The Vet Nurse Skills Podcast

Ep.15 - I'm still, I'm still Beckie in the Bush! (feat. Beckie Barnardt)

In this episode of the Vet Nurse Skills podcast, hosts Amelia Sherwood RVN and Dr Kirsten Rongren welcome Beckie Barnardt to the stage. We'll explore Beckie's journey from small animal emergency nursing (Vets Now) to exotics, zoo work, and full-time wildlife conservation medicine in South Africa since 2022. Becky's story proves an RVN qualification can lead anywhere with determination, continuous learning, and openness to the unknown. Listeners are inspired to pursue wildlife or exotic paths via zoos, volunteering, or her African Legends Wildlife Services experiences. The episode concludes that collaboration elevates the profession, encouraging nurses to embrace risks, reject complacency, and contribute to global conservation while uplifting others.

Ep.14 - From SQP to RVN to CPD (feat. Emma Gerrard)

In this episode of the Vet Nurse Skills podcast, hosts Amelia Sherwood RVN and Dr Kirsten Rongren speak with Emma Gerrard - an experienced RVN whose 20-plus-year career has spanned clinical practice, leadership, and education. Emma traces her journey from a pre-vet nursing course in 2003 through specialising in theatre nursing and orthopaedics, earning her BVNA infection control certificate, and taking on SQP qualifications in both small animal and farm practice. A recurring theme is the power of saying "yes" — from writing articles in the VN Times to volunteering with the BSAVA, becoming the first vet nurse to serve as a regional chair, and editing the BSAVA Pocketbook for Veterinary Nurses. After experiencing burnout following 23 years in clinical practice, Emma pivoted into education, first lecturing online with the College of Animal Welfare before joining Aberystwyth University, where she now teaches on a growing vet nursing degree programme with purpose-built clinic facilities. The conversation also touches on the underutilisation of the SQP qualification in practice, the importance of proactive teamwork between nurses and vets, and hopes for legislative reform that would create clearer pathways for specialist and prescribing nurse roles — drawing comparisons with human healthcare models.

Ep.13 - The More Testicles I See, the Better I'll Be! (feat. Courtney Scales)

In this episode, we’re joined by the incredible Courtney Scales, RVN, veterinary anaesthesia educator, clinical nurse, and the force behind Veterinary Anursethesia. Courtney shares her refreshingly honest and often hilarious journey into vet nursing, from fainting during her very first shadowing shift (“it was just a German shepherd castrate and I fainted”) to becoming one of the most recognisable voices in anaesthesia education. This episode is packed with inspiration, humour, practical wisdom, and a celebration of non‑linear career paths, all while championing the importance of finding your voice as a veterinary nurse.

Ep.12 - Have I Completed Nursing? Not Even Close! (feat. Laura Jones)

In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Laura Jones, RVN, VTS, senior medical nurse at the Ralph and founder of the Medical Nursing Academy. Laura shares her incredible journey from accidentally discovering internal medicine nursing to creating a thriving educational platform that supports nurses worldwide. Discover how she transformed feelings of isolation and imposter syndrome into a mission to showcase what's truly possible for veterinary nurses in medical roles - from running blood transfusions and placing central lines to coordinating complex patient care. Laura opens up about the realities of referral nursing, offers practical advice for nurses considering the leap from general practice, and reveals the behind-the-scenes work of building courses, podcasts, and social media content (with a little help from Heidi, her very real virtual assistant!).

Ep.11 - Pregnant Pauses and Presidential Pressures (feat. Lyndsay Hughes)

In this month's extended episode we are extremely lucky to be joined by a truly inspirational member of the veterinary nursing profession - outgoing BVNA President, Lyndsay Hughes. In this episode, we'll cover: * Lyndsay's journey into veterinary nursing * Overcoming health challenges and gaining leadership experience * Becoming a director and overcoming imposter syndrome * The role of the BVNA president and the work behind the scenes * Challenges in nurse utilisation and the reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act * Importance of communication and advocating for the nursing profession