ÎÞÂ붯»­

As Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month draws to a close tomorrow, we’re taking a moment to reflect and celebrate. 

Every May, the veterinary community comes together to mark VNAM – a campaign championed by the   since 2004.

This year, as the BVNA celebrates its 60th anniversary, the theme has been progression – and has looked at how far the Veterinary Nursing profession has come in the past 60 years – as well as where it could grow in the future.

Throughout the month, we’ve been catching up with our lecturers and technicians in the ÎÞÂ붯»­ Veterinary Nursing team to hear what the profession means to them.

Our First Year students also celebrated completing their first year with a picnic, organised by Clinical Educator and First Year VN Course Tutor, Joanne Ashcroft and Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Science, Fay Bithell as the students head off to their summer placements.

Helen O'Neill - Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing

"I find the practical sessions to be the most rewarding aspect of teaching, particularly when a student overcomes a challenging clinical task after considerable effort. I also love to see Harper Adams alumni succeeding in their RVN roles out ‘in the wild’, especially after their years of dedication and perseverance."

Read Helen’s story here. 

Charlie Wright - Clinical Educator in Veterinary Nursing

"[My advice would be to] spend some time in veterinary practice first, to gain an understanding of the role. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to the veterinary team. You do not have to wholeheartedly love every single aspect of nursing, but if you enjoy science and care about animals then this is a great profession to explore."

Read Charlie’s story here. 

Lucy Evans - Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing

"I hope that the Veterinary Nurse profession follows in the footsteps of human nursing by allowing specialisms on an official basis, therefore giving RVNs more responsibility in those areas that they are trained in. The aim being to improve job satisfaction within the profession and thus long-term retention."

Read Lucy’s story here. 

Amelia Hubbard - Clinical Educator in Veterinary Nursing

"I find teaching the next generation really rewarding as I love imparting the knowledge I have gained in my years as an RVN. As an RVN you never stop learning, and I am keen to share my knowledge with new graduating VNs."

Read Amelia’s story here. 

Joanne Ashcroft - Clinical Educator and First Year Course Tutor in Veterinary Nursing

"As part of my role, I am the first year Veterinary Nursing Course Tutor and I support students through their first academic year of undergraduate study. Seeing our students achieve their goals is really rewarding – whether it be handing in an assignment or the end goal of graduating – it is something that we can all celebrate, and it is amazing to see what students can achieve."

Read Joanne’s story here. 

Each year, our First Year students come together for their last course tutor session of the year to celebrate with a picnic. We also spoke to some of them during the celebrations to find out what they've enjoyed about their time at Harper Adams so far.

Clinical Educator at ÎÞÂ붯»­, Joanne Ashcroft said: "For our final course tutor session for our First Years, Fay Bithell and I, would like to take the opportunity to celebrate the students successes, wish them luck with their last exams of the year and give best wishes for their upcoming 10 week summer placement.

Summer placement is an exciting opportunity for the first year VNs as this is their first time in practice as a Student Veterinary Nurse (SVN)."

"There has been quite a lot of practical elements to the course which has been very enjoyable and helped with learning and understanding. The lecturers have also been amazing." -  Courtney Cox 

"I've enjoyed our practical sessions on the course, and also all the lovely friends I've made through vet nursing already!"- India Gibson (left)

"I have enjoyed meeting new people and forming new friendships. Learning about some of the tasks VNs are required to carry out and how to carry them out and meeting some of the lecturers animals." - Anneka Clegg 

"I have enjoyed the practicals and tutorials of the course, working with the animals and also meeting new people with similar interests to me!" - Megan Henry-Crossland

To find out more about the Veterinary Nursing profession please visit  and to find out more about our Undergraduate Degrees in Veterinary Nursing, click here.