Maddie: Having grown up around animals, caring for them has always been a big part of my life. This inspired me to pursue a career in veterinary nursing. I am currently in my final year of a three-year Student Veterinary Nurse apprenticeship at Plumpton College. I enjoy developing my skills, gaining hands-on experience and learning from an experienced team. I love being able to make a positive difference to animals’ lives and provide them with the best possible care.

Emily: I’ve always loved animals and wanted a career where I could care for them. I also enjoyed science subjects at school, so veterinary nursing felt like the perfect fit. Shortly after finishing university, I joined the practice and have enjoyed the wide variety of cases we see, which gives me lots of opportunities to learn, develop my skills and continue progressing as a nurse.

Can you give us a feel for life at the practice — the team, the atmosphere and the kinds of cases you see?

Maddie: Life at the practice is varied, with no two days ever the same! We have a lovely team of 9 nurses and 9 vets working across three branches, with Lewes as our main branch. The team has a great mix of experience and knowledge, creating a supportive environment with plenty of opportunities to learn.

We see a varied caseload, from routine procedures such as laparoscopic spays and dentals to more complex cases involving orthopaedics and emergencies. I have had the opportunity to gain experience with cases including GDVs and fracture repairs, helping me continue to develop my skills and confidence as a student veterinary nurse.

Emily: It’s a busy practice where we see a wide range of cases, so every day is different. We have a great team of people who are all really kind, hardworking and supportive, which makes it a lovely place to work and learn.

What’s been the biggest learning curve since starting as a student vet nurse and what do you enjoy most about the role?

Maddie: One of my biggest learning curves has been building confidence in theatre. At first, I found it quite daunting, with so much to learn about different procedures, equipment and my role during surgery. However, with the support and guidance of the nurses and vets, my confidence has grown. I have learnt that asking questions and learning from others is an important part of developing as a student veterinary nurse.

What I enjoy most is being part of a friendly, supportive team and the variety each day brings. My favourite area is kennels, where I love caring for patients, monitoring their progress and making sure they are comfortable. Seeing them recover and go home feeling better is incredibly rewarding.

Looking back over your own career, what’s a memorable experience or achievement that’s stayed with you?

Emily: My biggest achievement has been graduating from the University of Bristol. It took a lot of hard work and dedication, so qualifying as a veterinary nurse is something I’m really proud of.

What does working together look like on a typical day? Can you share an example of something you’ve worked through together?

Maddie: Teamwork is a huge part of everyday life at the practice, with good communication between vets and nurses being essential to providing the best patient care. Everyone supports one another and works together, especially in challenging situations.

One case that stands out was a dog with a pneumothorax following a stitch-up procedure. It really highlighted the importance of teamwork, with nurses managing ventilation and anaesthetic monitoring while the vets focused on surgery. Everyone worked together under pressure to give the patient the best possible care.

Emily: Teamwork is a big part of everyday life, especially in a busy practice. Everyone is always willing to help each other out, share knowledge and support one another. Whether it’s managing a busy theatre list or caring for an unwell patient, we all work together to make sure the animals receive the best possible care.

What does good leadership mean to you and how do you put that into practice day to day?

Emily: Good leadership means being supportive and approachable. Day to day, this involves helping and supporting the student nurses, and making sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. I think it’s important that everyone feels supported and able to learn.

What are you proudest of so far, and how has the support around you helped you get there?

Maddie: I am really proud of how much I have developed throughout my three-year course. The support and encouragement from the nurses and vets have played a huge part in this, always helping me learn, build confidence and try new experiences. I feel very lucky to be part of such a supportive team and wouldn’t be where I am today without them.