Newly Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) Holly Hughes, who recently completed the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing with us, is one of our students to have been recognised with the VetSkill OSCE Star Award, celebrating her exceptional performance in the practical assessments that form a key part of veterinary nurse training.
The VetSkill OSCE Star Award is presented to learners who achieve a Pass grade in all 12 of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) stations, demonstrating a high level of competence and professional excellence.
Alongside her veterinary nurse training, Holly has made a significant contribution to patient care, staff development and clinical practice within her veterinary hospital.
Holly has played a key role in introducing peer-led CPR training for colleagues, helping fellow team members build confidence in emergency situations. She has created engaging learning resources, supported CPR training sessions and completed RECOVER Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support and Rescuer courses. Her enthusiasm for the subject has also led to opportunities to support training at external practices and professional events.
As lead of her practice’s Dog Friendly team, Holly has also helped introduce initiatives designed to improve patient experiences and support safer handling. These include a dynamic traffic light system to communicate patients’ emotional and behavioural needs, as well as updated muzzle protocols to improve both welfare and safety. She is also a member of her practice’s Cat Friendly team, supporting improvements that help reduce stress and improve care for feline patients.
Committed to sharing knowledge with others, Holly regularly mentors Patient Care Assistants (PCAs), and contributes to wider PCA training. She is also involved in sustainability initiatives through the practice’s Green Team.
Holly’s dedication to evidence-based practice and continuous improvement has made her a valued member of the team. Reflecting on her role, Holly said: “I like to keep myself busy, stay involved with changing protocols and encourage evidence-based practice as much as possible! I love my role, and truly want all my patients to feel as comfortable as possible, with a team that is as confident as possible!”
Holly’s OSCE Star Award is a well-deserved recognition of her hard work, professionalism and commitment to veterinary nursing.
Interested in training as a veterinary nurse? Find out more here…