Carly Kilby is a Registered Veterinary Nurse and BVNA Regional Representative, and has been qualified for 18 years. This week’s VNAM theme is ‘My road map as an RVN’. Here, Carly shares her some of her experiences as an RVN, including volunteering both working abroad and in the UK.

“It didn’t take long after qualifying before I had the travel bug. About 2 years into my career, I decided to go travelling with a friend, a veterinary nurse I was working with at the time. I wanted to use my qualification abroad, where it really mattered, and where my skills and knowledge would be most beneficial. We went to Thailand and then onto India.

“I spent 4 months on Koh Pha-Ngan in a rescue centre, neutering the stray dogs and cats, helping wildlife and treating the pets of the island dwellers. It was great. Not only did I get to use some incredibly old and dangerous anaesthesia techniques, I managed to educate some of the staff there in more efficient ways to use their kit and medicines. I partied with the locals by night, and treated demodectic mange and monkey bites in the day.

“India was the same, we discussed suitable treatments for the stray dogs and cats brought into the rescue centre, as well as neutering and basic nursing of those involved in traffic accidents. As well as seeing the sights, eating the amazing local food and experiencing Diwali.

“The past 10 years has been a busy time. I have achieved certificates in anaesthesia, feline friendly nursing and surgical nursing. I have branched out into writing and have had articles published in veterinary magazines and I’m currently undergoing training to be an examiner for OSCEs. I feel like I’ve come full circle.

“My career has allowed me to see and do so many things, I now feel like I know enough to give back to the industry and help others achieve. Joining the BVNA and volunteering my time as a regional representative allows me to contact my surrounding practices and ensure our veterinary nurses are exposed to great CPD and progressing in their careers. It has helped me make great connections within the industry and I’m very fortunate to have made many friends.

“You should never regret something you do as it will always be a learning experience. You will, however, always regret something you didn’t do. So just do it.”

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