My inspiration for pursuing a career in veterinary nursing began when I was growing up in the countryside, surrounded by pets. Having horses from a young age gave me a strong sense of responsibility for animal care and welfare, while also developing my practical understanding of handling and looking after animals on a daily basis. Alongside this, growing up in a rural environment gave me a keen interest in agriculture and an appreciation for the important role farming plays in animal health and welfare. Being around animals from an early age gave me a real appreciation for their care and wellbeing, and I knew I wanted a career where I could make a difference to their health and welfare.

Can you tell us about your career path so far and the key moments that have shaped it?

My career path began in small animal practice, where I gained a strong foundation in clinical veterinary nursing and developed many of the practical skills that continue to support me today. Working in that environment gave me valuable experience across a wide range of cases and allowed me to learn the importance of teamwork, communication, and delivering high standards of patient care. Moving into mixed practice and focusing exclusively on the farm side has been another significant step in my career, and I’m now part of the BVNA council as well. It has allowed me to combine my nursing skills with my passion for British agriculture, working closely with vets and farmers to support animal health, welfare, and productivity. The variety of farm work and the collaborative approach involved are what continue to shape and motivate my career today.

Congratulations on your Brilliant People Award — what did this recognition mean to you?

Receiving the Brilliant People Award was incredibly meaningful and something I felt very proud of. It was a reminder that hard work, dedication, and genuine passion for what you do are recognised at IVC.

What made it especially significant for me was that it reflected the journey I have taken so far - from growing up in the countryside with a love for animals and agriculture, to building a career where I can make a real difference to animal health and welfare every day. It also reinforced how important the role of veterinary nurses is within practice and on farm, and the positive impact we can have by working closely with vets, farmers, and colleagues.

More than anything, the award has motivated me to keep developing, keep learning, and continue contributing to an industry that I feel genuinely passionate about. It has also encouraged me to believe that if you are committed to what you do and care about doing it well, opportunities and recognition can follow.

What led to your involvement with the IVC Evidensia Clinical Board, and what does that role involve?

My involvement with the Clinical Board at IVC came from wanting to contribute beyond my day-to-day role and have the opportunity to support wider clinical development within the practice. As a farm RVN, I was keen to ensure that the nursing perspective from the farm side was represented, particularly as it can often differ from other areas of practice.

A key part of this opportunity was becoming the first RVN to join the farm animal clinical board, which was a significant milestone for me personally and professionally. It was important because it recognised the value that veterinary nurses can bring to clinical discussions and decision-making, while also helping to raise the profile of the nursing role within the wider practice.

The role involves working collaboratively with colleagues to discuss clinical standards, share ideas, and help support improvements across practice. It gives me the opportunity to bring forward perspectives from farm nursing, contribute to wider conversations around patient care and clinical development, and learn from colleagues across different disciplines.

For me, being involved in IVC Evidensia the clinical board has been a valuable experience because it allows me to contribute to positive change while continuing to develop professionally and represent the role of veterinary nurses within the clinical team.

What does a typical day look like for you as a large animal nurse?

One of the things I enjoy most about being a large animal nurse is the variety each day brings, as no two days are ever the same. A typical day often involves being out on farm carrying out TB testing as an Approved TB tester, which has become a key part of my role and allows me to work closely with farmers while supporting herd health and disease control.

Alongside this, I am regularly out on farm doing jobs such as pregnancy scanning, as well as blood sampling, sample collection, and supporting a range of routine and emergency procedures on farm. Surgical assistance is also an important part of the role, whether that is preparing equipment, assisting during procedures, or making sure everything runs smoothly and efficiently on site. I am also involved in post-operative checks for surgical patients, monitoring recovery, assessing progress, and ensuring any follow-up care is carried out appropriately.

A lot of the role is very practical and hands-on, which is something I really enjoy, particularly working directly within the farming environment and supporting both animal welfare and day-to-day farm operations. The balance of technical nursing skills, working closely with vets, and building relationships with farmers is what makes the role so rewarding.

What are some of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of working with large animals?

One of the most rewarding aspects of working with large animals is the variety the role offers and the opportunity to work closely with both animals and farmers on a daily basis. Building relationships with clients and being able to support them in improving animal health and welfare over time is something I find particularly rewarding, especially when you can see the positive impact of that work within a herd.

Every day brings different situations, which keeps the role interesting and constantly developing. It is especially rewarding when a case goes well and you see a positive outcome, whether that is an animal recovering well after treatment or a situation improving because of the support and care provided.

One of the main challenges is that large animal work can be physically demanding and often unpredictable, particularly when dealing with emergency cases, difficult conditions, or animals that can be large and sometimes challenging to handle safely. It also requires good communication and adaptability, as every farm and situation can be different. However, those challenges are also part of what makes the role so rewarding, as they encourage you to keep learning, problem-solving, and working closely as a team.

Is there a particular case or experience that has stayed with you and reminds you why you chose this profession?

One case that has stayed with me was a calf called Bonnie, who came in severely dehydrated and requiring intensive nursing care. She needed close monitoring and supportive treatment, and because of how unwell she was, she stayed with us over the weekend so we could continue her care and monitor her progress closely.A large part of her recovery involved regular nursing attention, making sure she remained hydrated, monitoring her condition carefully, and adjusting her care as she improved. Cases like that require patience and consistency, as small improvements can make a big difference over time.

What made the case especially memorable was seeing her gradually respond to treatment and become brighter each day, before eventually being well enough to go home after a few days. Seeing that positive outcome, and knowing that the nursing care provided played an important part in her recovery, is exactly what reminds me why I chose this profession. It is those moments, when an animal recovers well and can eturn home, that make the role so rewarding.

Outside of work, how do you like to spend your time and unwind?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time walking in the countryside with friends, which is a great way to unwind and switch off while still making the most of being outdoors.That said, I also seem to spend a lot of my spare time around farms and can quite often be found in a milking parlour as well — so I sometimes joke that I must be mad! But having such a strong interest in agriculture means it is something I genuinely enjoy, even outside of work, and it keeps me closely connected to an industry I am very passionate about.