VN Awareness Month interviews: Jill Macdonald RVN

For VN Awareness Month in May 2023, we are profiling RCVS staff members who are registered veterinary nurses, to talk to them about their careers in vet nursing, the experience they bring to their role at the RCVS, and why it's so important to celebrate the vet nurse role. This interview is with Jill Macdonald who manages the joint RCVS and BVNA VN Futures project. 

1. Tell us about your career as a veterinary nurse prior to joining the RCVS?

I began my career in veterinary nursing back in 1996 when I joined a small animal primary care practice in Blackburn, Lancashire, qualifying in 1999. I became Head Nurse, overseeing nursing and training standards at the practice and input to practice development. It was (and still is) an amazing, progressive practice, which embraces utilisation of nurses to their full potential – which is what embedded this ethos into everything I do and has helped shape my future career.

In 2008 I achieved a role at the University of Liverpool Vet School, setting up and delivering the first online modules for the CertAVP. I also taught and helped with the teaching development of communication and professional skills for veterinary undergraduates. I obtained an introductory teaching certificate with distinction and became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Going from a clinical to a teaching role was a huge change, and I always miss the clinical side, the interaction with your team, clients and animals – but I loved my time at Liverpool, and wouldn’t change that decision.

I then went on to set up my own online CPD company, ONCORE ePD, delivering innovative CPD, primarily tailored to veterinary nurses.

I have also written many clinical and non-clinical articles, delivered presentations and teaching sessions at events and conferences, and have written chapters for the BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing, and Professionalism and Reflection in Veterinary Nursing.

2. What is your current role at the RCVS?

My current role is the VN Futures Project Lead. The VN Futures Project is such an exciting area of work, aiming to address challenges and explore opportunities in the VN profession. The project encompasses many areas of focus, including development of the framework for the CertAVN, creation of the VN School Ambassadors Scheme and production of our new course that supports newly registered nurses as they enter the profession. We work with BVNA as partners in the project, and interface with many other activities at the College and beyond.

3. How does your veterinary nursing career impact how you approach your job on a day-to-day basis?

The experiences I have been lucky enough to have during my previous work have had an enormous impact on how I can input to the profession today. Some of the approaches we had to nurse utilisation at my first practice, over 20 years ago, are still areas we are pushing for today – and this gives me conviction to know it can be done, it works, and it makes being a veterinary nurse, and the input you have to patient care and client support, so much more fulfilling. This gives me a great sense of determination to strive for progression in veterinary nursing.

My teaching, organisational and business skills have been a huge help in my current role. Every day is different, and I work in many different areas, so it’s important to keep my eye on the target whilst dealing with all the little things that come up every day.

4. Why do you think it is so important to recognise and celebrate the VN profession?

Veterinary nurses are such an important cog in the machine that is veterinary practice and the veterinary profession. We are advocates – we look out for our colleagues, our patients and our clients. We are that expert friend to our clients, to provide support, advice and guidance through what are sometimes really difficult times. Veterinary nurses have such a huge and diverse skillset – from an essential friendly ear to complex technical tasks. Veterinary care would not be what it is without our wonderful veterinary nurses, and I am proud of each and every one of them.