, find your passion and your drive. Find where you want to specialise, whether that is in a specific direction or as a passionate first opinion all-rounder! Find your feet, enjoy the day, and enjoy the achievement.”

Want to share your advice for our “Pocket Guide for Day 1 as an RVN”? Find out more about how you can get involved in #VNAM2023 here.