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Student Veterinary Nursing Congress

Date TBC

Virtual Event

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What is Student Veterinary Nursing Congress?

Student Veterinary Nursing Congress is a free, one day virtual event that is specifically designed for veterinary nursing students, exploring everything from wellbeing to professional practice.

We are welcoming a range of expert industry speakers to deliver lectures on topics including:

  • A day in the life of an ECC Referral Nurse
  • ECGs Made Easy
  • Wellbeing in the VN Profession
  • OSCE Hints and Tips
  • Critical Writing Skills

Who should attend?

This event is free of charge and is open to anyone currently studying Veterinary Nursing on a diploma, degree or apprenticeship programme, including students currently training with other providers. This congress will be particularly useful if you're a student who is:

  • Looking to gain more confidence in your role in practice
  • Interested in boosting your study skills
  • Revising in preparation for your OSCEs
  • Looking to further develop your nursing skills and knowledge
  • Interested in learning more about your career progression opportunities post-qualification
  • Interested in keeping up-to-date with everything happening in the industry

Please note, this event has limited capacity and tickets are available on a first come first served basis.

Why attend?

  • Listen to lectures from a range of speakers who will be sharing their experiences and knowledge
  • Q&A sessions mean your questions will be answered by the speakers themselves
  • Gain practical takeaways that you can implement in your role
  • Gain online access to recordings of all the lectures and lectures from previous congresses up until the next event
Download the agenda (PDF)

Online Registration

Chair's Welcome

Lauren Norton BSc (Hons) RVN PGDipCAB CertVNECC, The College of Animal Welfare

Introduction from Middlesex University

A day in the life of an ECC Referral Nurse

Kate Nichols PgCert VetEd, DipAVN(Surg), RVN, The Queen Mother Hospital for Animals

This presentation will give an insight into the day in the life of an RVC ECC RVN and the Queen Mother Hospital for Small Animals.

The presentation will give you an overview of the role and responsibility from morning rounds, triage, teaching, medical treatments, preparing for the imminent emergency, communication, evening rounds and emotional support – already to it again the next day.

Gain a deeper understanding of the role of ECC RVN, including:

  • Basic Triage
  • Importance of effective communication
  • Strength of team collaboration

ECGs Made Easy

Courtney Scales DipVN, NCert(Anaesth), PgCertVAA, RVN, Veterinary Anursethesia

Monitoring of an electrocardiogram (ECG) under anaesthesia provides non-invasive information on the electrical activity of the heart and our role as veterinary nurses is to be able to identify abnormal rhythms and pass this information on to the veterinary surgeon.

Identifying abnormal ECG complexes and traces should not be based on memorising what they look like - it should be based on understanding where the normal P-QRS-T complexes and waves arise from in the heart. Once you’re “bored of the normal”, the abnormal ones are easy to spot!

Live Q&A Panel

Present questions (anonymously if desired) to the speakers.

Morning Break

Wellbeing in the VN Profession

Jo Oakden FdSc RVN, Vetlife

This presentation will provide an overview on the importance of looking after your wellbeing and why this is crucial when creating a sustainable career within the veterinary industry. We will also provide an overview of Vetlife - understanding how Vetlife can support you and your peers, as well as how you can support Vetlife.

Live Q&A Panel

Present questions (anonymously if desired) to the speakers.

Lunch Break

Critical Writing Skills

Alison Langridge APVN (Avian&Herp) MSc VetEd PGDip PGCert RVN BA(Hons) FHEA, The College of Animal Welfare

A question that dissertation and project supervisors are commonly asked about is how to build a critically reflective discussion which includes facts but avoids being a purely descriptive piece of writing.

This session is aimed at student veterinary nurses and will explore the differences between descriptive and critically reflective writing as well as how to balance these two aspects in order to build a lively, critically reflective, evidence-based discussion.

OSCE Hints and Tips

Meg Richards FdSc RVN Canine Hydrotherapist

The OSCEs are the final part of the veterinary nursing syllabus and often can feel the most daunting.

In this session, we will discuss hints and tips on how best to prepare for your practical exams, including revision techniques and specific scenario top tips, to help you feel more confident.

As well as this, we will look at time management, self-care and anxiety relieving tips.

Live Q&A Panel

Present questions (anonymously if desired) to the speakers.

Chair's Close

Lauren Norton BSc (Hons) RVN PGDipCAB CertVNECC, The College of Animal Welfare

Closing Recep

Barbara Cooper Hon Assoc RCVS Cert Ed Lic IPD DTM RVN, The College of Animal Welfare

Online Exhibition and Lounges

Please note this programme is subject to change.

Alison LangridgeAlison Langridge APVN (Avian&Herp) MSc VetEd PGDip PGCert RVN BA(Hons) FHEA
The College of Animal Welfare

Alison Langridge qualified as an RVN in 2003 and currently works as an online lecturer for the College of Animal Welfare, teaching and supporting all years of BScVN and Top-Up undergraduates. She has an MSc, Post Graduate Diploma and Certificate in Veterinary Education and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

She has taught veterinary medicine and nursing undergraduates for fourteen years and is currently module leader for three final year elective and Top Up degree modules.

She is a member of the RCVS Ethics Review Panel and is passionate about RVN-led research in practice.

Courtney Scales DipVN, NCert(Anaesth), PgCertVAA, RVN
Veterinary Anursethesia

Courtney is originally from New Zealand where she trained and qualified. She has been working as a veterinary nurse since 2007 and after working in several clinics in New Zealand, an anaesthesia passion took her to Australia in 2015.

In 2016, she moved to the United Kingdom where she most recently worked as an Anaesthesia Registered Veterinary Nurse at the Royal Veterinary College and also as a Clinical Educator in Anaesthesia.

She has written several journal articles and textbook chapters, and enjoys speaking about the practical side of anaesthesia monitoring.

Jo OakdenJo Oakden FdSc RVN
Vetlife

Jo graduated from the RVC in 2008, and after working in a variety of mixed and small animal practice, progressed into leadership roles within the team, whilst remaining a clinical coach to support students starting their veterinary career. Jo was practice manager of a team in Leicestershire, before leaving in 2021 to work for VetPartners as a Business Support Manager, which supports practice teams and individuals to overcome challenges and be the best they can be. Jo was BVNA President in 2020-2021 and is currently a Trustee of Vetlife, having been invited to the Board in November 2022.

Kate NicholsKate Nichols PgCert VetEd, DipAVN(Surg), RVN
The Queen Mother Hospital for Animals

Working with a team of specialist nurses and veterinarians, Kate has been looking after patients requiring emergency and critical care for the past 26 years. During this time, she has been part of many evolutions of the university hospital, contributing to the start-up of enhanced patient treatments including, extracorporeal therapy. Kate’s has a keen interest in patient safety and represents the nursing team on the hospital’s clinical governance and clinical activities groups; the collaboration and openness of these groups have helped evaluate many aspects of clinical practice and improve patient care.

Lauren NortonLauren Norton BSc (Hons) RVN PGDipCAB CertVNECC
The College of Animal Welfare

Lauren graduated from the BSc Veterinary Nursing programme in 2010, and has since worked in small animal general practice and referral. Having completed a Post Graduate Certificate and Diploma, she is currently studying for an MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour, and is an online tutor and module leader on the BSc Veterinary Nursing programme. Lauren is particularly interested in the relationship between pet nutrition and behaviour.

 

Meg Richards Meg Richards FdSc RVN Canine Hydrotherapist

Meg is an RVN and Canine Hydrotherapist working in Cornwall. Meg has a passion for rehab, but also found a love for teaching during lockdown, when she began to lecture online for her local college. This passion has developed into an online platform of student revision webinars and packs which she thoroughly enjoys creating and sharing her hints and tips over on her Instagram, @megthervn.

Meg is passionate about all students receiving the resources and help they need to become the best nurses possible whilst supporting differing learning styles and needs.

CAW Business School

CAW Business School was set up in 2012 to offer business related qualifications. CAW Business School offers a number of highly recognised qualifications including the opportunity to study AAT Accounting, Business Administration, Customer Service, TAQA and ILM leadership and management, and coaching and mentoring courses.

Millpledge Veterinary LogoMillpledge Veterinary

Millpledge Veterinary has been manufacturing innovative products designed specifically for the veterinary professional for over 30 years.

Ranging from Pharmaceuticals to Nutraceuticals, Bandaging and Fluid Therapy, encompassing products for companion and large animal use. Providing complete peace of mind for the veterinary profession.

Popular products include Rapz Eazy Tear® Cohesive Bandages, Eaze-Off® Tape and Bandage Removal Spray, Tom Tiddle™ Urinary Cat Catheters, Millpack™ Sterilisation Pouches with built-in sterility test strips, Aniset™ IV Sets for small and large animals, and V-GEL® advanced species-specific supraglottic airway devices for Rabbits, Cats, and Dogs.

Visit our website at www.millpledge.com to view our full range.

Pet RemedyPet Remedy

Pet Remedy is a natural plant based range of calming products for pets. Easy to use and fast acting. This unique and patented formula is valerian root oil based and is made in the UK.

Pet Remedy works with the pet's own natural calming mechanisms and is suitable for use in all stressful situations. Pet Remedy will also help with developing emotional resilience and wellbeing. Now used by most veterinary practices and rescues on a daily basis. Visit the vet zone on our website and you will see a detailed explanation by Dr Robert Falconer-Taylor (veterinary neuro surgeon and author), about how Pet Remedy works. You will also see links to 9 published studies showing efficacy in multi-species including cat, dog, rabbit, pig and horse.

CAW LogoThe College of Animal Welfare

The College of Animal Welfare is one of the largest providers of veterinary nurse training in the UK, with centres in Cambridgeshire, North London, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, West Midlands, County Durham and Scotland. We strongly believe that education and training is the key to raising standards of animal welfare. To this end, we strive to create new and accessible opportunities for learning, and encourage employers and those working with animals to undertake appropriate levels of training and continue with lifelong learning and education.

VetlifeVetlife

Vetlife is a charity dedicated to supporting the veterinary profession.

Everyone in the veterinary community is welcome to contact the Vetlife Helpline for free, independent and confidential support – including veterinary nurses, veterinary students, and non-clinical staff. The Helpline can be reached on 0303 040 2551 or by anonymous email.

Following contact with the Vetlife Helpline, volunteers can refer those needing further care to our award-winning Vetlife Health Support service which provides mental health support.

Vetlife Financial Support is available for eligible veterinary surgeons, registered veterinary nurses, and their dependants in the UK.

This event is free of charge and is open to anyone currently studying Veterinary Nursing on a diploma, degree, or apprenticeship programme, including students currently training with other providers.

In order to book onto this event, you will need to request a booking link. If you wish to request a booking link, please email admin@caw.ac.uk using your student email address and tell us the name of your training provider.

Please note, this event has limited capacity and tickets are available on a first come first served basis.

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