Free event on flexible working for nurses

We have organised a free VN Futures-themed evening event on 3 May 2018 to highlight the practicalities and benefits for veterinary nurses of flexible working in practice.

VN Futures, a joint project between us and the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA), was formed at the beginning of the 2016 to help the veterinary nursing profession prepare for and plan its future, in parallel with the broader Vet Futures project. The project highlighted the need to create a more rewarding, sustainable workforce for veterinary nurses, with flexible job shares presented as one of the ways to increase retention.

The event, to be held at Dovecote Veterinary Hospital in Castle Donington in Leicestershire, is open to anyone in the veterinary team who is considering, or already has, a flexible approach to working arrangements. It includes a supper starting at 18:15, with the event itself kicking off at 19:00 with a series of talks:

• ‘Flexible working from a general employer perspective’, led by Belinda Andrew-Jones RVN, Director of Nursing at CVS. 
• ‘The practicalities and benefits of job sharing’, led by Langford Vets’ Rebecca Jones RVN, Head Surgery Nurse, and Emma Opperman RVN, Assistant Nursing Manager. 
• ‘Managing your own time and being flexible as a locum’, led by Callum Ladell RVN, a locum with a keen interest in law, ethics and animal welfare. 

Following the talks there will be a panel discussion involving the speakers and members of the VN Futures Action Group and the opportunity to ask questions.

Julie Dugmore, RCVS Director of Veterinary Nursing, commented: “A flexible approach to work schedules provides massive benefits to the practice as well as to the veterinary nurse. Veterinary nursing retention is an ongoing struggle in the profession, and being open to more non-traditional working patterns that can better work around family and other non-work commitments will hopefully mean fewer people leaving the profession and can help employers create a confident, cohesive veterinary nursing team.”

To book your space please visit the VN Futures event page. For further information, please contact Claire O’Leary, RCVS Education Officer, at [email protected] or call 020 7202 0712.

The VN Futures Report and Action Plan, which contains a full list of the recommendations and actions that grew out of the project, can be downloaded from the VN Futures website.