Steph Worsley is a Registered Veterinary Nurse and BVNA Council Member, and has been qualified since 2003. This week’s VNAM theme is ‘My road map as an RVN’ – here, Steph shares her some of her experiences as an RVN, including advice for those thinking of diversifying into other areas of veterinary nursing:

“I came into veterinary nursing due to taking a diploma in animal science instead of A levels. I was completing the course at a local college, and I had attended open days at Myerscough college where I learnt about the SVN course. I also met the head nurse of our local PDSA hospital, I contacted her afterwards and spent 2 years during my diploma volunteering there which cemented my knowledge that I wanted to be a veterinary nurse. I was lucky enough that my first job role was at a practice just around the corner to the PDSA so I could always nip round for some moral support.

“When I started out as a young SVN 24 years ago, I had no idea where my qualification would lead me. I thought I would carry on nursing; I had no aspirations to go on and do anything out of the box.

“As time went on, I moved practices several times and I observed other RVNs going on to do different jobs, including becoming reps for various companies, so I started thinking bigger. I opted to do some locum work, which led to my first head nurse role in a small independent practice. I really enjoyed my time here and we were a close-knit team. During this time, I got to take one of our patients to a local referral practice for an MRI, the practice staff were very kind and let me see behind the scenes. Here, I realised that there were even more opportunities to be had.

“I signed up to a locum agency again and the first placement was at the local university teaching hospital. To say I was nervous was an understatement – there I was, a 3-year qualified nurse stepping into the world where the vets were made! I soon settled in though, and it was there I found my passion for internal medicine. A position of internal medicine nurse was created, so I applied like everyone else. I was so nervous during the interview I spilt my water everywhere, but I got the phone call several hours later saying I had got the position.

“I spent 10 fantastic years as the internal medicine nurse – I learnt so much from some of the top specialists, I helped teach the vet students, and I also did some lecturing to nurses around the country. I was even invited to speak in Norway which was a great honour. Whilst at the university, I also became, what was known back then, a regional co-ordinator for the BVNA (now known as regional representatives). This meant I got to meet a lot more veterinary nurses and excellent speakers, some of those I call my friends to this day.

“Since then, I have moved on again and I am back being a head nurse at a small but busy practice. I think I craved more client contact than I got working in the hospital and so I really love being back and speaking to clients on a regular basis.

“My journey has had a few forks and if I was asked would I go back and change anything in it, my answer would be no – I firmly believe that every step and every fork has led me to be where I am today and for that fact, I am grateful. I definitely wouldn’t be living where I am and I most definitely wouldn’t be on BVNA Council. I firmly believe that each step has brought me the extra knowledge and confidence to be a better RVN.

“If you are thinking about diversifying, my advice would be – go for it – never think you don’t know enough – knowledge comes with experience”.

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.