91Pro

May marks the celebration of Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month (VNAM).

Every year during May, the veterinary profession recognises VNAM, proudly led by the since 2004.

In the association’s 60th year, the campaign continues a theme of ‘Progression’ – reflecting the progress made by the Veterinary Nursing profession in the past 60 years and sharing ambitions for where it could continue to grow in the future.

The campaign aims to champion veterinary nurses, raising awareness of their important role within animal welfare amongst the public. To maximise the spread of awareness to the public, BVNA invites every member of the veterinary profession, along with pet owners and caregivers, to support the campaign.

At Harper Adams, we have dedicated team of Registered Veterinary Nurses leading the teaching of both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

To celebrate VNAM, we aim to share the diverse backgrounds and experiences that shape our roles within the veterinary profession in a series of short staff interviews – with Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing, Helen O’Neill, up first:

Who are you and what role do you play at 91Pro?

My name is Helen O'Neill BSc (Hons) RVN, PgCertHE FHEA, APVN (Avian & Small Mammal) and I am a Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing.

When did you qualify? And what training did you do to achieve your qualifications?

I qualified as an RVN in 2015 from Harper Adams, gaining a degree in Veterinary Nursing and Practice Management. The degree route was challenging (as it should be!) but has opened many doors for me including both clinical and academic career paths.

What does being a Registered Veterinary Nurse mean to you?

Being a Veterinary Nurse is a state of mind and something that I personally feel never leaves you. Once a VN, always a VN, even if your career path moves away from clinical practice. I’ve worked alongside so many inspiring colleagues to better the health and wellbeing of a variety of species.

What have you done recently to progress your knowledge or career path?

Most recently I have completed the Advanced Programme in Veterinary Nursing of Exotic Species (Avian and Small Mammalian.) I thoroughly enjoy sharing what I have learnt with our students, including the latest evidence from the literature. I hope to complete further studies on reptiles in the future.

What do you consider the most rewarding part of teaching the next generation of Veterinary Nurses here at 91Pro?

I find the practical sessions to be the most rewarding aspect of teaching, particularly when a student overcomes a challenging clinical task after considerable effort. I also love to see Harper Adams alumni succeeding in their RVN roles out ‘in the wild’, especially after their years of dedication and perseverance.

As the BVNA celebrates its 60^th year, what do you see for the future of Veterinary Nursing?

It’s no secret that the Veterinary industry is facing a number of challenging and changes. I hope that Veterinary Nursing earns the legal recognition it so rightly deserves, and I hope our student body can help to shape the profession and become a part of its future voice.

What advice would you give someone thinking about a career as a Veterinary Nurse?

Be open to all the opportunities presented to you, even if you are fearful or feel out of your depth. Get work experience within a veterinary practice and see truly what the career entails. Ask current VNs about their job and how they qualified into the profession. Be a sponge and absorb all of the information you are given!

_{To find out more about the Veterinary Nursing profession please visit and to find out more about our Undergraduate Degrees in Veterinary Nursing, click here.}