Meet your new VN Council members

Although there will be no election of candidates to VN Council this year, as only two candidates came forward for the two available elected places, we wanted to make sure that members of the profession knew more about who will be joining VN Council at this year's Royal College Day in July.

The two candidates who put themselves forward were Liz Cox, current Vice-Chair of VN Council and former Chair of the Council from 2015 to 2018, and Jane Davidson, a freelance writer, educator and vet nurse. Please find below their candidate biographies and statements.

Elizabeth (Liz) Cox RVN

Candidate biography

I have worked in various practices from single handed, hospital and University, for both corporate and independent companies as a locum nurse and employed. Coaching, mentoring, standards and an immense passion for the Veterinary Nursing profession has always led my career.

Recently, I became the Group Nursing Advisor for Independent Vetcare. My role being to advise on, support, champion and develop veterinary nursing.

In addition to being in practice I have also been an elected member of VNC since 2011 and Chair 2015-2018. I’ve been actively involved in areas of the college, from Practice standards to Operational Board and now as one of the first RVNs to sit formally on RCVS council. I aim to ensure that the word and role of the RVN, is included within the colleges work. However I am most proud of Chairing the Schedule 3 review, and VN Futures report. Looking to what nurses do now, and for the future as an essential part of the veterinary team.  I have presented at numerous conferences, events and organisations

I am a member of BVNA and volunteer for Street Vet. Home life is with family and the obligatory rescue pets that come with being a veterinary nurse.  

Candidate manifesto statement

I am an active RVN, I am very proud to be. I know the world of Veterinary Nursing well, I have been in the role for many years! I have the pleasure of meeting, and listening to RVNs thoughts and ambitions, I’m in a practice every day.

I have worked on numerous projects, notably Schedule 3 and VN Futures. The future of Veterinary Nursing is set for change.  I want to ensure that Nurses remain a key part of the Veterinary team. I want our skills to be better recognised and that we have an enhanced role. With telehealth, wearables and unimaginable developments ahead of us, the role of all RVNs won’t be the same as today.

We are now professionals in our own right, and are encouraged to develop nursing as a profession and advance how we nurse our patients. The TLC that has immeasurable benefits won’t go, but how we work will. We are already well trained but not able to use all of skills under current regulation. This may change with a potential amendment to VSA or Schedule 3. Regulation changes take a long time and whilst work is ongoing, I want to continue being part of that to ensure it’s what nurses and practices want.

No matter for who, or where a nurse works, we need to ensure that all roles are considered, supported and championed. Some nurses move into industry, academia, and referral or undertake further studies and some choose to stay working in their original training practice. Sadly, we still have practices that do not employ an RVN, this needs to be addressed.

Considering the future and new advanced qualifications ahead, I want to ensure RVNs are first choice for practice and patients. 

Jane Davidson RVN

Candidate biography

After an MA in History and a career in the wine trade I qualified with my NVQ in 2005. Since then I have worked in small animal first opinion hospitals in charity and private clinics as well as in education.

I have taught on Diploma and BSc courses in several colleges, covering theory and clinical skills. I am an external examiner for a VN BSc and currently work as a freelance writer, educator and vet nurse. I enjoy writing about and for vet nurses and have created an online learning community under the award winning #PlanetRVN.

Post-qualification I gained my Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical and Professional Veterinary Nursing at the RVC. I have the Diploma to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS) and have a PgCert in Clinical Education which gained me Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. I’m always excited to improve my skills and the majority of my CPD has been self-funded.

I am a co-founder of the successful Learning without Landfill campaign to reduce waste in the veterinary field. I am proud to be part of the VN Futures career progression group and am part of the RCVS outcome based CPD pilot.

Candidate manifesto statement

I believe I have the skills and passion to work positively with our regulator and bring a fresh view from my experience in clinic, education and as a successful user of social media.

Current issues

1. Number of spaces for VN training
2. Retention of vet nurses in the industry
3. Support for RVNs to work confidently within current regulations
4. Improve professional decision making for the veterinary team

There are small increases annually in TP numbers but we need to consider more ways to increase the number of clinical training spaces for SVNs. Retention of RVNs can be improved as part of supporting the entire team with issues around delegation and the SIII framework.

Emerging issues

Social media has changed the way we communicate with the public and each other but we must do so within the law and the current Code of Conduct. I would like to use some of my time on VN Council to address the issues of:

• Personal branding of vets and veterinary nurses
• Promoting best practice and complying with the Code of Conduct online

Brexit

A potential lack of veterinary surgeons post Brexit may require the veterinary team to consider different ways of working to ensure patient care standards are maintained. We need to have a workforce confident in their own roles and abilities to enable them to support change. Having researched and written on this topic I believe I can help.

What can I offer?

• Patient welfare centred approach
• A passion to listen to and work for the vet nursing community
• Good communication skills
• Committee skills from VN Futures/education roles
• Understanding of education and clinical issues
• Experience in setting up and running successful campaigns – Learning Without Landfill and #PlanetRVN