Sarah Holliday is a Registered Veterinary Nurse and BVNA Council Member, and has been qualified for 15 years. Here, Sarah shares her journey of where being an RVN has taken her:

“I qualified as an RVN in 2008. I worked in different primary care vets for 8 years gaining experience in orthopaedics, emergency and critical care, inpatient care and surgical nursing.

“I became a locum RVN where I experienced a variety of different levels of clinical work. I have volunteered with animal charities including a wildlife hospital and wildlife rehabilitation centre. I have been able to work with a variety of species including domestic pets, British wildlife, orphan seals and primates.

“I have been a head RVN, part of the Crufts veterinary team, a clinical coach, nutrition advisor for a leading pet food company and I am now the senior oncology nurse in a leading oncology referral hospital in Surrey.

“I was initially unsure about specialising in a medicine role as I would not have any exposure to surgery or anaesthesia. My daily role includes supporting clients and their beloved pets during their cancer journey. I work alongside the oncologists to provide anti-cancer treatment including diagnostic imaging, immunotherapy, chemotherapy and palliative care. I provide client education and support them during end-of-life care.

“Working in a referral hospital I am able to provide high standard veterinary care and continuously learn about new treatments and techniques. I am able to use my advanced nursing skills every day.

“If I could give my fellow RVNs one piece of advice, it would be to gain experience in a wide variety of settings. I feel that my vast breadth of experience in the veterinary profession has allowed me to become a rounded, confident RVN and helped me decide which area I wanted to specialise in.”

Where has your career journey taken you? Why not get in touch and share your story! Find out more about how you can get involved in #VNAM2023 here.