British Veterinary Nursing Association

My name is Helen Field and I am the newest member of the BVNA council, having joined in October 2007.

I have been a qualified VN for 8 years and have worked in small animal and mixed practice; in branches and hospitals during my career, so I have a good knowledge of how things work on the shop floor. For the last 5 years I have been an Internal Verifier and Lecturer and my current job is Lead IV for The Wanstead Veterinary Hospital VNAC London, which is part of the Goddard Veterinary Group. My role with the company also includes staff training (for receptionists, ANA students, SVNs and VNs) and I teach on the ANA course. I also work as an emergency/night nurse at a large small animal hospital on a part-time basis in order to keep my hand in; and am an RCVS Examiner for the level 3 practical exams.

Since I started work in veterinary practice, there have been huge changes in the way that we train VNs in the UK coupled with an increase in recognition for the role of the veterinary nurse in practice.

I feel strongly that UK Veterinary Nurses are some of the best trained in the world and we should be proud of our profession. I also think that it is important that we maintain training standards (although I am keen to minimise the paperwork required by the NVQ system!) and continue to provide a high standard of CPD for VNs and support staff.

I am really excited to be joining the BVNA Council during such a dynamic time in the history of Veterinary Nursing and am looking forward to promoting Veterinary Nursing in my time on the Council.