Entries now open for the 2024 RVC Veterinary Nursing Awards.

Please join in and celebrate the RVC’s amazing Veterinary Nurses.

The second year of the RVC VN Awards continues to bring together and applaud the RVC’s veterinary nursing community to honour and recognise excellence and remarkable achievements.

The awards will showcase and celebrate the RVC’s RVNs and student VNs for their outstanding patient care, commitment, hard work and innovation – veterinary nurses who make a difference every day. RVC Staff and students can nominate inspiring individuals who stand out because they go above and beyond to provide outstanding patient care and leadership, or who enhance our students’ clinical experience.

The awards are for VNs working within the RVC’s three on-campus teaching hospitals:

• Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital
• Equine Referral Hospital
• Queen Mother Hospital for Animals

There are four categories which you can nominate a VN for. Please nominate for as many categories and as many RVC VNs as you like:

• Rising Star Award
• Leading Light Award
• Outstanding Patient Care Award
• Outstanding Student Support (student voted)

Closing date for nominations: Midnight 20th May 2024.

Please note winners from the previous year are not eligible for the current year. (See RVC VN website for last year’s winners).

Rising Star Award

This award recognises a student VN or recently (less than two years) qualified RVN who demonstrates exceptional commitment to developing and enhancing their veterinary nursing skills and who, through their positive attitude and commitment, always strives to improve the quality of their practice. This person always puts patients and colleagues at the heart of everything they do.

We welcome entries from RVNs, P/VCAs, veterinary surgeons and clinical support staff.

• Demonstrated passion for patient care
• Provided excellent support to their Veterinary Nursing colleagues and team
• Consistently striven for best practice
• Used their initiative to have positive impact on patients’ experience, health outcomes and welfare
• Overcome obstacles in a positive and proactive way
• Communicated with others in a highly effective way

Leading Light Award

This award recognises an RVN who leads others by example and who is an exceptional role model for other veterinary nurses. Not only do they demonstrate commitment to ensuring the work they do is of the highest quality, but they also look after all members of their team, motivating them to always do their best. They are always fair and compassionate toward their team members. An RVN who uses their initiative and skills to instigate positive change within their workplace or to develop a new way to deliver better patient care.

We welcome entries from RVNs, P/VCAs, veterinary surgeons and clinical support staff.

• Used initiative to implement innovative approaches to problems or enhance the current situation
• Contributed to team education and training to improve patient care
• Disseminated their knowledge, skills and initiative to their team and/or beyond
• Stood out as an ambassador for the veterinary nursing profession and role model for other VNs
• Been approachable and created a welcoming and inclusive working environment
• Communicated with others in a highly effective way

Outstanding Patient Care Award

This award recognises an RVN who demonstrates exceptional compassion and empathy for their patients, and commitment to developing and providing outstanding patient care. An RVN, who uses their skills, insight and initiative to make a positive impact on the health and welfare of their patients. An RVN who is committed to ensuring patient safety and welfare, and high-quality patient care.

We welcome entries from RVNs, P/VCAs, veterinary surgeons and clinical support staff.

• Demonstrated a passion for veterinary nursing and patient care
• Demonstrated positive impact on patients’ experience, health outcomes and welfare
• Used initiative to implement innovative approaches to patient care
• Contributed to team education and training to improve patient care
• Stood out as an ambassador for the veterinary nursing profession and role model for other VNs
• Consistently striven for best practice
• Communicated with others in a highly effective way

Outstanding Student Support (student voted)

This award recognises an RVN who has enhanced students’ experience within the clinical environment. An individual who has provided outstanding support to students and created a positive learning culture through a friendly and helpful approach. This RVN has helped students feel welcome and has provided guidance and support to facilitate their competency and confidence in clinical work.

We welcome entries from BVetMed and VN undergraduate and postgraduate students.

• Been approachable and created a welcoming and inclusive working environment
• Provided excellent advice to help develop students’ competency and confidence in clinical practice
• Provided a high level of pastoral support for students
• Made students feel supported, motivated and included
• Provided feedback to help students improve in an encouraging and constructive way
• Stood out as a perfect ambassador for the veterinary nursing profession