Lauren Whittaker

FdSc Equine Veterinary Nurse, Level 3 Diploma Equine Management RVN

Candidate 3 of 3

Proposers: Muriel Eileen Pym,  Matthew James Legg

Contact details

E [email protected]

Candidate biography

I am the deputy head nurse at Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic. I qualified in 2013 after completing a foundation degree in Equine Veterinary Nursing.

I was then lucky enough to get a job at one of the largest equine hospitals in the south east where I have taken on various roles over the years including clinical coach and head nurse.

I have always loved animals, especially horses. I now have two small children and in my spare time we enjoy spending time as a family and we have various pets including a 3 legged dog called Sandy.

Candidate statement 

Why do you want to stand to be a member of VN Council? 

I am standing for the Vet Nurse Council because I am passionate about all the hard work my colleagues put in when caring for the health and wellbeing of our patients and clients.

The work vet nurses put into their careers from the very start is extraordinary and I would be very proud to be part of the Vet Nurse Council helping to shape pathways and careers for vet nurses across the country. As well as advocating for equine nurses in the profession alongside our small animal colleagues.

What do you think you can bring to VN Council? 

I believe I can bring a positive and engaging attitude to the vet nurse council, I am a practical and approachable person with a willingness to learn. Being an equine vet nurse I believe I can bring a different perspective and theoretical knowledge.

As much as I can bring to the council I am excited to engage in new skills and challenges as part of the role if elected and use this to help progress the whole profession and be part of the decision making processes.

What relevant experience do you have? 

Throughout my career I have experienced many changes within the veterinary nurse profession which has taught me to adapt and change for the future. As well as under taking many different roles in practice, as part of my current role I collaborate with wider businesses and private practices striving to improve and develop the veterinary nursing profession. I can also bring a wealth of equine nursing experience as well as excellent management skills that I have worked on over the years.

Candidate answer to question from the profession 

Question: Do you have any thoughts/ideas around neurodiversity, including ways to champion our strengths and support our potential challenges?

Answer: Around 1 in 7 people are neurodiverse which recognises the diversity of different brains and the wide variety of ways we think, learn, feel and process information. Understanding and embracing neurodiversity improves inclusivity for all people and I believe this is something to be celebrated and championed in the veterinary profession. During the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) Congress in 2024, I attended an incredibly interesting veterinary nurse-led workshop on neurodiversity. Through first-hand accounts and professional insight, we learnt how to apply practical applications to practice to support professional and personal development. Small adaptations, such as changing the colour of the text on a sign or supplying different seating for someone who finds it hard to concentrate while sitting still, can have a huge impact on an individual’s ability to feel fulfilled in their role and included in the team.

As an RVN Council member I will challenge perceptions and celebrate differences of being neurodivergent. I will raise awareness of the importance of having a diverse team. I will shine a spotlight on the advantages of being neurodivergent and the talents neurodivergent individuals inherently possess. Being neurodiverse may be perceived to be a barrier to someone who wants to train to be an RVN but I would like to dispel this and widen participation by demonstrating the equality of opportunity in the veterinary profession. With support from education providers, employers and the RCVS every potential student, student RVN and RVN should feel empowered to thrive throughout their whole career.