To celebrate Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month, Debbie Gray BSc(Hons), CertEd, RVN, shares her career journey, from kennel assistant to associate director at J.A.K Marketing, and the importance of championing the VN role for positive change in the profession.

“I have always been an animal lover, even as young as five years old I would beg my parents to take me to the local pet shop to see the puppies (yes, I am that old to remember those days), and today there is something deeply ingrained in me that still has a huge passion and desire to be around animals, and work in the veterinary profession.

“My first role in the industry was as a Saturday and Sunday job at Mandeville Veterinary Hospital as a “kennel assistant”. At the age of 14 I couldn’t get enough, and I took every opportunity I could to learn from the vets and nurses I worked with. I worked summer holidays, bank holidays, Christmas holidays and everything in between, determined to progress with a career as a veterinary surgeon. However, it was within the first six months I realised veterinary nursing was my calling. There is nothing as rewarding and as heart-warming as the bond you build with patients, from nursing them back to health, followed by the joy and gratitude of their owners (of course there are the ungrateful patients that want to eat you, but hey, we all love a challenge).

“As I came towards my GCSEs, I was pushed by the school to apply to university, but veterinary nursing degree programmes didn’t exist back then, so I found myself attending university interviews for chemistry degrees and actively thinking “why am I here?”, this is not what I want to do.

“I was lucky to already be working at the practice and had more than proven myself for employment as a trainee nurse so began my veterinary nurse training straight away at Berkshire College of Agriculture. I am so fortunate and grateful to have begun my career under the watchful eye of RVN Jean Turner and Trevor Turner (MRCVS), who I truly believe played a key role in so much of my learning and establishing my career in the veterinary industry. They were both lifelong advocates of the veterinary nursing profession and played a huge role in progressing veterinary nursing, to drive its growth, recognition and development.

“I gained my RVN status in 1997 and continued to nurse for several years (with a year at PetPlan as claims assessor in between, an interesting job, but I realised a desk job wasn’t for me). As a head nurse, I gained my assessor qualifications and found another passion for teaching and supporting students in practice, and it was this that led to my next career move in teaching.

“I spent over 10 years lecturing, the first six at the College of Animal Welfare teaching veterinary nursing diploma and degree students, where I gained my internal verification and teaching qualifications. I then moved into the world of further education, teaching animal welfare and management, and diversifying my skill set and knowledge outside of companion animals to teaching a multitude of levels and content, while also personally completing the veterinary nursing top-up degree.

“In 2012, I began a new role as education development coordinator at the BVNA, which involved the development of an online learning platform, accredited CPD courses and working with the key stakeholders to achieve the organisational representative goals, and I represented the association on different external education initiatives.

“In 2017, I had a change of direction with the opportunity to work in industry for J.A.K Marketing (well known for sending Freddos in orders) in a technical position. I worked with the team to develop the product portfolio and source relevant suppliers, which also led to involvement with sales and marketing where I progressed to marketing manager.

“During this time, I completed a leadership and operational level 5 ILM course, and have since moved into the position of associate director for sales and marketing, and I am midway through completing a Masters in Business Administration.

“I voluntarily sit on the Animal Training and Behaviour Council educational committee and as an external member on the RVC course management committee.

“I have loved every single minute of my career and would not make any different choices if I had my time again. I have witnessed, and continue to witness significant changes in the profession and wider industry. Some more challenging than others, we still have big issues with retention in the industry, and the recognition of nurse’s knowledge and capabilities both in the industry, and publicly.

“As veterinary nurses we need to keep fighting for, and must get on board with, and engage with the relevant representative bodies to drive change. We are responsible for our own destiny and in collaboration we can achieve great things.

“We are veterinary nurses, we are the voices of animals, we can help improve their welfare, and we still have so much to do to educate and improve a whole range of animal welfare issues, as well as battling for ourselves. The opportunities to get involved with all aspects of animal welfare and the profession, and progress career-wise are diverse. Never underestimate the difference you can make from a background in veterinary nursing and the transferable skills you have, and never stop learning.”

#EmpowerOurVNs #WhatVNsDo

Debbie Gray BSc(Hons), CertEd, RVN

On behalf of VN Times