Nottingham University teams up with The Association of Veterinary Students (AVS) to support vet trainee welfare in the UK

Working alongside a wide range of charities, veterinary organisations and School staff, the Nottingham AVS Welfare Day held on Wednesday 24 October, has been organised to raise awareness of the huge support network in place throughout the five year course.

Junior AVS Rep for Nottingham, William Bayton, explained: “Veterinary medicine can be a very stressful profession. The long-hours, busy schedule and difficult decisions can all build up to really impact the individual, which is why stress and depression is so common among vets.

“The same can be said for vet students; sometimes it feels like your whole life is a combination of exams and lectures, which is why it is crucial that the students here are aware of the huge support network in place to get them through any issues.

Student Support Officer Jane Ackling commented: “The veterinary course itself also includes modules designed to prepare students for life after graduation, from financial management to striking a work-life balance, while students also have access to workshops on managing stress, anxiety and perfectionism.

For more information on last year’s Welfare Day visit AVS.

Autumn launch for first veterinary nursing Masters course

The UK’s first clinical Masters course in veterinary nursing will be launched this autumn at Harper Adams University College – and prospective students are invited to apply now.

The Masters course has been designed for veterinary nurses in full or part-time work, whether in teaching or in practice. It will be delivered via a blend of day visits to Harper Adams – with seminars, guest speakers and practical workshops where relevant – and supported distance learning.

Dr Martin, course manager, adds: “The clinical element of the course is designed to deliver enhanced Veterinary Nursing skills, such as rehabilitation nursing, oncology, pain management, client support, behaviour problem management, which would be an asset to any companion animal veterinary practice.”

For more information visit Harper Adams

Advice and career management from Dr. John Sheridan

The Veterinary Business Briefing section of the site has been updated to include the two most recent articles: Becoming a Practice Leader and the Importance of First Impressions.

Veterinary Business Briefing is aimed at graduates or students who want to plan ahead, and is designed to provide tips once you start in practice.

We received a promotional copy of With the SAS and Other Animals which Glen Cousquer BSc (Hons), BVM&S, CertZooMed, MRCVS kindly reviewed for us

“With the SAS and other animals” provides a fascinating account of a young, Royal Army Veterinary Corps officer’s, six-month tour of duty in the Sultanate of Oman. The significance of this, somewhat unusual, attachment emerges through the author’s biographical account of his contribution to the Dhofar War. The account is colourful, vivid and entertaining, bringing to life the many challenges of this fine example of a “Hearts and Minds” operation.

Andrew Higgin’s account of his experiences as the last of the British Army Training Team’s vets in Dhofar is fascinating on a number of levels. Firstly, it will be of interest to veterinary professionals who have worked and travelled in the developing world. It will be particularly inspiring to young vets in their first year or two of practice, who are wondering where their new qualification, skills and training can take them.

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Under this title we had a poll running in Vetstart for about one month. The outcome might not be surprising to many, but tells a lot about how “un-professional” veterinary students and veterinarians look at their job and their profession. We are typically passionate about our objective to manage animal health and well-being and support... more »