I started off my career with animals at a young age, working at a local Animal shelter. I then started at the Vets as a weekend girl, progressing to Auxiliary Nurse. I attended Newcastle University, attaining a degree in Zoology, partaking in a research project in Zambia on the plight of the African Lion. I also conducted my dissertation on Infectious diseases in Serengeti Carnivores.
After graduating I started training as a Veterinary Nurse at Cromwell Veterinary Group – a 24/7 small animal hospital. After qualifying I gained experience as a Branch Nurse, working at a smaller surgery as the sole shift nurse. I progressed from RVN to Ward Supervisor. I then went on to become Deputy Head Nurse and then Head Nurse.
I have worked in Veterinary Practice for over 14 years. Over 7 years as a qualified Veterinary Nurse and 3 years in a managerial position. The practice was a busy first opinion that provided out of hours cover for the region, resulting in a high clinical and surgical case load, 24 hours a day. As a result I gained a vast wealth of experience with emergency and critical care veterinary medicine.
Since leaving the UK, I have worked as a Locum in small animal general practice – of varying practice sizes and case load. I have also worked in referral centres – nursing in ICU, medicine and emergency units.